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Zhang, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Zhang, G..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Rapid determination of soil classes in soil profiles using vis–NIR spectroscopy and multiple objectives mixed support vector classification

Summary Visible‐near infrared (vis–NIR) spectroscopy can reveal various soil properties and facilitate soil classification. However, few studies have attempted to classify vertical soil profiles that contain several genetic horizons. Here, we propose the ‘multiple objectives mixed support vector classification’ (MOM–SVC) method to classify soil profiles. A total of 130 soil profiles were collected from genetic horizons in Zhejiang Province, China. After laboratory analysis, soil profiles were classified according to the Chinese Soil Taxonomy system. Vis–NIR spectra were recorded from each genetic horizon of each soil profile and were then pre‐processed. We performed the MOM–SVC method as follows: (i) created a support vector machine (SVM) model (one‐versus‐one approach) using spectral data from all soil horizons in calibration profiles, (ii) applied the SVM model on each horizon of the profile to be predicted, (iii) extracted ‘votes’ from each horizon and mixed (or summarized) them into the votes of each profile to be predicted and (iv) classified each profile by the majority‐voting method. We also investigated whether the additional input of auxiliary soil information (e.g. moist soil colour, soil organic matter and soil texture), which could be measured easily or be well predicted by vis–NIR spectroscopy, could improve the accuracy of soil classification when combined with it. Independent validation results showed that the MOM–SVC method performed better at the soil order level than at the suborder level. Adding auxiliary soil information to the classification model improved the overall accuracy of classification at the soil order level. The proposed MOM–SVC method provides a fast objective diagnostic of soil classes for use in soil surveys and can help to update soil databases when a more objective soil classification system is developed. Highlights The MOM–SVC method can be used to classify soil profiles objectively with a variety of soil horizons. Stratified random sampling was used to quantify prediction uncertainty in classification MOM–SVC can predict soil orders with greater accuracy than suborders. Adding auxiliary soil information into the classification model improved prediction accuracy.

Chen, S.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Biological serial block face scanning electron microscopy at improved z-resolution based on Monte Carlo model

Serial block-face electron microscopy (SBEM) provides nanoscale 3D ultrastructure of embedded and stained cells and tissues in volumes of up to 107µm3. In SBEM, electrons with 1–3keV energies are incident on a specimen block, from which backscattered electron (BSE) images are collected with x, y resolution of 5–10nm in the block-face plane, and successive layers are removed by an in situ ultramicrotome. Spatial resolution along the z-direction, however, is limited to around 25nm by the minimum cutting thickness. To improve the z-resolution, we have extracted depth information from BSE images acquired at dual primary beam energies, using Monte Carlo simulations of electron scattering. The relationship between depth of stain and ratio of dual-energy BSE intensities enables us to determine 3D structure with a ×2 improvement in z-resolution. We demonstrate the technique by sub-slice imaging of hepatocyte membranes in liver tissue.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Precise algorithm to generate random sequential adsorption of hard polygons at saturation

Random sequential adsorption (RSA) is a time-dependent packing process, in which particles of certain shapes are randomly and sequentially placed into an empty space without overlap. In the infinite-time limit, the density approaches a "saturation'' limit. Although this limit has attracted particular research interest, the majority of past studies could only probe this limit by extrapolation. We have previously found an algorithm to reach this limit using finite computational time for spherical particles, and could thus determine the saturation density of spheres with high accuracy. Here in this paper, we generalize this algorithm to generate saturated RSA packings of two-dimensional polygons. We also calculate the saturation density for regular polygons of three to ten sides, and obtain results that are consistent with previous, extrapolation-based studies.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Double-stage nematic bond ordering above double stripe magnetism: Application to BaTi 2 Sb 2 O

Spin-driven nematicity, or the breaking of the point-group symmetry of the lattice without long-range magnetic order, is clearly quite important in iron-based superconductors. From a symmetry point of view, nematic order can be described as a coherent locking of spin fluctuations in two interpenetrating Néel sublattices with ensuing nearest-neighbor bond order and an absence of static magnetism. In this paper, we argue that the low-temperature state of the recently discovered superconductor BaTi 2 Sb 2 O is a strong candidate for a more exotic form of spin-driven nematic order, in which fluctuations occurring in four Néel sublattices promote both nearest- and next-nearest-neighbor bond order. We develop a low-energy field theory of this state and show that it can have, as a function of temperature, up to two separate bond-order phase transitions, namely, one that breaks rotation symmetry and one that breaks reflection and translation symmetries of the lattice. The resulting state has an orthorhombic lattice distortion, an intra-unit-cell charge density wave, and no long-range magnetic order, all consistent with reported measurements of the low-temperature phase of BaTi 2 Sb 2 O . Finally, we then use density functional theory calculations to extract exchange parameters to confirm that the model is applicable to BaTi 2 Sb 2 O .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Intermediate time scale response of atmospheric CO 2 following prescribed fire in a longleaf pine forest

