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At least 379 records · Page 21

A method of classification for multisource data in remote sensing based on interval-valued probabilities

An axiomatic approach to intervalued (IV) probabilities is presented, where the IV probability is defined by a pair of set-theoretic functions which satisfy some pre-specified axioms. On the basis of this approach representation of statistical evidence and combination of multiple bodies of evidence are emphasized. Although IV probabilities provide an innovative means for the representation and combination of evidential information, they make the decision process rather complicated. It entails more intelligent strategies for making decisions. The development of decision rules over IV probabilities is discussed from the viewpoint of statistical pattern recognition. The proposed method, so called evidential reasoning method, is applied to the ground-cover classification of a multisource data set consisting of Multispectral Scanner (MSS) data, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, and digital terrain data such as elevation, slope, and aspect. By treating the data sources separately, the method is able to capture both parametric and nonparametric information and to combine them. Then the method is applied to two separate cases of classifying multiband data obtained by a single sensor. In each case a set of multiple sources is obtained by dividing the dimensionally huge data into smaller and more manageable pieces based on the global statistical correlation information. By a divide-and-combine process, the method is able to utilize more features than the conventional maximum likelihood method.

Kim, Hakil↗

How large is the retrograde annual wobble?

Recent measurements of polar motion (wobble) made by space-geodetic methods are compared with older optical measurements. Multitaper spectra of these data show that the retrograde (clockwise) annual wobble is much larger in the older data than the newer data, implying systematic errors in the older techniques. Two additional analyses show evidence for a small retrograde motion in the newer data, which appears to be consistent between data types. This implies that the excitation of the retrograde wobble must be about half of the prograde excitation. None of the available estimates of the excitation shows full agreement with these observations.

King, N. E.↗

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

The NASA SLR Operational Center is responsible for: 1) NASA SLR network control, sustaining engineering, and logistics; 2) ILRS mission operations; and 3) ILRS and NASA SLR data operations. NASA SLR network control and sustaining engineering tasks include technical support, daily system performance monitoring, system scheduling, operator training, station status reporting, system relocation, logistics and support of the ILRS Networks and Engineering Working Group. These activities ensure the NASA SLR systems are meeting ILRS and NASA mission support requirements. ILRS mission operations tasks include mission planning, mission analysis, mission coordination, development of mission support plans, and support of the ILRS Missions Working Group. These activities ensure than new mission and campaign requirements are coordinated with the ILRS. Global Normal Points (NP) data, NASA SLR FullRate (FR) data, and satellite predictions are managed as part of data operations. Part of this operation includes supporting the ILRS Data Formats and Procedures Working Group. Global NP data operations consist of receipt, format and data integrity verification, archiving and merging. This activity culminates in the daily electronic transmission of NP files to the CDDIS. Currently of all these functions are automated. However, to ensure the timely and accurate flow of data, regular monitoring and maintenance of the operational software systems, computer systems and computer networking are performed. Tracking statistics between the stations and the data centers are compared periodically to eliminate lost data. Future activities in this area include sub-daily (i.e., hourly) NP data management, more stringent data integrity tests, and automatic station notification of format and data integrity issues.

Carter, David↗

Dissolution Rates of Allophane with Variable Fe Contents: Implications for Aqueous Alteration and the Preservation of X-ray Amorphous Materials on Mars

Recent measurements from Mars document X-ray amorphous/nano-crystalline materials in multiple locations across the planet. However, despite their prevalence, little is known about these materials or what their presence implies for the history of Mars. The X-ray amorphous component of the martian soil in Gale crater has an X-ray diffraction pattern that can be partially fit with allophane (approximately Al2O3•(SiO2)1.3-2•(H2O)2.5-3), and the low-temperature water release data are consistent with allophane. The chemical data from Gale crater suggest that other silicate materials similar to allophane, such as Fe-substituted allophane (approximately (Fe2O3)0.01-0.5(Al2O3)0.5-0.99•(SiO2)2•3H2O), may also be present. In order to investigate the properties of these potential poorly crystalline components of the martian soil, Fe-free allophane (Fe:Al = 0), Fe-poor allophane (Fe:Al = 1:99), and Fe-rich allophane (Fe:Al = 1:1) were synthesized and then characterized using electron microscopy and Mars-relevant techniques, including infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and evolved gas analysis. Dissolution experiments were performed at acidic (initial pH values pH0 = 3.01, pH0 = 5.04), near-neutral (pH0 = 6.99), and alkaline (pH0 = 10.4) conditions in order to determine dissolution kinetics and alteration phases for these poorly crystalline materials. Dissolution rates (rdiss), based on the rate of Si release into solution, show that these poorly crystalline materials dissolve approximately an order of magnitude faster than crystalline phases with similar compositions at all pH conditions. For Fe-free allophane, logrdiss = -10.65 – 0.15 × pH; for Fe-poor allophane, logrdiss = -10.35 – 0.22 × pH; and for Fe-rich allophane, logrdiss = -11.46 – 0.042 × pH at 25°C, where rdiss has the units of mol m-2 s-1. The formation of incipient phyllosilicate-like phases was detected in Fe-free and Fe-rich allophane reacted in aqueous solutions with pH0 = 10.4 (steady-state pH ≈ 8). Mars-analog instrument analyses demonstrate that Fe-free allophane, Fe-poor allophane, and Fe-rich allophane are appropriate analogs for silicate phases in the martian amorphous soil component. Therefore, similar materials on Mars must have had limited interaction with liquid water since their formation. Combined with chemical changes expected from weathering, such as phyllosilicate formation, the rapid alteration of these poorly crystalline materials may be a useful tool for evaluating the extent of aqueous alteration in returned samples of martian soils.

