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At least 217 records · Page 12

Geomorphology and stratigraphy of Alba Patera, Mars

Geomorphic and stratigraphic analysis of Alba Patera suggests a volcanic construct built by lavas with rheologic properties similar to basalts. A series of evolving eruptive styles is suggested by changes in morphology and inferred progressive reductions in flow volume with higher stratigraphic position. Alba Patera's volcanic history has been summarized into four main phases. The first is characterized by extensive flood like flows presumably erupted from fissures associated with the initial intrusion of magma into the region. The second phase is associated with the emplacement of pyroclastic rock, a more speculative interpretation. The third phase produced the voluminous tabular, crested, and undifferentiated flows, probably from a more centralized vent source. The fourth and last phase is marked the effusion of levee like flows and the collapse of the summit calderas and final graben formation.

Schneeberger, Dale M.↗

U, Th, Pb and REE abundances and Pb 207/Pb 206 ages of individual minerals in returned lunar material by ion microprobe mass analysis.

Results of ion microprobe analyses of Apollo 11, 12 and 14 material, showing that U, Th, Pb and REE are concentrated in accessory minerals such as apatite, whitlockite, zircon, baddeleyite, zirkelite, and tranquillityite. Th/U ratios are found to vary by over a factor of 40 in these minerals. K, Ba, Rb and Sr have been localized in a K rich, U and Th poor glass phase that is commonly associated with the U and Th bearing accessory minerals. Li is observed to be fairly evenly distributed between the various accessory phases. The phosphates have been found to have REE abundance patterns (normalized to the chondrite abundances) that are fairly flat, while the Zr bearing minerals have patterns that rise steeply, by factors of ten or more, from La to Gd. All the accessory minerals have large negative Eu anomalies. Radiometric age dates (Pb 207/Pb 206) of the individual U and Th bearing minerals compare favorably with the Pb 207/Pb 206 age of the bulk rocks.

Andersen, C. A.↗

Growth and analysis of highly oriented (11n) BCSCO films for device research

Films of BCSCO superconductor of the type Bi2CaSr2Cu2Ox have been grown by liquid phase epitaxy method (LPE), using a partially closed growth chamber. The films were grown on (001) and (110) NdGaO3 substrates by slow cooling process in an optimized temperature range below the peritectic melting point (880 C) of Bi2CaSr2Cu2O8. Optimization of parameters, such as seed rotation, soak of initial growth temperature and growth period results in the formation of 2122 phase BCSCO films. The films grown at rotation rates of less than 30 and more than 70 rpm are observed to be associated with the second phase of Sr-Ca-Cu-O system. Higher growth temperatures (is greater than 860 C) also encourage to the formation of this phase. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements show that the films grown on (110) NdGaO3 have a preferred (11 n)-orientation. It is pertinent to mention here that in our earlier results published elsewhere we obtained c-axis oriented Bi2CaSr2Cu2O8 phase films on (001) NdGaO3 substrate. Critical current density is found to be higher for the films grown on (110) than (001) NdGaO3 substrate orientation. The best values of zero resistance (T(sub co)) and critical current density obtained are 87 K and 105 A/sq cm, respectively.

Raina, K. K.↗

Growth and Analysis of Highly Oriented (11n) BCSCO Films for Device Research

Films of BCSCO superconductor of the type Bi2CaSr2Cu2O(x), have been grown by liquid phase epitaxy method (LPE), using a partially closed growth chamber. The films were grown on (001) and (110) NdGaO3 substrates by slow cooling process in an optimized temperature range below the peritectic melting point (880 C) of Bi2CaSr2Cu2O8. Optimization of parameters, such as seed rotation, soak of initial growth temperature and growth period results in the formation of 2122 phase BCSCO films. The films grown at rotation rates of less than 30 and more than 70 rpm are observed to be associated with the second phase of Sr-Ca-Cu-O system. Higher growth temperatures (greater than 860 C) also encourage to the formation of this phase. XRD measurements show that the films grown on (110) NdGaO3 have a preferred (11n)-orientation. It is pertinent to mention here that in our earlier results published elsewhere we obtained c-axis oriented Bi2CaSr2Cu2O8 phase films on (001) NdGaO3 substrate. Critical current density is found to be higher for the films grown on (110) than (001) NdGaO3 substrate orientation. The best values, zero resistance (T(sab co)) and critical current density obtained are 87 K and 10(exp 5) A/sq cm respectively.

