Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “centrality measures”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16

Influence of central venous pressure upon sinus node responses to arterial baroreflex stimulation in man

Measurements were made of sinus node responses to arterial baroreceptor stimulation with phenylephrine injection or neck suction, before and during changes of central venous pressure provoked by lower body negative pressure or leg and lower truck elevation. Variations of central venous pressure between 1.1 and 9.0 mm Hg did not influence arterial baroreflex mediated bradycardia. Baroreflex sinus node responses were augmented by intravenous propranolol, but the level of responses after propranolol was comparable during the control state, lower body negative pressure, and leg and trunk elevation. Sinus node responses to very brief baroreceptor stimuli applied during the transitions of central venous pressure also were comparable in the three states. The authors conclude that physiological variations of central venous pressure do not influence sinus node responses to arterial baroreceptor stimulation in man.

Mark, A. L.↗

Review of European microgravity measurements

AA In a French/Russion cooperation, CNES developed a microgravity detection system for analyzing the Mir space station micro-g-environment for the first time. European efforts to characterize the microgravity (1/9) environment within a space laboratory began in the late seventies with the design of the First Spacelab Mission SL-1. Its Material Science Double Rack was the first payload element to carry its own tri-axial acceleration package. Even though incapable for any frequency analysis, the data provided a wealth of novel information for optimal experiment and hardware design and operations for missions to come. Theoretical investigations under ESA contract demonstrated the significance of the detailed knowledge of micro-g data for a thorough experiment analysis. They especially revealed the high sensitivity of numerous phenomena to low frequency acceleration. Accordingly, the payloads of the Spacelab missions D-1 and D-2 were furnished with state-of-the-art detection systems to ensure frequency analysis between 0.1 and 100 Hz. The Microgravity Measurement Assembly (MMA) of D-2 was a centralized system comprising fixed installed as well as mobile tri-axial packages showing real-time data processing and transmission to ground. ESA's free flyer EURECA carried a system for continuous measurement over the entire mission. All EURECA subsystems and experimental facilities had to meet tough requirements defining the upper acceleration limits. In a French/Russion cooperation, CNES developed a mi crogravity detection system for analyzing the Mir space station micro-g-environment for the first time. An approach to get access to low frequency acceleration between 0 and 0.02 Hz will be realized by QSAM (Quasi-steady Acceleration Measurement) on IML-2, complementary to the NASA system Spacelab Acceleration Measurement System SAMS. A second flight of QSAM is planned for the Russian free flyer FOTON.

Hamacher, Hans↗

The position angle of Jupiter's linearly polarized synchrotron emission Observations extending over 16 years

Parkes, Owens Valley and Goldstone measurements are presented, showing the variation with central meridian longitude of the position angle of Jupiter's linearly polarized synchrotron emission at wavelengths of 21, 13, 11 and 6 cm; the observations span a total time interval greater than one Jovian orbital period. The form of the position angle versus longitude curve shows a slight dependence on wavelength and epoch. The epoch dependence appears to reflect Jupiter's changing aspect with respect to the earth. The observations yield a Jovian rotation period agreeing to within about 0.02 s with that derived from the decametric burst measurements, implying a highly stable inner magnetic field configuration.

Komesaroff, M. M.↗

CCD photometry of globular cluster core structure. I - NGC 6388, NGC 6624, and M15: One flat core and two cusps

The first results of a major survey of globular cluster core structure are reported. Surface brightness profiles for three clusters are presented: one with a normal flat core profile (NGC 6388), and two with central cusps (NGC 6624 and M15). The profiles are fitted with both seeing-convolved King models and seeing-convolved power laws. A King model provides a reasonable fit to the entire profile of NGC 6388, but there are no acceptable King profiles for NGC 6624 and M15. For these two clusters, a seeing-convolved power law provides a good fit to the inner part of the profile, while a King model gives a good fit to the outer part of the profile. The interpretation of the measured power-law slopes of the central surface brightness cusps of NGC 6624 and M15 are discussed in terms of models for core collapse in a multicomponent cluster.

