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At least 1,603 records · Page 89

A CENSUS OF MID-INFRARED-SELECTED ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI IN MASSIVE GALAXY CLUSTERS AT 0 {approx}< z {approx}< 1.3

We conduct a deep mid-infrared (mid-IR) census of nine massive galaxy clusters at (0 < z < 1.3) with a total of {approx}1500 spectroscopically confirmed member galaxies using Spitzer/IRAC photometry and established mid-IR color selection techniques. Of the 949 cluster galaxies that are detected in at least three of the four IRAC channels at the {>=}3{sigma} level, we identify 12 that host mid-IR-selected active galactic nuclei (IR-AGNs). To compare the IR-AGNs across our redshift range, we define two complete samples of cluster galaxies: (1) optically selected members with rest-frame V{sub AB} magnitude < - 21.5 and (2) mid-IR-selected members brighter than (M*{sub 3.6} + 0.5), i.e., essentially a stellar mass cut. In both samples, we measure f{sub IR-AGN} {approx} 1% with a strong upper limit of {approx}3% at z < 1. This uniformly low IR-AGN fraction at z < 1 is surprising given that the fraction of 24 {mu}m sources in the same galaxy clusters is observed to increase by about a factor of four from z {approx} 0 to z {approx} 1; this indicates that most of the detected 24 {mu}m flux is due to star formation. Only in our single galaxy cluster at z = 1.24 is the IR-AGN fraction measurably higher at {approx}15% (all members; {approx}70% for late-types only). In agreement with recent studies, we find that the cluster IR-AGNs are predominantly hosted by late-type galaxies with blue optical colors, i.e., members with recent/ongoing star formation. The four brightest IR-AGNs are also X-ray sources; these IR+X-ray AGNs all lie outside the cluster core (R{sub proj} {approx}> 0.5 Mpc) and are hosted by highly morphologically disturbed members. Although our sample is limited, our results suggest that f{sub IR-AGN} in massive galaxy clusters is not strongly correlated with star formation at z < 1 and that IR-AGNs have a more prominent role at z {approx}> 1.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Mineralogy, fabric and deformation domains in D" across the southwestern border of the African LLSVP

Recent advances in seismic anisotropy studies that jointly use reflections and shear wave splitting have proven to place tight constraints on the plausible anisotropic and deformation scenarios in the D" region. We apply this novel methodology to a large area of the D" region beneath the South Atlantic, in proximity to and within the African large low seismic velocity province (LLSVP). This area of the mantle is characterized by a transition from fast to slow seismic velocity anomalies and it is thought to be the location of deep-seated plumes responsible for hotspot volcanism. Attempting to probe mantle composition and deformation along the LLSVP borders may provide key information on mantle dynamics. By analysing seismic phases sampling this region, we detect a D" discontinuity over a large area beneath the South Atlantic, with inferred depth ranges ~170 to ~240 km above the core–mantle boundary. We find evidence for a D" reflector within the area of the LLSVP. Shear wave splitting observations suggest that anisotropy is present in this region of the mantle, in agreement with previous studies that partially sampled this region. We model the observations considering lattice- and shape-preferred orientation of materials expected in the D" region. A regional variation of mineralogy, phase transition boundaries, and deformation direction is required to explain the data. We infer two distinct domains of mineralogy and deformation: aligned post-perovskite outside the LLSVP and aligned bridgmanite within the LLSVP. Finally, the scenario depicted by this study agrees well with the current hypotheses for the composition of the LLSVP and with the prevalence of vertical deformation directions expected to occur along the LLSVPs borders.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Dynamic strength of iron under pressure-temperature conditions of Earth’s inner core

Iron (Fe) is a primary constituent of terrestrial planetary cores, yet its rheological properties under extreme conditions remain uncertain. Here we present direct measurements of Fe strength at 310-430 GPa pressures and 3700-5800 K temperatures, obtained using Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability experiments at the National Ignition Facility. Single-crystal α-Fe samples with [001] and [111] orientations are shock-ramp compressed past the α-ε transition along paths approaching Earth’s inner core conditions. We find that ε-Fe derived from [001] α-Fe is consistently stronger (11-20 GPa) than that from [111] α-Fe (8-18 GPa), contrary to the trend at ambient conditions. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations reproduce this atypical strength anisotropy and attribute it to microstructural evolution during the phase transition and subsequent ε-phase plasticity. Ripple growth analysis further constrains viscosities of 100-170 Pa·s under the driven conditions. Our results provide experimental benchmarks for Fe rheology at inner-core conditions, with implications for seismic anisotropy and the geodynamo.