S J Ralston↗

Development of a Consistent GEOsat Cloud Property Dataset for the CERES Climate Data Record

Cloud properties are critical for understanding the Earth’s radiation budget and cloud feedbacks. At NASA Langley Research Center, the Satellite ClOud and Radiative Property retrieval System (SatCORPS) provides real-time and historical analyses of clouds derived from Geostationary satellite (GEOsat) data for weather and climate applications. For the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) program, the global constellation of GEOsats has been analyzed since 2000 to help characterize and account for the diurnal cycle of clouds and their radiative impacts in the CERES climate data record. Obtaining consistent cloud properties over the GEOsat data record during the CERES era is a major objective but a significant challenge considering the diversity of imaging capabilities deployed during that time. The GEOsat data analysis approach for the current CERES Edition-4 (Ed4) data products was focused on accuracy and consistency with MODIS by employing as much spectral information as possible from each satellite. However, the inconsistent use of spectral information across GEOsats led to marked discontinuities in the spatial and temporal record of cloud properties that had to be accounted for post facto in downstream CERES processing. This paper reports progress in developing a new GEOsat analysis system for the next CERES edition (Ed5) that has potential to improve cross-platform consistency and continuity. In this approach, the spectral channel complement is limited to just 3-channels during daytime, ~0.65 µm (VIS), ~3.9 µm (NIR), and ~10.8 µm (IR), common to nearly all of the satellites in the record. At night, a 2-channel approach is taken with the NIR and IR, and ~6.7 µm bands that includes a machine learning approach for optically thick cloud properties. A tradeoff is the potential for reduced accuracy particularly using data from the more advanced satellites that have more spectral channels (e.g. SEVIRI, AHI and ABI) that are known to help improve thin cirrus detection, cloud-aerosol discrimination and estimates in other difficult conditions that challenge cloud remote sensing. The new continuity approach is applied to one month of global GEOSat data for each year of the CERES record since 2000 and compared with the Ed4 GEO and MODIS cloud property time series in order to evaluate the level of improved consistency in the GEOsat record and to assess the accuracy impacts. Cloud fraction will also be assessed with CALIPSO data. Outstanding issues and challenges will be discussed. The results are expected to guide future work needed to develop a more robust GEOsat cloud data record for CERES.

CERES CDR↗

Ar-40/Ar-39 and U-Th-Pb dating of separated clasts from the Abee E4 chondrite

Ar-40/Ar-39 and U-Th-Pb are investigated for three clasts from the Abee (E4) enstatite chondrite, yielding Ar-40/Ar-39 plateau ages (and/or maximum ages) of 4.5 Gy, while two of the clasts give average ages of 4.4 Gy. The 4.4-4.5 Gy range does not resolve possible age differences among the clasts. The U-Th-Pb data are consistent with the interpretation that initial clast formation occurred 4.58 Gy ago, and that the clasts have since remained closed systems which have been contaminated with terrestrial Pb. The thermal history of Abee deduced from Ar data seems consistent with that deduced from magnetic data, suggesting that various Abee components experienced separate histories until brecciation no later than 4.4 Gy ago, experiencing no significant subsequent heating.

Bogard, D. D.↗

Infrared spectroscopy of simulated Martian surface materials

Mineralogy inferred from the Viking X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) is compared with mineralogy indicated by spectral data. The comparison is done by taking laboratory spectra of Viking analog minerals. Both XRFS and infrared data are consistent with clays as the dominant SiO2 containing minerals on Mars. The X-ray fluorescence data might also be consistent with the dominance of certain mafic SiO2 igneous minerals, but the spectral data are probably inconsistent with such materials. Sulfates, inferred by XRFS, are consistent with the spectral data. Inferences following Mariner 9 that high-SiO2 minerals were important on Mars may have been biased by the presence of sulfates. Calcium carbonate, in the quantities indirectly suggested by XRFS are inconsistent with the spectral data, but smaller quantities of CaCO3 are consistent, as are large quantities of other carbonates.