Lugger, Phyllis M.↗

Statistical Approaches for the Definition of Landslide Rainfall Thresholds and their Uncertainty Using Rain Gauge and Satellite Data

Models for forecasting rainfall-induced landslides are mostly based on the identification of empirical rainfall thresholds obtained exploiting rain gauge data. Despite their increased availability, satellite rainfall estimates are scarcely used for this purpose. Satellite data should be useful in ungauged and remote areas, or should provide a significant spatial and temporal reference in gauged areas. In this paper, the analysis of the reliability of rainfall thresholds based on rainfall remote sensed and rain gauge data for the prediction of landslide occurrence is carried out. To date, the estimation of the uncertainty associated with the empirical rainfall thresholds is mostly based on a bootstrap resampling of the rainfall duration and the cumulated event rainfall pairs (D,E) characterizing rainfall events responsible for past failures. This estimation does not consider the measurement uncertainty associated with D and E. In the paper, we propose (i) a new automated procedure to reconstruct ED conditions responsible for the landslide triggering and their uncertainties, and (ii) three new methods to identify rainfall threshold for the possible landslide occurrence, exploiting rain gauge and satellite data. In particular, the proposed methods are based on Least Square (LS), Quantile Regression (QR) and Nonlinear Least Square (NLS) statistical approaches. We applied the new procedure and methods to define empirical rainfall thresholds and their associated uncertainties in the Umbria region (central Italy) using both rain-gauge measurements and satellite estimates. We finally validated the thresholds and tested the effectiveness of the different threshold definition methods with independent landslide information. The NLS method among the others performed better in calculating thresholds in the full range of rainfall durations. We found that the thresholds obtained from satellite data are lower than those obtained from rain gauge measurements. This is in agreement with the literature, where satellite rainfall data underestimate the 'ground' rainfall registered by rain gauges.

landslide prediction↗

The ionization structure of the Ring Nebula. II - Ultraviolet observations

Good agreement is found for O and N abundances, and the importance of charge-transfer reactions to the ionization of Ne is confirmed, in UV observations of emission line intensities for four positions in the Ring Nebula that have been previously studied optically. It is noted that the C(2+) abundance inferred from the optical 4267 A recombination line is as much as 10 times brighter than that measured from the UV lines, and that this discrepancy is greatest near the central star. The most attractive explanation for this phenomenon is the resonance fluorescence due to light from the central star. Both Ne/O and C/H abundances are in good agreement with previously measured average values for planetary nebulae.

Barker, T.↗

Multipoint sensing by intelligent collectives

Many remote sensing applications require that multiple sensors collect data simultaneously at spatially distributed locations and their information combined in order to characterize the phenomena of interest. Several basic classes of such multipoint measurement systems may be identified. For each, centralized methods exist for combining the raw data from the various sensors. However, recent advancements have given rise to small, integrated nodes comprised of one or more miniaturized sensors, processor, wireless communications capability and power supplies. Collections of these may be deployed and self-organized into intelligent sensor networks capable of performing cooperative signal processing locally, thereby providing substantial benefits.

multipoint measurement sensor networks↗

Shock tube investigation of dynamic response of pressure transducers for validation of rotor performance measurements

For some time now, NASA has had a program under way to aid in the validation of rotor performance and acoustics codes associated with the UH-60 rotary-wing aircraft; and to correlate results of such studies with those obtained from investigations of other selected aircraft rotor performance. A central feature of these studies concerns the dynamic measurement of surface pressure at various locations up to frequencies of 25 KHz. For this purpose, fast-response gauges of the Kulite type are employed. The latter need to be buried in the rotor; they record surface pressures which are transmitted by a pipette connected to the gauge. The other end of the pipette is cut flush with the surface. In certain locations, the pipette configuration includes a rather sharp right-angle bend. The natural question has arisen in this connection: In what way are the pipettes modifying the signals received at the rotor surface and subsequently transmitted to the sensitive Kulite transducer element. The basic details and results of the program performed and recently completed in the High Pressure Shock Tube Laboratory of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University are given.