Raina, K. K.↗

A study of over-reflection in viscous Poiseuille flow

It is shown that viscous Poiseuille flow sustains wave propagation in its center region for waves whose phase speed is less than the maximum flow speed. When, moreover, there are critical levels, there exists a range of phase speeds for which over-reflection occurs, and this range corresponds exactly to the range for which unstable eigenmodes exist. Consistent with the conjecture of Lindzen and Barker (1985), it is found that viscous boundary layers around the critical level and at the wall replace the exponential regions and wave sinks required for inviscid over-reflection. It is found that over-relection is confined to phase speeds for which these two boundary layers are in close proximity, rather than widely separated or substantially overlapping. Over-reflection is inevitably associated with a wave phase tilt opposite in direction to the shear at the critical level. All other cases yield a phase tilt in the direction of the shear. The former is consistent with the condition for the Orr (1977) mechanism to produce amplification (Boyd 1983).

Lindzen, R. S.↗

An extended UTD analysis for the scattering and diffraction from cubic polynomial strips

Spline and polynomial type surfaces are commonly used in high frequency modeling of complex structures such as aircraft, ships, reflectors, etc. It is therefore of interest to develop an efficient and accurate solution to describe the scattered fields from such surfaces. An extended Uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction (UTD) solution for the scattering and diffraction from perfectly conducting cubic polynomial strips is derived and involves the incomplete Airy integrals as canonical functions. This new solution is universal in nature and can be used to effectively describe the scattered fields from flat, strictly concave or convex, and concave convex boundaries containing edges. The classic UTD solution fails to describe the more complicated field behavior associated with higher order phase catastrophes and therefore a new set of uniform reflection and first-order edge diffraction coefficients is derived. Also, an additional diffraction coefficient associated with a zero-curvature (inflection) point is presented. Higher order effects such as double edge diffraction, creeping waves, and whispering gallery modes are not examined. The extended UTD solution is independent of the scatterer size and also provides useful physical insight into the various scattering and diffraction processes. Its accuracy is confirmed via comparison with some reference moment method results.

Constantinides, E. D.↗

Observational Evidence of Aerosol Enhancement of Lightning Activity and Convective Invigoration

Lightning activity over the West Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines is usually much less frequent than over the nearby maritime continents. However, in 2005 the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) aboard the TRMM satellite observed anomalously high lightning activity in that area. In the same year the Moderate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) measured anomalously high aerosol loading. The high aerosol loading was traced to volcanic activity, and not to any factor linked to meteorology, disentangling the usual convolution between aerosols and meteorology. We show that in general lightning activity is tightly correlated with aerosol loadings at both inter-annual and biweekly time scales. We estimate that a approximately 60% increase in aerosol loading leads to more than 150% increase in lightning flashes. Aerosols increase lightning activity through modification of cloud microphysics. Cloud ice particle sizes are reduced and cloud glaciation is delayed to colder temperature when aerosol loading is increased. TRMM precipitation radar measurements indicate that anomalously high aerosol loading is associated with enhanced cloud mixed phase activity and invigorated convection over the maritime ocean. These observed associations between aerosols, cloud microphysics, morphology and lightning activity are not related to meteorological variables or ENSO events. The results have important implications for understanding the variability of lightning and resulting aerosol-chemistry interactions.

Yuan, Tianle↗

Calculative techniques for transonic flows about certain classes of wing-body combinations, phase 2

Theoretical analysis and associated computer programs were developed for predicting properties of transonic flows about certain classes of wing-body combinations. The procedures used are based on the transonic equivalence rule and employ either an arbitrarily-specified solution or the local linerization method for determining the nonlifting transonic flow about the equivalent body. The class of wind planform shapes include wings having sweptback trailing edges and finite tip chord. Theoretical results are presented for surface and flow-field pressure distributions for both nonlifting and lifting situations at Mach number one.

Stahara, S. S.↗

Fuel containment and damage tolerance for large composite primary aircraft structures. Phase 1: Testing

Technical problems associated with fuel containment and damage tolerance of composite material wings for transport aircraft were identified. The major tasks are the following: (1) the preliminary design of damage tolerant wing surface using composite materials; (2) the evaluation of fuel sealing and lightning protection methods for a composite material wing; and (3) an experimental investigation of the damage tolerant characteristics of toughened resin graphite/epoxy materials. The test results, the test techniques, and the test data are presented.

