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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 235 records · Page 13

RFID-Enabled Tamper-Indicating Seal

Tamper-indicating seals protect sensitive materials, valuable equipment, and critical shipments. Most conventional seals must be checked through manual visual inspection and do not provide a digital record of their condition. Some attempts to remove, alter, or bypass a seal may also leave little visible damage, making tampering difficult to identify during routine inspections. Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed a smart tamper-indicating seal that converts even subtle tampering into a persistent digital record. The seal communicates its identity and status wirelessly through standard radio-frequency identification (RFID) readers, giving organizations a faster, more reliable way to verify that an asset has remained secure.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

KBase Narrative - Formation of a constructed microbial community in a nutrient rich environment indicates bacterial interspecific competition

This Narrative is the parent for the three Narratives referenced in "Formation of a constructed microbial community in a nutrient rich environment indicates bacterial interspecific competition." Wang J, Appidi MR, Burdick LH, Abraham PE, Hettich RL, Pelletier DA, Doktycz MJ. 2024. Formation of a constructed microbial community in a nutrient-rich environment indicates bacterial interspecific competition. mSystems. American Society for Microbiology.

Wang, Jia↗

A physics-based ensemble machine-learning approach to identifying a relationship between lightning indices and binary lightning hazard

To convert lightning indices generated by numerical weather prediction experiments into binary lightning hazard, a machine-learning tool was developed. This tool, consisting of parallel multilayer perceptron classifiers, was trained on an ensemble of planetary boundary layer schemes and microphysics parameterizations that generated four different lightning indices over 1 week. In a subsequent week, the multi-physics ensemble was applied and the machine-learning tool was used to evaluate the accuracy. Unintuitively, the machine-learning tool performed better on the testing dataset than the training dataset. Much of the error may be attributed to mischaracterizing the convection. The combination of the machine learning model and simulations could not differentiate between cloud-to-cloud lightning and cloud-to-ground lightning, despite being trained on cloud-to-ground lightning. It was found that the simulation most representative of the local operational model was the most accurate simulation tested.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Tracing and Forecasting Metabolic Indices of Cancer Patients Using Patient-Specific Deep Learning Models

We develop a patient-specific dynamical system model from the time series data of the cancer patient’s metabolic panel taken during the period of cancer treatment and recovery. The model consists of a pair of stacked long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural networks and a fully connected neural network in each unit. It is intended to be used by physicians to trace back and look forward at the patient’s metabolic indices, to identify potential adverse events, and to make short-term predictions. When the model is used in making short-term predictions, the relative error in every index is less than 10% in the L ∞ norm and less than 6.3% in the L 1 norm in the validation process. Once a master model is built, the patient-specific model can be calibrated through transfer learning. As an example, we obtain patient-specific models for four more cancer patients through transfer learning, which all exhibit reduced training time and a comparable level of accuracy. This study demonstrates that this modeling approach is reliable and can deliver clinically acceptable physiological models for tracking and forecasting patients’ metabolic indices.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Low Molecular Weight Volatile Organic Compounds Indicate Grazing by the Marine Rotifer Brachionus plicatilis on the Microalgae Microchloropsis salina

Microalgae produce specific chemicals indicative of stress and/or death. The aim of this study was to perform non-destructive monitoring of algal culture systems, in the presence and absence of grazers, to identify potential biomarkers of incipient pond crashes. Here, we report ten volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are robustly generated by the marine alga, Microchloropsis salina, in the presence and/or absence of the marine grazer, Brachionus plicatilis. We cultured M. salina with and without B. plicatilis and collected in situ volatile headspace samples using thermal desorption tubes over the course of several days. Data from four experiments were aggregated, deconvoluted, and chromatographically aligned to determine VOCs with tentative identifications made via mass spectral library matching. VOCs generated by algae in the presence of actively grazing rotifers were confirmed via pure analytical standards to be pentane, 3-pentanone, 3-methylhexane, and 2-methylfuran. Six other VOCs were less specifically associated with grazing but were still commonly observed between the four replicate experiments. Through this work, we identified four biomarkers of rotifer grazing that indicate algal stress/death. This will aid machine learning algorithms to chemically define and diagnose algal mass production cultures and save algae cultures from imminent crash to make biofuel an alternative energy possibility.

headspace sampling↗

Improved Measurements of Galaxy Star Formation Stochasticity from the Intrinsic Scatter of Burst Indicators