Condensed-matter physics↗

HST observations of globular clusters in M 31. 1: Surface photometry of 13 objects

We present the initial results of a study of globular clusters in M 31, using the Faint Object Camera (FOC) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The sample of objects consists of 13 clusters spanning a range of properties. Three independent image deconvolution techniques were used in order to compensate for the optical problems of the HST, leading to mutually fully consistent results. We present detailed tests and comparisons to determine the reliability and limits of these deconvolution methods, and conclude that high-quality surface photometry of M 31 globulars is possible with the HST data. Surface brightness profiles have been extracted, and core radii, half-light radii, and central surface brightness values have been measured for all of the clusters in the sample. Their comparison with the values from ground-based observations indicates the later to be systematically and strongly biased by the seeing effects, as it may be expected. A comparison of the structural parameters with those of the Galactic globulars shows that the structural properties of the M 31 globulars are very similar to those of their Galactic counterparts. A candidate for a post-core-collapse cluster, Bo 343 = G 105, has been already identified from these data; this is the first such detection in the M 31 globular cluster system.

Pecci, F. Fusi↗

Bright, Mechanosensitive Upconversion with Cubic-Phase Heteroepitaxial Core–Shell Nanoparticles

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles are an emerging class of optical sensors, exhibiting sharp emission peaks, high signal-to-noise ratio, photostability, and a ratiometric color response to stress. The same centrosymmetric crystal field environment that allows for high mechanosensitivity in the cubic-phase (α), however, contributes to low upconversion quantum yield (UCQY). In this work, we engineer brighter mechanosensitive upconverters using a core–shell geometry. Sub-25 nm α-NaYF 4 :Yb,Er cores are shelled with an optically inert surface passivation layer of ~4.5 nm thickness. Using different shell materials, including NaGdF 4 , NaYF 4 , and NaLuF 4 , we study how compressive to tensile strain influences the nanoparticles’ imaging and sensing properties. All core–shell nanoparticles exhibit enhanced UCQY, up to 0.14% at 150 W/cm 2 , which rivals the efficiency of unshelled hexagonal-phase (β) nanoparticles. Additionally, strain at the core–shell interface can tune mechanosensitivity. In particular, the compressive Gd shell results in the largest color response from yellow-green to orange or, quantitatively, a change in the red to green ratio of 12.2 ± 1.2% per GPa. For all samples, the ratiometric readouts are consistent over three pressure cycles from ambient to 5 GPa. Furthermore, heteroepitaxial shelling significantly improves signal brightness without compromising the core’s mechano-sensing capabilities and further, promotes core–shell cubic-phase nanoparticles as upcoming in vivo and in situ optical sensors.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

A review of imputation strategies for isobaric labeling-based shotgun proteomics

The throughput efficiency and increased depth of coverage provided by isobaric-labeled proteomics measurements have led to increased usage of these techniques. However, the structure of missing data is uniquely different than unlabeled studies. In this review, we compare the efficacy of nine imputation methods on a CPTAC proteomics iTRAQ dataset. Imputation methods were evaluated with regard to accuracy, variability, statistical hypothesis test inference and run time over datasets consisting of varying number of iTRAQ plexes and percentages of missing data. In general, expectation maximization and random forest imputation methods yielded the best performances, and constant-based methods performed poorly consistently across all dataset sizes and percentages of missing values. For datasets with small sample sizes and higher percentages of missing data, results indicate that statistical inference with no imputation may be preferable. Based on the findings in this review, there are core imputation methods that perform higher for isobaric-labeled proteomics data, but great care and consideration as to whether imputation should be used should be given for datasets comprised of a small number of samples, as well as to factors such as computational time and reproducibility of imputation values.