Sandifer, J. P.↗

Fuel containment and damage tolerance in large composite primary aircraft structures. Phase 2: Testing

Technical issues associated with fuel containment and damage tolerance of composite wing structures for transport aircraft were investigated. Material evaluation tests were conducted on two toughened resin composites: Celion/HX1504 and Celion/5245. These consisted of impact, tension, compression, edge delamination, and double cantilever beam tests. Another test series was conducted on graphite/epoxy box beams simulating a wing cover to spar cap joint configuration of a pressurized fuel tank. These tests evaluated the effectiveness of sealing methods with various fastener types and spacings under fatigue loading and with pressurized fuel. Another test series evaluated the ability of the selected coatings, film, and materials to prevent fuel leakage through 32-ply AS4/2220-1 laminates at various impact energy levels. To verify the structural integrity of the technology demonstration article structural details, tests were conducted on blade stiffened panels and sections. Compression tests were performed on undamaged and impacted stiffened AS4/2220-1 panels and smaller element tests to evaluate stiffener pull-off, side load and failsafe properties. Compression tests were also performed on panels subjected to Zone 2 lightning strikes. All of these data were integrated into a demonstration article representing a moderately loaded area of a transport wing. This test combined lightning strike, pressurized fuel, impact, impact repair, fatigue and residual strength.

Sandifer, J. P.↗

Liquid crystalline order in mucus

Mucus plays an exceptionally wide range of important biological roles. It operates as a protective, exchange, and transport medium in the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems of humans and other vertebrates. Mucus is a polymer hydrogel. It is secreted as discrete packages (secretory granules) by specialized secretory cells. Mucus hydrogel is stored in a condensed state inside the secretory granules. Depending upon the architecture of their constituent macromolecules and on the composition of the solvent, polymer gels can form liquid crystalline microstructures, with orientational order being exhibited over optically resolvable distances. Individual mucin molecules consist of alternating rigid segments (heavily glycosylated; hydrophilic) and flexible segments (nonglycosylated; hydrophobic). Polymer molecules consisting of rigid units linked by flexible spacers are frequently associated with liquid crystalline behavior, which again raises the possibility that mucus could form anisotropic fluid phases. Suggestions that mucins may be self-associating in dilute solution have previously been challenged on the basis of sedimentation-equilibrium studies performed on mucus in which potential sites of association were competitively blocked with inhibitors. However, the formation of stable liquid crystalline phases does not depend on the existence of inter- or intramolecular associations; these phases can form on the basis of steric considerations alone.

NASA Discipline Number 40-20↗

Episodic nitrous oxide soil emissions in Brazilian savanna (cerrado) fire-scars

The seasonally burned cerrados of Brazil are the largest savanna-type ecosystem of South America and their contribution to the global atmospheric nitrous oxide (N20) budget is unknown. Four types of fire-scarred cerrado along a vegetation gradient from grassland to forest were investigated during the wet season of 1992/93. The effect of fire and subsequent water additions on epiodic emissions of N2O and the associated profile dynamic of soil/gas phase N2O concentrations were studied for several months. Additionally, the effect on episodic emissions of N2O of nitrate and glucose additions to a cerrado soil after fire and the associated profile dynamic of soil/gas phase N2O mixing ratios were determined. Finally, N2O episodic emissions in cerrado converted to corn, soybean, and pasture fields were investigated during one growing/wet season. Results showed N2O consumption/emission for the four fire-scared savanna ecosystems, for nitrogen and carbon fertilization, and for agriculture/pasture ranging from -0.3 to +0.7, 1.8 to 9.1, and 0.5 to 3.7 g N2O-N ha(exp -1) d(exp -1), respectively. During the wet season the cerrado biome does not appear to be a major source of N2O to the troposphere, even following fire events. However, the results of this study suggest that conversion of the cerrado to high input agriculture, with liming and fertilization, can increase N2O emissions more than ten fold.

Nobre, A. D.↗

Impact of the Arctic Oscillation from March on summertime sea ice

Current understanding of the cold season Arctic oscillation (AO) impact on the summertime sea ice is revisited in this study by analyzing the role from each month. Earlier studies examined the prolonged AO impact using a smooth average over 1–2 seasons (e.g. December–March, December–April, March–May), ignoring large month-to-month AO variability. This study finds that the March AO is most influential on the summertime sea ice loss. First, the March AO is most highly negative-correlated with the AO in summer. Secondly, surface energy budget, sea level pressure, and low-tropospheric circulation exhibit that their time-lagged responses to the positive (negative) phase of the March AO grow with time, transitioning to the patterns associated with the negative (positive) phase of the AO that induces sea ice decrease (increase) in summer. Time evolution of the surface energy budget explains the growth of the sea ice concentration anomaly in summer, and a warming-to-cooling transition in October. The regional difference in sea ice anomaly distribution can be also explained by circulation and surface energy budget patterns. The sea ice concentration along the pan-Arctic including the Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi, and Beaufort Sea decreases (increases) in summer in response to the positive (negative) phase of the March AO, while the sea ice to the northeast of Greenland increases (decreases). This sea ice response is better represented by the March AO than by the seasonally averaged winter AO, suggesting that the March AO can play more significant role. This study also finds that the sea ice decrease in response to the positive AO is distinctively smaller in the 20th century than in the 21st century, along with the opposite sea ice response over the Canada Basin due to circulation difference between the two periods.

