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At least 19 records

The utilization of abelian point group symmetry in the graphical unitary group approach to the calculation of correlated electronic wavefunctions

A procedure is described for the utilization of abelian point group symmetry in the graphical unitary group approach (GUGA) to calculations of correlated electronic wavefunctions. The procedure is based on a recursively computed set of symmetry dependent counting indices, and results in the separate numbering, without gaps, of the Gelfand states (configuration functions) belonging to each symmetry species

Shavitt, I.↗

NASA Pathways Co-op Tour Johnson Space Center Fall 2013

This report outlines the tasks and objectives completed during a co‐operative education tour with National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA) at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. I worked for the Attitude & Pointing group of the Flight Dynamics Division within the Mission Operations Directorate at Johnson Space Center. NASA's primary mission is to support and expand the various ongoing space exploration programs and any research and development activities associated with it. My primary project required me to develop and a SharePoint web application for my group. My secondary objective was to become familiar with the role of my group which was primarily to provide spacecraft attitude and line of sight determination, including Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) communications coverage for various NASA, International, and commercial partner spacecraft. My projects required me to become acquainted with different software systems, fundamentals of aerospace engineering, project management, and develop essential interpersonal communication skills. Overall, I accomplished multiple goals which included laying the foundations for an updated SharePoint which will allow for an organized platform to communicate and share data for group members and external partners. I also successfully learned about the operations of the Attitude & Pointing Group and how it contributes to the Missions Operations Directorate and NASA's Space Program as a whole

Masood, Amir↗

A redshift survey of IRAS galaxies. V - The acceleration on the Local Group

The acceleration on the Local Group is calculated based on a full-sky redshift survey of 5288 galaxies detected by IRAS. A formalism is developed to compute the distribution function of the IRAS acceleration for a given power spectrum of initial perturbations. The computed acceleration on the Local Group points 18-28 deg from the direction of the Local Group peculiar velocity vector. The data suggest that the CMB dipole is indeed due to the motion of the Local Group, that this motion is gravitationally induced, and that the distribution of IRAS galaxies on large scales is related to that of dark matter by a simple linear biasing model.

Strauss, Michael A.↗

Some Aspects of the Implementation of Double Group Symmetry and Electron Correlation in Molecular 4-Component Calculations

The efficient implementation of method for electron correlation in molecular 4-component calculations demands that symmetry be exploited where possible. Algorithms for the construction of matrices and the transformation of integrals over symmetry-adapted basis functions, where the point group is restricted to D(sub 2h) and subgroups, will be presented. The merits of keeping the primitive integrals in the scalar basis will be compared with those of transforming them to the 2-spinor basis.

Dyall, Kenneth G.↗

Ar-40-Ar-39 Age of an Impact-Melt Lithology in Lunar Meteorite Dhofar 961

The Dhofar 961 lunar meteorite was found in 2003 in Oman. It is texturally paired with Dhofar 925 and Dhofar 960 (though Dhofar 961 is more mafic and richer in incompatible elements). Several lines of reasoning point to the South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA) basin as a plausible source (Figure 2): Mafic character of the melt-breccia lithic clasts consistent the interior of SPA, rules out feldspathic highlands. Compositional differences from Apollo impact-melt groups point to a provenance that is separated and perhaps far distant from the Procellarum KREEP Terrane SPA "hot spots" where Th concentrations reach 5 ppm and it has a broad "background" of about 2 ppm, similar to lithic clasts in Dhofar 961 subsamples If true, impact-melt lithologies in this meteorite may be unaffected by the Imbrium-forming event that is pervasively found in our Apollo sample collection, and instead record the early impact history of the Moon.