Bershader, Daniel↗

Mass and Momentum Turbulent Transport Experiments with Confined Coaxial Jets

Downstream mixing of coaxial jets discharging in an expanded duct was studied to obtain data for the evaluation and improvement of turbulent transport models currently used in a variety of computational procedures throughout the propulsion community for combustor flow modeling. Flow visualization studies showed four major shear regions occurring; a wake region immediately downstream of the inlet jet inlet duct; a shear region further downstream between the inner and annular jets; a recirculation zone; and a reattachment zone. A combination of turbulent momentum transport rate and two velocity component data were obtained from simultaneous measurements with a two color laser velocimeter (LV) system. Axial, radial and azimuthal velocities and turbulent momentum transport rate measurements in the r-z and r-theta planes were used to determine the mean value, second central moment (or rms fluctuation from mean), skewness and kurtosis for each data set probability density function (p.d.f.). A combination of turbulent mass transport rate, concentration and velocity data were obtained system. Velocity and mass transport in all three directions as well as concentration distributions were used to obtain the mean, second central moments, skewness and kurtosis for each p.d.f. These LV/LIF measurements also exposed the existence of a large region of countergradient turbulent axial mass transport in the region where the annular jet fluid was accelerating the inner jet fluid.

Johnson, B. V.↗

Lightning Instrumentation System

A new comprehensive lightning instrumentation system has been designed for the Mobile Launcher 1 (ML-1) at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This new instrumentation system includes the synchronized recording of three B-dot, 3-axis measurement stations, one D-dot sensor and eighteen vehicle measurement channels. Each vehicle measurement channel is comprised of two currents and one voltage measurements. The instrumentation system is composed of centralized transient recorders and digitizers, connected to the transient recorders via fiber optic cables. The transient recorders are triggered by the B-dot or D-dot sensors. When the Space Launch System (SLS) vehicle is present at the ML-1, the transient recorders record data on a dual sampling rate mode, continuous slow 5 kilo-samples per second (per channel) and event driven fast 100 mega-samples per second (per channel). Without the presence of the vehicle at the ML-1, the instrumentation system operates only as an event driven fast 100 mega-samples per second (per channel). In the absence of the vehicle, the only measurements recorded are the B-dot and D-dot stations. Additionally, a portable Lightning Monitoring System (LMS) is temporarily installed inside the Orion Crew Capsule module monitoring one portable B-dot, 3-axis measurement station, and 2 Crew Capsule BUS voltages. The portable LMS has a transient recorder independent of the ML-1 transient recorders, that is triggered by the portable B-dot sensor or transients on the vehicle BUS voltages. This portable instrumentation is removed while performing close out operations before the vehicle launch. For the ML-1 lightning instrumentation system, new custom B-dot and D-dot sensors were designed and prototypes were tested at the International Center for Lightning Research and Testing (ICLRT) at Camp Blanding, Florida. The Ground Special Power (GSP) vehicle measurement channels monitoring on the ML-1 is done via 1) Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) current shunts and 2) custom Voltage Dividers. The new ML-1 lightning instrumentation system was designed, fabricated, deployed, and tested prior to the summer of 2019, in preparation for the first NASA's SLS mission to be launched from the Launch Complex 39B (LC-39B). The ML-1 lightning instrumentation was designed to complement the LC-39B lightning instrumentation system providing electromagnetic measurements closer to the vehicle, at different heights and inside the Crew capsule module.

Angel G Mata↗

HEAO 1 hard X-ray observations of three Abell clusters of galaxies

The results of an analysis of the HEAO 1 hard X-ray measurements of the Coma, A1367, and A2319 galactic clusters are presented. All three clusters have been observed to have diffuse, extended radio emission in their central regions. The results are analyzed together with radio measurements to determine the energetic electron density and the strength of the mean intracluster magnetic field in these clusters. The results show that there is no clear evidence for nonthermal flux in the spectra of the three clusters at the sensitivity limit of the low energy detectors used.