Arctic Oscillation↗

Pyrotechnic hazards classification and evaluation program. Phase 2, segment 3: Test plan for determining hazards associated with pyrotechnic manufacturing processes

A comprehensive test plan for determining the hazards associated with pyrotechnic manufacturing processes is presented. The rationale for each test is based on a systematic analysis of historical accounts of accidents and a detailed study of the characteristics of each manufacturing process. The most hazardous manufacturing operations have been determined to be pressing, mixing, reaming, and filling. The hazard potential of a given situation is evaluated in terms of the probabilities of initiation, communication, and transition to detonation (ICT). The characteristics which affect the ICT probabilities include the ignition mechanisms which are present either in normal or abnormal operation, the condition and properties of the pyrotechnic material, and the configuration of the processing equipment. Analytic expressions are derived which describe the physical conditions of the system, thus permitting a variety of processes to be evaluated in terms of a small number of experiments.

Source record↗

Phase equilibrium constraints on the howardite-eucrite-diogenite association

Model determinations of fractional crystallization and equilibrium partial melting in the 0-10-kbar range have been performed for a series of compositions relevant to diogenite and eucrite petrogenesis. Olivine is found to react with diogenite parent liquids along the plagioclase-absent olivine/low-Ca pyroxene liquidus boundary under conditions of both fractional and equilibrium crystallization up to about 2 kbar. Olivine also reacts with eucritic liquids saturated with plagioclase and low-Ca pyroxene to pressures in excess of 2 kbar. The ability of simple fractional crystallization at 2 kbar to account for mineralogical and chemical features of the diogenite-eucrite association is discussed.

Longhi, John↗

Reproductive Ontogeny of Wheat Grown on the MIR Space Station

The reproductive ontogeny of 'Super-Dwarf' wheat grown on the space station Mir is chronicled from the vegetative phase through flower development. Changes in the apical meristem associated with transition From the vegetative phase to floral initiation and development of the reproductive spike were all typical of 'Super Dwarf' wheat up to the point of anthesis. Filament elongation, which characteristically occurs just prior to anthesis and moves the anthers through the stigmatic branches thus facilitating pollination, did no1 xcur in the flowers of spikes grown on Mir. While development of spikes on tillers typically occurs later :han that of spikes on the main stem, all flowers appear to be arrested at the same developmental point.

Bubenheim, David L.↗

Prediction of the Arctic Oscillation in Boreal Winter by Dynamical Seasonal Forecasting Systems

This study assesses the skill of boreal winter Arctic Oscillation (AO) predictions with state-of-the-art dynamical ensemble prediction systems (EPSs): GloSea4, CFSv2, GEOS-5, CanCM3, CanCM4, and CM2.1. Long-term reforecasts with the EPSs are used to evaluate how well they represent the AO and to assess the skill of both deterministic and probabilistic forecasts of the AO. The reforecasts reproduce the observed changes in the large-scale patterns of the Northern Hemispheric surface temperature, upper level wind, and precipitation associated with the different phases of the AO. The results demonstrate that most EPSs improve upon persistence skill scores for lead times up to 2 months in boreal winter, suggesting some potential for skillful prediction of the AO and its associated climate anomalies at seasonal time scales. It is also found that the skill of AO forecasts during the recent period (1997-2010) is higher than that of the earlier period (1983-1996).

Arctic Oscillation↗

Intensity and spectral variations of Cyg X-1 observed from balloons

Observations of Cyg X-1 with a 20 to 200 keV balloon carried X-ray telescope in 1969, 1970, and 1972 are presented. These results reveal the following characteristics of Cyg X-1: The steep spectrum observed at E 10 keV during the radio quiet phase can extend to 200 keV. This phase may have lasted 21 months (July 1969 to March 1971). The low flux values are factors of 3 and 8 below the normal values at 30 and 100 keV respectively, are rarely observed, and may be associated with the early phase of the 1971 April X-ray transition. During some one hour periods, the intensity remained constant to approximately 20% and during other periods it varied a factor 2 in 5 minutes and a factor 10 in 1 hour. Complex spectral variations accompanied the intensity changes.

Matteson, J. L.↗