Impact-Melt Lithology↗

[Characteristics of morphogenesis of the Japanese quail embryos during microgravity]

Experiments performed in the period of 1995-1996 cooperatively with US investigators within the MIR/SHUTTLE and MIR/NASA space science projects continued exploration of avian embryogenesis in microgravity. Evaluation of Japanese quail embryos incubated in spaceflight microgravity showed that for the most part they were normally developed and compliant with duration of incubation. One of the major morphometric characteristics of embryo are its mass and size. Comparative analysis of body mass values in the space and laboratory and synchronous control groups pointed to a slight retardation. Body length of space embryos mimicked their mass curve. Data on the dynamics of mass and length of Japanese quail embryos support the well-known theory according to which growth and formation are distinguished by equifinality. No differences were revealed by the investigations of individual parts of embryonic bodies in the space and control groups. However, this finding was true only with regard to the embryos that had no developmental abnormalities. A part of embryos had defective eyes (microphtalmia), limbs (twisted fingers), and beaks.

manned↗

Crystallography of decahedral and icosahedral particles. I - Geometry of twinning

The crystal structure of the tetrahedral twins in multiply-twinned particles with decahedral and icosahedral point group symmetries has been examined and correlated with the face-centered cubic structure. Details on the crystal structure as well as the geometrical relationships among twins in each particle are presented. These crystallographic facts serve as a basis for the interpretation of small particle images obtained with advanced methods of transmission electron microscopy.

Yang, C. Y.↗

Electronic levels and charge distribution near the interface of nickel

The energy levels in clusters of nickel atoms were investigated by means of a series of cluster calculations using both the multiple scattering and computational techniques (designated SSO) which avoids the muffin-tin approximation. The point group symmetry of the cluster has significant effect on the energy of levels nominally not occupied. This influences the electron transfer process during chemisorption. The SSO technique permits the approaching atom or molecule plus a small number of nickel atoms to be treated as a cluster. Specifically, molecular levels become more negative in the O atom, as well as in a CO molecule, as the metal atoms are approached. Thus, electron transfer from the nickel and bond formation is facilitated. This result is of importance in understanding chemisorption and catalytic processes.

Waber, J. T.↗

Nonlinear upper hybrid drift waves for a longitudinal electric field perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field in the Vlasov-Maxwell approximation

Upper hybrid drift waves are found as a special solution to a Vlasov-Maxwell plasma which has a longitudinal electric field and a perpendicular uniform magnetic field. A single-species plasma with a constant-density mobile neutralizing background supports spatially varying disturbances that oscillate at the upper hybrid frequency. The general functional dependences of the electric field, the plasma number density, and the one-particle distribution function for the special case are found from more general Vlasov-Maxwell equations invariant under a Lie group point transformation. The one-particle distribution function for the plasma is a function of the Liouville invariant, which is the energy in the generalized Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal (BGK) reference frame, and the momentum in the drift direction.

Abraham-Shrauner, B.↗

Symmetry and equivalence restrictions in electronic structure calculations

A simple method for obtaining MCSCF orbitals and CI natural orbitals adapted to degenerate point groups, with full symmetry and equivalnece restrictions, is described. Among several advantages accruing from this method are the ability to perform atomic SCF calculations on states for which the SCF energy expression cannot be written in terms of Coulomb and exchange integrals over real orbitals, and the generation of symmetry-adapted atomic natural orbitals for use in a recently proposed method for basis set contraction.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗

A re-analysis of the spectrum of 2206-199

Recently Pettini, Hunstead, Smith and Mar, (PHSM 1991) performed an analysis of the Ly-alpha forest of QSO 2206-199N at very high resolution. On the basis of their observations they concluded that most Doppler parameters b = (square root of 2)(sigma) of Ly-alpha forest lines are below 22 km/s, with a range down to a few km/s and a median of 17 km/s. They also found a strong intrinsic correlation between Doppler parameter b and column density N. These results are in contrast to those of a similar study by Carswell, Lanzetta, Parnell, and Webb (CLPW 1991) at comparable resolution with the same instruments, who find that most of the Ly-alpha lines towards QSO 1100-264 have Doppler parameters above 15 km/s (median b = 34 km/s), and that there is no significant correlation between b and N. Whilst an intrinsic difference between the lines of sight to 2206-199 and to other QSO's can not be excluded a priori, previous disagreement between Doppler parameter estimates obtained by both groups pointed to a potential difference in estimation techniques and in the interpretation of the results. To investigate this possibility, the AAT/UCLES spectrum of 2206-199 obtained by PHSM were reanalyzed. The spectrum was extracted from the raw data and determined the line parameters using the method described by CLPW.