Abstract Measurements of short-timescale star formation variations (i.e., “burstiness” or star formation stochasticity) are integral to our understanding of star formation feedback mechanisms and the assembly of stellar populations in galaxies. We expand upon the work of Broussard et al. by introducing a new analysis of galaxy star formation burstiness that accounts for variations in the Q sg = E B − V stars / E B − V gas distribution, a major confounding factor. We use Balmer decrements from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey to measure Q sg , which we use to construct mock catalogs from the Santa Cruz Semi-Analytic Models and Mufasa cosmological hydrodynamical simulation based on 3D-HST, Fiber Multi-Object Spectrograph (FMOS)-COSMOS, and MOSDEF galaxies with H α detections. The results of the mock catalogs are compared against observations using the burst indicator η = log 10 ( SFR H α / SFR NUV ) , with the standard deviation of the η distribution indicating burstiness. We find decent agreement between mock and observed η distribution shapes; however, the FMOS-COSMOS and MOSDEF mocks show a systematically low median and scatter in η in comparison to the observations. This work also presents the novel approach of analytically deriving the relationship between the intrinsic scatter in η , scatter added by measurement uncertainties, and observed scatter, resulting in an intrinsic burstiness measurement of 0.06–0.16 dex.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

An extended radar relative calibration adjustment (eRCA) technique for higher-frequency radars and range–height indicator (RHI) scans

Abstract. This study extends the relative calibration adjustment technique for calibration of weather radars to higher-frequency radars as well as range–height indicator (RHI) scans. The calibration of weather radars represents one of the most dominant sources of error for their use in a variety of fields including quantitative precipitation estimation and model comparisons. While most weather radars are routinely calibrated, the frequency of calibration is often less than required, resulting in miscalibrated time periods. While full absolute calibration techniques often require the radar to be taken offline for a period of time, there have been online calibration techniques discussed in the literature. The relative calibration adjustment (RCA) technique uses the statistics of the ground clutter surrounding the radar as a monitoring source for the stability of calibration but has only been demonstrated to work at S- and C-band for plan-position indicator (PPI) scans at a constant elevation. In this work the RCA technique is modified to work with higher-frequency radars, including Ka-band cloud radars. At higher frequencies the properties of clutter can be much more variable. This work introduces an extended clutter selection procedure that incorporates the temporal stability of clutter and helps to improve the operational stability of RCA for relatively higher-frequency radars. The technique is also extended to utilize range–height scans from radars where the elevation is varied rather than the azimuth. These types of scans are often utilized with research radars to examine the vertical structure of clouds. The newly extended technique (eRCA) is applied to four Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (DOE ARM) weather radars ranging in frequency from C- to Ka-band. Cross comparisons of three co-located radars with frequencies C, X, and Ka at the ARM Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) site show that the technique can determine changes in calibration. Using an X-band radar at the ARM Eastern North Atlantic (ENA) site, we show how the technique can be modified to be more resilient to clutter fields that show increased variability, in this case due to sea clutter. The results show that this technique is promising for a posteriori data calibration and monitoring.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Low cost SCR lamp driver indicates contents of digital computer registers

Silicon Controlled Rectifier /SCR/ lamp driver is adapted for use in integrated circuit digital computers where it indicates the contents of the various registers. The threshold voltage at which visual indication begins is very sharply defined and can be adjusted to suit particular system requirements.

Cliff, R. A.↗

Circuit minimizes current drain caused by neon indicator lamps

Circuit lights neon lamp by back leakage current of the driving transistor, rather than by the transistors saturation or ''on-state'' current, thereby eliminating lowering of the voltage necessary for indication. Circuit has operating speed greater than indication circuit using a saturation principle and aids in power rationing.

Drylie, C. D.↗

Deflection resistance indicator

Instrument for nondestructively measuring compression resistance of spray foam used as thermal insulation was developed. Cylindrical indicator has probe with coil spring to provide force and indicating dial. Probe is manually pressed against area to be tested until complete foot area contacts foam surfaces.

Massey, H. S.↗

Carbon dioxide concentration indicator

Device will provide visual indication of concentration of carbon dioxide. It consists of small amounts of absorbent material contained in semipermeable membrane and device to detect color changes. Material will absorb quantity of carbon dioxide proportional to carbon dioxide concentration in atmosphere. Amount of absorption is indicated by color change.