Bramer, Lisa M.↗

Development and evaluation of a device for simultaneous uniaxial compression and optical imaging of cartilage samples in vitro

In this paper, we present a system that allows imaging of cartilage tissue via optical coherence tomography (OCT) during controlled uniaxial unconfined compression of cylindrical osteochondral cores in vitro. We describe the system design and conduct a static and dynamic performance analysis. While reference measurements yield a full scale maximum deviation of 0.14% in displacement, force can be measured with a full scale standard deviation of 1.4%. The dynamic performance evaluation indicates a high accuracy in force controlled mode up to 25 Hz, but it also reveals a strong effect of variance of sample mechanical properties on the tracking performance under displacement control. In order to counterbalance these disturbances, an adaptive feed forward approach was applied which finally resulted in an improved displacement tracking accuracy up to 3 Hz. A built-in imaging probe allows on-line monitoring of the sample via OCT while being loaded in the cultivation chamber. We show that cartilage topology and defects in the tissue can be observed and demonstrate the visualization of the compression process during static mechanical loading.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

CO Spectral Line Energy Distributions in Galactic Sources: Empirical Interpretation of Extragalactic Observations

The relative populations in rotational transitions of CO can be useful for inferring gas conditions and excitation mechanisms at work in the interstellar medium. We present CO emission lines from rotational transitions observed with Herschel /HIFI in the star-forming cores Orion S, Orion KL, Sgr B2(M), and W49N. Integrated line fluxes from these observations are combined with those from Herschel /PACS observations of the same sources to construct CO spectral line energy distributions (SLEDs) from 5≤ J{sub u} ≤ 48. These CO SLEDs are compared to those reported in other galaxies, with the intention of empirically determining which mechanisms dominate excitation in such systems. We find that CO SLEDs in Galactic star-forming cores cannot be used to reproduce those observed in other galaxies, although the discrepancies arise primarily as a result of beam filling factors. The much larger regions sampled by the Herschel beams at distances of several megaparsecs contain significant amounts of cooler gas, which dominate the extragalactic CO SLEDs, in contrast to observations of Galactic star-forming regions, which are focused specifically on cores containing primarily hot molecular gas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Water as the Solvent in the Stober Process for Forming Ultrafine Silica Shells on Magnetite Nanoparticles

Silica coating of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) is of great importance since it offers MNPs stability against oxidation, water dispersity, and a tailorable surface for functionalities, allowing a wide range of applications in areas such as water pollutant removal and targeted drug delivery. In this work, a simple and green procedure has been developed using water, instead of traditional alcohols, as the solvent in the Stober method to produce well-dispersed MNPs coated with ultrathin (< 5 nm) silica outer shells. The resultant core-shell structures possess superparamagnetic properties, high magnetization value of 59 emu/g, and excellent resistance to oxidation when exposed to ultrasonic accelerated oxidation. The oxidation stability of the coated 2 MNPs is shown to extend to their functionalized product. All syntheses are carried out under ambient conditions using commonly available chemicals and equipment. In conclusion, the Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 core-shell structures are characterized using FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Detuned synchronized waveform averaging for reducing distortions due to sample interleaving

This invention introduces a method for optimally detuning the ratio of analog-to-digital (ADC) sample rate and trigger rate during waveform averaging to minimize the deleterious effects from sample interleaving. A prescription is described for determining the optimal detuning factor for the ADC or trigger rate in any scenario, depending on the number of ADC cores used and the limited tuning resolution of the clock rates for a specific implementation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Iron oxide nanoparticles: the Influence of synthesis method and size on composition and magnetic properties

Iron oxide nanoparticles with mean diameter ranging from 7 to 20 nm were synthesized using two routes: the precipitation method in controlled atmosphere and a reduction–precipitation method under air, in some cases followed by a hydrothermal treatment. The smallest nanoparticles were obtained by the reduction–precipitation method. In order to establish the composition of the iron oxide nanoparticles and its relation with size, the morphological, structural and magnetic properties of the prepared samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Mössbauer spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry. The results allow to conclude that the nanoparticles can be essentially described as Fe 3–x O₄, x decreasing with the particle size increase. The composition and magnetic behavior of the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles are directly related with their size. The overall results are compatible with a core@shell structure model, where a magnetite core is surrounded by an oxidized magnetite layer (labeled as maghemite), the magnetite core dimension depending on the average particle size. - Graphical abstract: TEM images and Mössbauer spectroscopy spectra of Fe 3–x O₄ samples with different sizes. Highlights: • Fe 3–x O₄ nanoparticles with a mean size between 7 and 20 nm were synthesized. • The smallest nanoparticles were obtained by a reduction precipitation method, under air. • The increase of particles size was succeeded using a hydrothermal treatment at 150 °C. • The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles are directly related with their size.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nuclear data uncertainty propagation and modeling uncertainty impact evaluation in neutronics core simulation