Rauch, M.↗

Tungsten hexahydride (WH6) - An equilibrium geometry far from octahedral

Ab initio all-electron quantum mechanical studies of the tungsten hexahydride molecule WH6 are reported. The results suggest that the ground state of WH6 molecule is a closed-shell triangular prism belonging to the C(3v) point group, with a set of three hydrogens stacked on top of another set of three hydrogens. The octahedral structure lies 130 kcal/mole above the C(3v) ground state, a remarkable result in inorganic chemistry. Another C(3v) structure, with one set of three hydrogens staggered with respect to the other set, is energetically nearby.

Shen, Mingzuo↗

High-Temperature Properties of Piezoelectric Langatate Single Crystals

Langasite type crystals belong to non-polar point group of 32 and do not show any phase transformations up to the melting temperature. Langatate (La3Ga(5.5)Ta(0.5)O14) demonstrates piezoelectric activity better than quartz and possesses attractive properties for high temperature sensors, resonators and filter applications. High-quality and colorless langatate crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique. The electromechanical and electrical properties of langatate crystals in different crystallographic directions were characterized at elevated temperature. The piezoelectric coefficient along x-axis was 7 pC/N as measured by a Berlincourt meter for a plate geometry with an aspect ratio of 10:1. The dielectric constant did not exhibit any significant temperature dependence (K33 approx. 21 at 30 C and K33 approx. 23 at 600 C). Loss tangent at 100 kHz remained <0.003 up to 300 C and <0.65 at 600 C. The dielectric properties along the y-axis were similar and its temperature dependence was analogous to the x-axis. Electromechanically, the inactive z-axis exhibited no resonance with K33 approx. 84 at room temperature, decreasing down to approx. 49 at 600 C. Resistivity of these crystals along x-axis decreased from approx. 6x10(exp 11) omega-cm at room temperature, to approx. 1.6x10(exp 6) omega-cm at 600 C.

Sehirlioglu, Alp↗

Characterization of a New Phase and Its Effect on the Work Characteristics of a Near-Stoichiometric Ni30Pt20Ti50 High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloy (HTSMA)

A new phase observed in a nominal Ni30Pt20Ti50 (at.%) high temperature shape memory alloy has been characterized using transmission electron microscopy and 3-D atom probe tomography. This phase forms homogeneously in the B2 austenite matrix by a nucleation and growth mechanism and results in a concomitant increase in the martensitic transformation temperature of the base alloy. Although the structure of this phase typically contains a high density of faults making characterization difficult, it appears to be trigonal (-3m point group) with a(sub o) approx. 1.28 nm and c(sub o) approx. 1.4 nm. Precipitation of this phase increases the microhardness of the alloy substantially over that of the solution treated and quenched single-phase material. The effect of precipitation strengthening on the work characteristics of the alloy has been explored through load-biased strain-temperature testing in the solution-treated condition and after aging at 500 C for times ranging from 1 to 256 hours. Work output was found to increase in the aged alloy as a result of an increase in transformation strain, but was not very sensitive to aging time. The amount of permanent deformation that occurred during thermal cycling under load was small but increased with increasing aging time and stress. Nevertheless, the dimensional stability of the alloy at short aging times (1-4 hours) was still very good making it a potentially useful material for high-temperature actuator applications.