King, P. H.↗

The use of remote sensors to relate biological and physical indicators to environmental and public health problems

Relationships between biological, ecological and botanical structures, and disease organisms and their vectors which might be detected and measured by remote sensing are determined. In addition to the use of trees as indicators of disease or potential disease, an attempt is made to identify environmental factors such as soil moisture and soil and water temperatures as they relate to disease or health problems and may be detected by remote sensing. The following three diseases and one major health problem are examined: Malaria, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Encephalitis and Red Tide. It is shown that no single species of vascular plant nor any one environmental factor can be used as the indicator of disease or health problems. Entire vegetation types, successional stages and combinations of factors must be used.

Source record↗

System for indicating direction of intruder aircraft

A pilot warning indicator system consisting of a flashing beacon, a detector, and an indicating panel is described. The detector responds to radiant energy from another aircraft's beacon by energizing particular signal lamps positioned in the periphery of the pilot's normal field of view. Since the positions of the energized lamps are related to the direction from which radiant energy is received by the detector, the pilot is apprised of the relative position of an intruder aircraft without any shift in visual fixation.

Story, A. W.↗

Analog computer implementation of four instantaneous distortion indices

Dynamic distortion data obtained from inlet engine compatibility test on a J85-GE-13 engine are used to establish the feasibility of using on-line generated indices as control signals. These data are analyzed over time increments of 1.3 seconds on an analog computer. The analog program of four instantaneous distortion indices and their results are presented. A modified approach in determining the extent of distortion is also presented.

Costakis, W. G.↗

Study of a number of biochemical indices of the blood and tissue of dogs after prolonged gamma-radiation

The glucose content in blood and the lipid content in serum and tissues of dogs exposed to chronic radiation for 3 and 5 years were studied. In tissues of these animals, the concentration of soluble DNA and DNA contained in DNP was studied in the spleen, lymph node (deep cervical node) and bone marrow of thigh bones. Results indicate that chronic gamma irradiation significantly changes concentrations of glucose in the blood, and that of several lipids in serum and tissues. A reduction in the concentration of DNP in tested organs reflects changes in the relative number of cells with various nuclear cytoplasmic ratios; most pronounced changes in biochemical indices occur in dogs exposed to chronic gamma radiation in doses of 125 rad per year.

Alers, I.↗

Is the red arc a good indicator of ionosphere-magnetosphere conditions

Weak red arcs were observed on the two consecutive nights of July 12-13 and July 13-14, 1969, at Richland, Washington, whereas no red arcs were detectable on the nights preceding and following the observations. Satellite (Ogo 6) data of electron temperature and density, low-frequency ac electric field, and suprathermal electron flux corresponding to the conjugate region of Richland show no significant variations during these days. The data show elevated electron temperatures and enhanced low-frequency ac noise levels at the expected red arc position in the neighborhood of the density trough, as indicated by previous observations. The data appear to indicate that the optical criterion of red arc occurrence would lead to the conclusion of significantly different ionosphere-magnetosphere conditions during these four nights, whereas the more detailed in situ data show that the conditions were very similar.

Nagy, A. F.↗

Description of a landing site indicator (LASI) for light aircraft operation

An experimental cockpit mounted head-up type display system was developed and evaluated by LaRC pilots during the landing phase of light aircraft operations. The Landing Site Indicator (LASI) system display consists of angle of attack, angle of sideslip, and indicated airspeed images superimposed on the pilot's view through the windshield. The information is made visible to the pilot by means of a partially reflective viewing screen which is suspended directly in frot of the pilot's eyes. Synchro transmitters are operated by vanes, located at the left wing tip, which sense angle of attack and sideslip angle. Information is presented near the center of the display in the form of a moving index on a fixed grid. The airspeed is sensed by a pitot-static pressure transducer and is presented in numerical form at the top center of the display.

Fuller, H. V.↗

Scattering by spheres with nonisotropic refractive indices

Experimental scattering results using a microwave analog technique are described. Artificially constructed axially symmetric spheres with a graphite-like fine-layered composite structure and anisotropic refractive indices were employed to aid high-precision measurements of forward scattering under stable conditions (temperature, physical dimensions, electronic conditions) and to facilitate studies of the extinction and polarization of light by graphite particles in interstellar space. A theoretical approximation utilizing Mie theory for spheres with suitable orientation-dependent refractive indices is applied to account for changes in the complex forward-scattering amplitudes and phase in response to target orientation. The methods are extended to the full range of scattering angles, from the forward direction continuously to about 165 deg and at 180 deg. Agreement between experiment and prediction is close when the symmetry axis is parallel to the polarization.

Wang, R. T.↗