Rephaeli, Y.↗

Plate motions and deformations from geologic and geodetic data

The very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) measurements made in the western U.S. since 1979 provide discrete samples of the temporal and spatial deformation field. The interpretation of the VLBI derived rates of deformation requires an examination of geologic information and more densely sampled ground based geodetic data. Triangulation and trilateration data measured on two regional networks, one in the central Mojave Desert and one in the Coast Ranges east of the San Andreas fault, were processed. At the spatial scales spanned by these local geodetic networks, auxiliary geologic and geophysical data were utilized to examine the relation between measured incremental strain and the accommodation of strain seen in local geologic structures, strain release in earthquakes, and principal stress directions inferred from in situ measurements. VLBI data was also processed from stations distributed across the Pacific-North America plate boundary zone in the western U.S. The VLBI data were used to constrain the integrated rate of deformation across portions of the continental plate boundary in California and to provide a tectonic framework to interpret regional geodetic and geologic studies.

Jordan, Thomas H.↗

Airborne In-Situ Measurements of Formaldehyde Over California: First Results from the Compact Formaldehyde Fluorescence Experiment (COFFEE) Instrument

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is one of the most abundant oxygenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere, playing a role multiple atmospheric processes. Measurements of HCHO can be used to help quantify convective transport, the abundance of VOCs, and ozone production in urban environments. The Compact Formaldehyde FluorescencE Experiment (COFFEE) instrument uses Non-Resonant Laser Induced Fluorescence (NR-LIF) to detect trace concentrations of HCHO as part of the Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) payload. Developed at NASA GSFC, COFFEE is a small, low maintenance instrument with a sensitivity of 100 pptv and a quick response time (1 sec). The COFFEE instrument has been customized to fit in an external wing pod on the Alpha Jet aircraft based at NASA ARC. The instrument can operate over a broad range of altitudes, from boundary layer to lower stratosphere, making it well suited for the Alpha Jet, which can access altitudes from the surface up to 40,000 ft. Results of the first COFFEE science flights preformed over the California's Central Valley will be presented. Boundary layer measurements and vertical profiles in the tropospheric column will both be included. This region is of particular interest, due to its elevated levels of HCHO, revealed in satellite images, as well as its high ozone concentrations. In addition to HCHO, the AJAX payload includes measurements of atmospheric ozone, methane, and carbon dioxide. Formaldehyde is one of the few urban pollutants that can be measured from space. Plans to compare in-situ COFFEE data with satellite-based HCHO observations such as those from OMI (Aura) and OMPS (SuomiNPP) will also be presented.

ozone↗

Airborne In-Situ Measurements of Formaldehyde over California: First Results from the Compact Formaldehyde Fluorescence Experiment (COFFEE) Instrument

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is one of the most abundant oxygenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere, playing a role multiple atmospheric processes. Measurements of HCHO can be used to help quantify convective transport, the abundance of VOCs, and ozone production in urban environments. The Compact Formaldehyde FluorescencE Experiment (COFFEE) instrument uses Non-Resonant Laser Induced Fluorescence (NR-LIF) to detect trace concentrations of HCHO as part of the Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) payload. Developed at NASA GSFC, COFFEE is a small, low maintenance instrument with a sensitivity of 100 pptv and a quick response time (1 sec). The COFFEE instrument has been customized to fit in an external wing pod on the Alpha Jet aircraft based at NASA ARC. The instrument can operate over a broad range of altitudes, from boundary layer to lower stratosphere, making it well suited for the Alpha Jet, which can access altitudes from the surface up to 40,000 ft. Results of the first COFFEE science flights preformed over the California's Central Valley will be presented. Boundary layer measurements and vertical profiles in the tropospheric column will both be included. This region is of particular interest, due to its elevated levels of HCHO, revealed in satellite images, as well as its high ozone concentrations. In addition to HCHO, the AJAX payload includes measurements of atmospheric ozone, methane, and carbon dioxide. Formaldehyde is one of the few urban pollutants that can be measured from space. Plans to compare in-situ COFFEE data with satellite-based HCHO observations such as those from OMI (Aura) and OMPS (SuomiNPP) will also be presented.