Uncertainty analysis is a critical requirement in reactor simulation as it is used to quantify the reliability of best-estimate calculation. A comprehensive uncertainty analysis should characterize all sources of uncertainties in a computationally-feasible and scientifically-defendable manner. Here we employ a well-established reduced order modeling (ROM) based uncertainty quantification methodology to propagate uncertainties throughout neutronic calculations. ROM relies on recent advances in randomized data mining techniques applied to large data streams. In our proposed implementation, the nuclear data uncertainties are first propagated from multi-group level through lattice physics calculation to generate few-group parameter uncertainties, described using a vector of mean values and a covariance matrix. Employing an ROM-based compression of the covariance matrix, the few-group uncertainties are then propagated through downstream core simulation in a computationally efficient manner. This straightforward approach, albeit efficient as compared to brute force forward and/or adjoint-based methods, often employs a number of assumptions that have been unquestioned in the literature of neutronic uncertainty analysis. This manuscript argues that these assumptions could introduce another source of uncertainty referred to as modeling uncertainties, whose magnitude needs to be quantified in tandem with nuclear data uncertainties. Thus, our primary goal is to explore the interactions between these two uncertainty sources in order to assess whether modeling uncertainties have an impact on parameter uncertainties. To explore this endeavor, the impact of a number of modeling assumptions on core attributes uncertainties is quantified. The study employs a CANDU reactor model, with Serpent and NEWT as lattice physics solvers and NESTLE-C as core simulator. The modeling assumptions investigated include those related with the uncertainty propagation method employed, e.g., deterministic vs. stochastic, the few-group energy structure employed to represent the cross-sections, the resonance treatment in lattice physics calculation, the reference values for the cross-section, and the number of samples employed to render ROM compression. Results indicate that some of the modeling assumptions could have a non-negligible impact on the core responses propagated uncertainties, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to combine parameter and modeling uncertainties.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Sampling Approaches for Multi-Domain Internet Performance Measurement Infrastructures

The next-generation of high-performance networks being developed in DOE communities are critical for supporting current and emerging data-intensive science applications. The goal of this project is to investigate multi-domain network status sampling techniques and tools to measure/analyze performance, and thereby provide “network awareness” to end-users and network operators in DOE communities. We leverage the infrastructure and datasets available through perfSONAR, which is a multi-domain measurement framework that has been widely deployed in high-performance computing and networking communities; the DOE community is a core developer and the largest adopter of perfSONAR. Our investigations include development of semantic scheduling algorithms, measurement federation policies, and tools to sample multi-domain and multi-layer network status within perfSONAR deployments. We validate our algorithms and policies with end-to-end measurement analysis tools for various monitoring objectives such as network weather forecasting, anomaly detection, and fault-diagnosis. In addition, we develop a multi-domain architecture for an enterprise-specific perfSONAR deployment that can implement monitoring-objective based sampling and that adheres to any domain-specific measurement policies.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Magnetic properties of two-dimensional nanodots: Ground state and phase transition

We study the effect of perpendicular single-ion anisotropy, −As{sub z}{sup 2}, on the ground-state structure and finite-temperature properties of a two-dimensional magnetic nanodot in presence of a dipolar interaction of strength D. By a simulated annealing Monte Carlo method, we show that in the ground state a vortex core perpendicular to the nanodot plane emerges already in the range of moderate anisotropy values above a certain threshold level. In the giant-anisotropy regime the vortex structure is superseded by a stripe domain structure with stripes of alternate domains perpendicular to the surface of the sample. We have also observed an intermediate stage between the vortex and stripe structures, with satellite regions of tilted nonzero perpendicular magnetization around the core. At finite temperatures, at small A, we show by Monte Carlo simulations that there is a transition from the the in-plane vortex phase to the disordered phase characterized by a peak in the specific heat and the vanishing vortex order parameter. At stronger A, we observe a discontinuous transition with a large latent heat from the in-plane vortex phase to perpendicular stripe ordering phase before a total disordering at higher temperatures. In the regime of perpendicular stripe domains, namely with giant A, there is no phase transition at finite T: the stripe domains are progressively disordered with increasing T. Finite-size effects are shown and discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Assembly and seasonality of core phyllosphere microbiota on perennial biofuel crops