Fire plays an essential role in maintaining the structure and function of longleaf pine ecosystems. While the effects of fire on carbon cycle have been measured in previous studies for short periods during a burn and for multiyear periods following the burn, information on how carbon cycle is influenced by such changes over the span of a few weeks to months has yet to be quantified. We have analyzed high-frequency measurements of CO 2 concentration and flux, as well as associated micrometeorological variables, at three levels of the tall Aiken AmeriFlux tower during and after a prescribed burn. Measurements of the CO 2 concentration and vertical fluxes were examined as well as calculated net ecosystem exchange (NEE) for periods prior to and after the burn. Large spikes in both CO 2 concentration and CO 2 flux during the fire and increases in atmospheric CO 2 concentration and reduced CO 2 flux were observed for several weeks following the burn, particularly below the forest canopy. Both CO 2 measurements and NEE were found to return to their preburn states within 60–90 days following the burn when no statistical significance was found between preburn and postburn NEE. Furthermore, this study examines the micrometeorological conditions during a low-intensity prescribed burn and its short-term effects on local CO 2 dynamics in a forested environment by identifying observable impacts on local measurements of atmospheric CO 2 concentration and fluxes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SAS4A/SASSYS-1 Code Improvements for FY2016

SAS4A/SASSYS-1 is a simulation tool used to perform deterministic analysis of anticipated events as well as design basis and beyond design basis accidents for advanced reactors. This report summarizes ongoing tasks to modernize the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 code system to improve internal data management, update several other code modules, and add new features. Code modernization activities focused on eliminating legacy data management in the balance-of-plant module, which was the only module that still used non-portable data allocation. Code extensions include the development of a new axial expansion model that can accurately account for non-uniform or heterogeneous fuel compositions. The most significant accomplishment is the addition of uncertainty quantification capabilities for transient simulations using the Dakota toolkit from Sandia National Laboratory. The motivation for performing these updates stems from the relevance of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 to a number of U.S. Department of Energy programs as well as domestic and international collaborations. External collaborations have also produced improvements in the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 code, and these are summarized in this report. SAS4A/SASSYS-1 has a growing user base that continues to strengthen the promotion of advanced reactor concepts such as sodium cooled fast reactors. Additional users will help solidify DOE’s leadership role in fast reactor safety both domestically and in international collaborations.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of minor carbon additions on the high-temperature creep behavior of a single-crystal nickel-based superalloy

Different amounts of carbon were added to a single-crystal nickel-based superalloy. The microstructural evolution of these alloys before and after high-temperature creep tests was investigated by employing scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Upon increasing the carbon contents, the volume fraction and diameter of the carbides increased gradually: however, the creep lives of the alloys increased slightly at first and subsequently decreased. The formation of second-phase particles, such as the nano-sized M{sub 23}C{sub 6}, blocky and needle-shaped μ phase, was observed in the creep samples, which was closely related to the high-temperature creep behaviors. - Highlights: • Creep behaviors of alloys with different amounts of carbon were investigated. • The creep rupture lives increased and later decreased with more carbon. • Second-phase particles were responsible for the different creep behaviors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Sustainable Thorium Nuclear Fuel Cycles: A Comparison of Intermediate and Fast Neutron Spectrum Systems

This paper presents analyses of possible reactor representations of a nuclear fuel cycle with continuous recycling of thorium and produced uranium (mostly U-233) with thorium-only feed. The analysis was performed in the context of a U.S. Department of Energy effort to develop a compendium of informative nuclear fuel cycle performance data. The objective of this paper is to determine whether intermediate spectrum systems, having a majority of fission events occurring with incident neutron energies between 1 eV and 10 5 eV, perform as well as fast spectrum systems in this fuel cycle. The intermediate spectrum options analyzed include tight lattice heavy or light water-cooled reactors, continuously refueled molten salt reactors, and a sodium-cooled reactor with hydride fuel. All options were modeled in reactor physics codes to calculate their lattice physics, spectrum characteristics, and fuel compositions over time. Based on these results, detailed metrics were calculated to compare the fuel cycle performance. These metrics include waste management and resource utilization, and are binned to accommodate uncertainties. The performance of the intermediate systems for this selfsustaining thorium fuel cycle was similar to a representative fast spectrum system. However, the number of fission neutrons emitted per neutron absorbed limits performance in intermediate spectrum systems.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