Garg, A.↗

Investigation of the Glen Torridon Clay-Bearing Unit and Overlying Greenheugh Pediment by the Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite

Exploring the Glen Torridon (GT) clay-bearing unit in Gale crater has long been a prime goal for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) because of spectral signatures of smectite identified from orbit. Smectite clay minerals can indicate habitable environments [1,2] and possibly facilitate the preservation of organic compounds [e.g., 3-7].Also, sulfate-bearing layers overlie GT and this sequence may record a large-scale change in aqueous conditions overtime [8].The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suitehas been essential in understanding volatile-bearing phases in Gale crater materials. SAM EGA has detected H2O, CO2, O2, H2, SO2, H2S, HCl, NO, and other trace gases, including organic fragments, evolved from many samples on heating. The identity and evolution temperature of evolved gases can support mineral detection by CheMin instrument X-ray diffraction (XRD)and place constraints on trace volatile-bearing phases, clay mineral compositions, and X-ray amorphous materials. In GT, SAM analyzed the sample Kilmarie (KM) from the Jura member, Glen Etive (GE), Mary Anning (MA) and Groken (GR)from the Knockfarril Hill member (KHm), Glasgow (GG) and Hutton (HU) from the fractured Intermediate Unit (fIU), and Edinburgh (EB) from the Stimson formation rocks of the Greenheugh Pediment (GP). The Jura, KHm and fIU are all members of the Murray formation. HU was sampled near the basal Siccar Point group (SPg) unconformity between the fIU and GP, in an area that exhibits a brighter tone and differences in geochemistry compared to Murray materials down-section [9,10]. CheMin XRD of most samples (except for HU and EB)showed large abundances of smectite clay minerals (~25-35%) and all samples showed X-ray amorphous materials and relatively low amounts of well-crystalline hematite[11]. SAM evaluated mineralogy through evolved gas analysis mass spectrometry (EGA) while detailed organic chemistry of several samples was examined by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry and wet chemistry experiments [12,13].Here we discuss data and interpretations from SAM EGA analyses.

Mars↗

Using Anharmonic PAH Vibrational Spectra to Simulate Fully Anharmonic Cascade Emission Spectra

In recent years, we have developed vibrational second-order perturbation theory (VPT2) approaches that can be applied to very large molecules, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. One of the main difficulties in applying standard VPT2 methods to PAHs is the large number of Fermi resonances that occur, especially in the C-H stretching region of the infrared spectrum. In order to properly account for these resonances, it is necessary to set up resonance polyads for each irreducible representation of the symmetry point group to which the molecule belongs, and for specific wavenumber regions, such as the C-H stretching region. Diagonalization of the polyads allows us to determine vibrational band positions, the intensity sharing due to the resonances, and hence there will be many more vibrational bands present than there are C-H bonds. Using these data, a library of fully anharmonic temperature-dependent spectra, with proper treatment of polyad resonances, can be determined and subsequently used to model the cascade emission spectra of PAH molecules – the type of spectra directly observed by astronomers. The theoretical approach will be described, with comparison to experiment where possible, and the latest fully anharmonic PAH cascade emission spectra will be discussed.

Timothy J Lee↗

Cardiovascular group

As a starting point, the group defined a primary goal of maintaining in flight a level of systemic oxygen transport capacity comparable to each individual's preflight upright baseline. The goal of maintaining capacity at preflight levels would seem to be a reasonable objective for several different reasons, including the maintenance of good health in general and the preservation of sufficient cardiovascular reserve capacity to meet operational demands. It is also important not to introduce confounding variables in whatever other physiological studies are being performed. A change in the level of fitness is likely to be a significant confounding variable in the study of many organ systems. The principal component of the in-flight cardiovascular exercise program should be large-muscle activity such as treadmill exercise. It is desirable that at least one session per week be monitored to assure maintenance of proper functional levels and to provide guidance for any adjustments of the exercise prescription. Appropriate measurements include evaluation of the heart-rate/workload or the heart-rate/oxygen-uptake relationship. Respiratory gas analysis is helpful by providing better opportunities to document relative workload levels from analysis of the interrelationships among VO2, VCO2, and ventilation. The committee felt that there is no clear evidence that any particular in-flight exercise regimen is protective against orthostatic hypotension during the early readaptation phase. Some group members suggested that maintenance of the lower body muscle mass and muscle tone may be helpful. There is also evidence that late in-flight interventions to reexpand blood volume to preflight levels are helpful in preventing or minimizing postflight orthostatic hypotension.

Blomqvist, Gunnar↗