Toon, O. B.↗

Photospheric Emission in the Joint GBM and Konus Prompt Spectra of GRB 120323A

GRB 120323A is a very intense short gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected simultaneously during its prompt gamma-ray emission phase with the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (GBM) on board the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope and the Konus experiment on board the Wind satellite. GBM and Konus operate in the kiloelectronvolt - megaelectronvolt regime; however, the GBM range is broader toward both the low and the high parts of the gamma-ray spectrum. Analyses of such bright events provide a unique opportunity to check the consistency of the data analysis as well as cross-calibrate the two instruments. We performed time-integrated and coarse time-resolved spectral analysis of GRB 120323A prompt emission. We conclude that the analyses of GBM and Konus data are only consistent when using a double-hump spectral shape for both data sets; in contrast, the single hump of the empirical Band function, traditionally used to fit GRB prompt emission spectra, leads to significant discrepancies between GBM and Konus analysis results. Our two-hump model is a combination of a thermal-like and a non-thermal component. We interpret the first component as a natural manifestation of the jet photospheric emission.

Guiriec, S.↗

Elevating the Quality of Space Omics Sequencing Data: Innovations and Methodologies from NASA GeneLab Sample Processing Laboratory

NASA’s GeneLab, part of the NASA Open Science Data Repository, is a space-related database that hosts a diverse range of transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics and genomics data. The NASA GeneLab Sample Processing Laboratory (SPL) generates omics data from biological experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station, Space Shuttle and space related ground experiments, this omics data then hosted on the GeneLab repository. Samples generated such experiments pose numerous technical challenges such as small experimental sample size, variance in dissection times, limited tissue preservation methods, prolonged storage time, and more. GeneLab SPL team had developed specialized expertise in nucleic acid extraction, library preparation and sequencing of such biological samples via extensive training and years of experience. In order to ensure data accuracy and consistency across experiments, SPL has developed standardized protocols for each species and tissue type. These protocols in conjunction with quality control metrics and data standards are crucial in generating of high-quality data. SPL protocols and standards have been developed in collaboration with the scientific community and had been made publicly available on the GeneLab portal, guaranteeing comparability of datasets across spaceflight experiments. To ensure reliability of data generation, SPL leverages cutting-edge innovations in laboratory automation for sample processing. By leveraging these state-of-the-art platforms, SPL achieves high levels of data reproducibility while significantly minimizing sources of bias and variability, especially across experiments with large numbers of samples. Over the past few years, the space biology investigator community has accessed SPL-generated data from the Open Science Data Repository for a myriad of data re-analysis and re-use studies. We observe a trend that in-house SPL-generated data consistently outperforms outsourced sequencing data in terms of technical standards, quality control metrics, timeliness of data delivery, and sequencing and reagent efficiency. Superior data generation has and will continue to enable discoveries in disease, diagnostic tools, and the biological effects of long duration spaceflight.

GeneLab↗

Elevating the Quality of Space Omics Sequencing Data: Innovations and Methodologies from NASA GeneLab Sample Processing Laboratory

NASA’s GeneLab, part of the NASA Open Science Data Repository, is a space-related database that hosts a diverse range of transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics and genomics data. The NASA GeneLab Sample Processing Laboratory (SPL) generates omics data from biological experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station, Space Shuttle and space related ground experiments, this omics data then hosted on the GeneLab repository. Samples generated such experiments pose numerous technical challenges such as small experimental sample size, variance in dissection times, limited tissue preservation methods, prolonged storage time, and more. GeneLab SPL team had developed specialized expertise in nucleic acid extraction, library preparation and sequencing of such biological samples via extensive training and years of experience. In order to ensure data accuracy and consistency across experiments, SPL has developed standardized protocols for each species and tissue type. These protocols in conjunction with quality control metrics and data standards are crucial in generating of high-quality data. SPL protocols and standards have been developed in collaboration with the scientific community and had been made publicly available on the GeneLab portal, guaranteeing comparability of datasets across spaceflight experiments. To ensure reliability of data generation, SPL leverages cutting-edge innovations in laboratory automation for sample processing. By leveraging these state-of-the-art platforms, SPL achieves high levels of data reproducibility while significantly minimizing sources of bias and variability, especially across experiments with large numbers of samples. Over the past few years, the space biology investigator community has accessed SPL-generated data from the Open Science Data Repository for a myriad of data re-analysis and re-use studies. We observe a trend that in-house SPL-generated data consistently outperforms outsourced sequencing data in terms of technical standards, quality control metrics, timeliness of data delivery, and sequencing and reagent efficiency. Superior data generation has and will continue to enable discoveries in disease, diagnostic tools, and the biological effects of long duration spaceflight.