coffee↗

Geodetic measurement of deformation in California

The very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) measurements made in the western U.S. since 1979 as part of the NASA Crustal Dynamics Project provide discrete samples of the temporal and spatial deformation field. The interpretation of the VLBI-derived rates of deformation requires an examination of geologic information and more densely sampled ground-based geodetic data. In the first two of three related studies, triangulation and trilateration data measured on two regional networks, one in the central Mojave Desert and one in the Coast Ranges east of the San Andreas fault, have been processed. At the spatial scales spanned by these local geodetic networks, auxiliary geologic and geophysical data have been utilized to examine the relation between measured incremental strain and the accommodation of strain seen in local geological structures, strain release in earthquakes, and principal stress directions inferred from in situ measurements. In a third study, the geocentric position vectors from a set of 77 VLBI experiments beginning in October 1982 have been used to estimate the tangential rate of change of station positions in the western U.S. in a North-America-Fixed reference frame.

Sauber, Jeanne↗

Characteristics and Composition of Atmospheric Aerosols in Phimai, Central Thailand During BASE-ASIA

Popular summary: Atmospheric aerosols play an important role in the Earth's climate system, and can also have adverse effects on air quality and human health. The environmental impacts of aerosols, on the other hand, are highly regional, since their temporal/spatial distribution is inhomogeneous and highly depends on the regional emission sources. To better understand the effects of aerosols, intensive field experiments are necessary to characterize the chemical and physical properties on a region-by-region basis. From late February to early May in 2006, NASA/GSFC's SMARTLabs facility was deployed at a rural site in central Thailand, Southeast Asia, to conduct a field experiment dubbed BASE-ASIA (Biomass-burning Aerosols in South East-Asia: Smoke Impact Assessment). The group was joined by scientists from the University of Hawaii and other regional institutes. Comprehensive measurements were made during the experiment, including aerosol chemical composition, optical and microphysical properties, as well as surface energetics and local . meteorology. This study analyzes part of the data from the BASE-ASIA experiment. It was found that, even for the relatively remote rural site, the aerosol loading was still substantial. Besides agricultural burning in the area, industrial pollution near the Bangkok metropolitan area, about 200 km southeast of the site, and even long-range transport from China, also contribute to the area's aerosol loading. The results indicate that aerosol pollution has developed into a regional problem for northern Indochina, and may become more severe as the region's population and economy continue to grow. Abstract: Comprehensive measurements of atmospheric aerosols were made in Phimai, central Thailand (15.l83 N, 102.565 E, elevation: 206 m) during the BASE-ASIA field experiment from late February to early May in 2006. The observed aerosol loading was sizable for this rural site (mean aerosol scattering: 108 +/- 64 Mm(exp -1); absorption: 15 +/- 8 Mm(exp -1); PM(sub 10) concentration: 33 +/- 17 miro-g/ cubic m and dominated by submicron particles. Major aerosol compounds included carbonaceous (OC: 9.5 +/- 3.6miro-g/ cubic m; EC: 2.0 2.3 miro-g/ cubic m and secondary species (SO4(2-): 6.4 +/- 3.7 miro-g/ cubic m, NH4(+): 2.2 +/- 1.3 miro-g/ cubic m). While the site was seldom under the direct influence of large forest fires to its north, agricultural fires were ubiquitous during the experiment, as suggested by the substantial concentration of K+ (0.56 +/- 0.33 micro-g/ cubic m). Besides biomass burning, aerosols in Phimai during the experiment were also strongly influenced by industrial and vehicular emissions from the Bangkok metropolitan region and long-range transport from southern China. High humidity played an important role in determining the aerosol composition and properties in the region. Sulfate was primarily formed via aqueous phase reactions, and hygroscopic growth could enhance the aerosol light scattering by up to 60%, at the typical morning RH level of 85%. The aerosol single scattering albedo demonstrated distinct diurnal variation, ranging from 0.86 +/- 0.04 in the evening to 0.92 +/- 0.02 in the morning. This experiment marks the first time such comprehensive characterization of aerosols was made for rural central Thailand. Our results indicate that aerosol pollution has developed into a regional problem for northern Indochina, and may become more severe as the region's population and economy continue to grow.