Abstract Perennial grasses are promising feedstocks for biofuel production, with potential for leveraging their native microbiomes to increase their productivity and resilience to environmental stress. Here, we characterize the 16S rRNA gene diversity and seasonal assembly of bacterial and archaeal microbiomes of two perennial cellulosic feedstocks, switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) and miscanthus ( Miscanthus x giganteus ). We sample leaves and soil every three weeks from pre-emergence through senescence for two consecutive switchgrass growing seasons and one miscanthus season, and identify core leaf taxa based on occupancy. Virtually all leaf taxa are also detected in soil; source-sink modeling shows non-random, ecological filtering by the leaf, suggesting that soil is an important reservoir of phyllosphere diversity. Core leaf taxa include early, mid, and late season groups that were consistent across years and crops. This consistency in leaf microbiome dynamics and core members is promising for microbiome manipulation or management to support crop production.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Radio observations of a sample of broad-line type Ic supernovae discovered by PTF/IPTF: a search for relativistic explosions

Long duration γ-ray bursts are a rare subclass of stripped-envelope core-collapse supernovae (SNe) that launch collimated relativistic outflows (jets). All γ-ray-burst-associated SNe are spectroscopically Type Ic, with broad-lines, but the fraction of broad-lined SNe Ic harboring low-luminosity γ-ray bursts remains largely unconstrained. Some SNe should be accompanied by off-axis γ-ray burst jets that initially remain invisible, but then emerge as strong radio sources (as the jets decelerate). However, this critical prediction of the jet model for γ-ray bursts has yet to be verified observationally. Here, we present K. G. Jansky Very Large Array observations of 15 broad-lined SNe of Type Ic discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory in an untargeted manner. Most of the SNe in our sample exclude radio emission observationally similar to that of the radio-loud, relativistic SN 1998bw. We constrain the fraction of 1998bw-like broad-lined SNe Ic to be ≲41% (99.865% confidence). Most of the events in our sample also exclude off-axis jets similar to GRB 031203 and GRB 030329, but we cannot rule out off-axis γ-ray bursts expanding in a low-density wind environment. Three SNe in our sample are detected in the radio. PTF11qcj and PTF14dby show late-time radio emission with average ejecta speeds of ≈0.3–0.4 c, on the dividing line between relativistic and “ordinary” SNe. The speed of PTF11cmh radio ejecta is poorly constrained. We estimate that ≲85% (99.865% confidence) of the broad-lined SNe Ic in our sample may harbor off-axis γ-ray bursts expanding in media with densities in the range probed by this study.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

ULTRAVIOLET PROPERTIES OF GALACTIC GLOBULAR CLUSTERS WITH GALEX. I. THE COLOR-MAGNITUDE DIAGRAMS

We present Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) data for 44 Galactic globular clusters (GCs) obtained during three GALEX observing cycles between 2004 and 2008. This is the largest homogeneous data set on the UV photometric properties of Galactic GCs ever collected. The sample selection and photometric analysis are discussed, and color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) are presented. The blue and intermediate-blue horizontal branch is the dominant feature of the UV CMDs of old Galactic GCs. Our sample is large enough to display the remarkable variety of horizontal branch shapes found in old stellar populations. Other stellar types that are obviously detected are blue stragglers and post-core-He burning stars. The main features of UV CMDs of Galactic GCs are briefly discussed. We establish the locus of post-core-He burning stars in the UV CMD and present a catalog of candidate asymptotic giant branch (AGB), AGB-manque, post early-AGB, and post-AGB stars within our cluster sample.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The NaK Population: A 2019 Status

The statistical debris measurement campaigns conducted by the Haystack Ultrawideband Satellite Imaging Radar (HUSIR) on behalf of the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office are used to characterize the long-term behavior of the small, low Earth orbit (LEO) orbital debris environment. A long-recognized, unique component of the LEO environment is composed of small Sodium-Potassium (NaK) eutectic nuclear reactor coolant droplets associated with the Soviet Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellite (RORSAT) program. Beginning with the flight of Cosmos 1176, RORSAT vehicles would nominally separate their reactor core at end of mission, thereby venting the NaK coolant and producing the NaK droplet population. In this paper, we describe the methodology by which NaK are segregated from the statistically sampled general debris population and their sizes inferred; the current NaK environment; how it has changed over time; and a potential new source of NaK: RORSAT vehicles that did not separate their reactor core by either design or apparent malfunction.

Matney, Mark↗