Li, Can↗

LIF measurements of scalar mixing in turbulent shear layers

The structure of shear layer flows at high Reynolds numbers remains a very interesting problem. Straight mixing layers have been studied and yielded information on the probability density function (pdf) of a passive scalar across the layer. Konrad and Koochesfahani & Dimotakis measured the pdf of the mixture fraction for mixing layers of moderate Reynolds numbers, each about 25,000 (Re based on velocity difference and visual thickness). Their measurements showed a 'non-marching' pdf (central hump which is invariant from edge to edge across the layer), a result which is linked to the visualizations of the spanwise Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability mode, which is the primary instability for plane shear layer flows. A secondary instability mode, the Taylor-Gortler (T-G) instability, which is associated with streamwise vortical structures, has also been observed in shear layers. Image reconstruction by Jimenez et al. and volume renderings by Karasso & Mungal at low Re numbers have demonstrated that the K-H and the T-G instability modes occur simultaneously in a non-mutually destructive way, evidence that supports the quasi two-dimensional aspect of these flows and the non-marching character of the pdf at low Reynolds numbers. At higher Re numbers though, the interaction of these two instability modes is still unclear and may affect the mixing process. In this study, we perform measurements of the concentration pdf of plane mixing layers for different operating conditions. At a speed ratio of r = U(sub 1)/U(sub 2) = 4:1, we examine three Reynolds number cases: Re = 14,000, Re = 31,000, and Re = 62,000. Some other Re number cases' results, not presented in detail, are invoked to explain the behavior of the pdf of the concentration field. A case of r = 2.6:1 at Re = 20,000 is also considered. The planar laser-induced fluorescence technique is used to yield quantitative measurements. The different Re are obtained by changing the velocity magnitudes of the two streams. The question of resolution of these measurements is addressed. In order to investigate the effects of the initial conditions on the development and the structure of the mixing layer, the boundary layer on the high-speed side of the splitter plate is tripped. The average concentration and the average mixed fluid concentration are also calculated to further understand the changes in the shear layer for the different cases examined.

Karasso, Paris S.↗

POLAR-UVI and other Coordinated Observations of a Traveling Convection Vortex Event Observed on 24 July 1996

Coordinated analysis of data from the POLAR UVI instrument, ground magnetometers, incoherent scatter radar, solar wind monitors IMP-8 and WIND, and DMSP satellite is focused on a traveling convection vortex (TCV) event on 24 July 1966. Starting at 10:48 UT, ground magnetometers in Greenland and eastern Canada measure pulsations consistent with the passing overhead of a series of alternating TCV field-aligned current pairs. Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar measures strong modulation of the strength and direction of ionospheric plasma flow, The magnetometer pulsations grow in magnitude over the next hour, peaking in intensity at 11:39 UT, at which time the UVI instrument measures a localized intensification of auroral emissions over central and western Greenland. Subsequent images show the intensification grow in strength and propagate westward (tailward) until approximately 11:58 UT at which time the emissions fade. These observations are consistent with the westward passage of two pairs of moderately intense TCVs over central Greenland followed by a third very intense TCV pair. The intensification of auroral emissions at 11:39 UT is associated with the trailing vortex of the third TCV pair, thought to be the result of an upward field-aligned current. Measurements of the solar wind suggest that a pressure change may be responsible for triggering the first two pairs of TCVS, and that a subsequent sudden change in orientation of the IMF may have produced the intensification of the third TCV pair and the associated aurora] brightening. DMSP particle data indicate that the TCVs occur on field lines which map to the boundary plasma sheet or outer edge of the low latitude boundary layer.

Clauer, C. R.↗