GeneLab↗

The magnetic-field investigation on ISPM

The International Solar Polar Mission (ISPM) onboard instrumentation for the magnetic field experiment to establish, on the basis of in-situ observations, the heliolatitude dependence of the interplanetary magnetic field, is described. The prime output consists of vector measurements, made by two triaxial magnetometers, of the ambient magnetic field along the orbit of the spacecraft. The onboard data processor generates two data streams to be transmitted through the spacecraft telemetry. The low speed, analog data stream consists of averaged and despun vector measurements, digitized in the spacecraft analog to digital converter (ADC). The despinning algorithm used in the analog processor is described. The high speed, digital data stream consists of vector measurements digitized in the instrument ADCs, generating up to two vector samples per sec. Multiple data-path switching is used to increase system reliability and to allow cross calibration of the ADCs. On board facilities for inflight calibration are described.

Balogh, A.↗

Detection of soil moisture and snow characteristics from Skylab

The author has identified the following significant results. The most significant result is the good response of the passive radiometers, particularly the L-band radiometer, to changing soil moisture conditions near the surface of the earth. Radiometer response was very good for the five complete data sets consisting of three passes across Texas and two passes across Kansas. When data from the five different passes were combined, the correlation between the S194 radiometric temperature and soil moisture content remained high with a value of -0.96. The performance of the S193 passive radiometer was less consistent; however, one data set gave a very high correlation of -0.95. The scatterometer response to soil moisture at incidence angles near 30 deg was not as good as for the radiometers.

Eagleman, J. R.↗

MSL SAM-Like Evolved Gas Analyses of Si-rich Amorphous Materials

Chemical and mineralogical analyses of several samples from Murray Formation mudstones and Stimson Formation sandstones by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) revealed the presence of Si-rich amorphous or poorly ordered materials. It is possible to identify the presence of high-SiO2 vs. lower SiO2 amorphous materials (e.g., basaltic glasses), based on the position of the resulting wide diffraction features in XRD patterns from the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument, but it is not possible to distinguish between several candidate high-SiO2 amorphous materials such as opal-A or rhyolitic glass. In the Buckskin (BS) sample from the upper Murray Formation, and the Big Sky (BY) and Greenhorn (GH) samples from the Stimson Formation, analyses by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument showed very broad H2O evolutions during sample heating at temperatures >450-500degC which had not been observed from previous samples. BS also had a significant broad evolution <450-500degC. We have undertaken a laboratory study targeted at understanding if the data from SAM can be used to place constraints on the nature of the amorphous phases. SAM-like evolved gas analyses have been performed on several opal and rhyolitic glass samples. Opal-A samples exhibited wide <500degC H2O evolutions, with lesser H2O evolved above ~500degC. H2O evolution traces from rhyolitic glasses varied, having either two broad H2O peaks, <300degC and >500degC, or a broad peak centered around 400degC. For samples that produced two evolutions, the lower temperature peak is more intense than the higher temperature peak, a trend also exhibited by opal-A. This trend is consistent with data from BS, but does not seem consistent with data from BY and GH which evolved most of their H2O >500degC. It may be that dehydration of opal-A and/or rhyolitic glass can result in some preferential loss of lower temperature H2O, to produce traces that more closely resemble BY and GH. This is currently under investigation and results will be reported.

McAdam, Amy↗

Evaluation of algorithms for estimating wheat acreage from multispectral scanner data

The author has identified the following significant results. Fourteen different classification algorithms were tested for their ability to estimate the proportion of wheat in an area. For some algorithms, accuracy of classification in field centers was observed. The data base consisted of ground truth and LANDSAT data from 55 sections (1 x 1 mile) from five LACIE intensive test sites in Kansas and Texas. Signatures obtained from training fields selected at random from the ground truth were generally representative of the data distribution patterns. LIMMIX, an algorithm that chooses a pure signature when the data point is close enough to a signature mean and otherwise chooses the best mixture of a pair of signatures, reduced the average absolute error to 6.1% and the bias to 1.0%. QRULE run with a null test achieved a similar reduction.

Nalepka, R. F.↗

SAVLOC, computer program for automatic control and analysis of X-ray fluorescence experiments

A program for a PDP-15 computer is presented which provides for control and analysis of trace element determinations by using X-ray fluorescence. The program simultaneously handles data accumulation for one sample and analysis of data from previous samples. Data accumulation consists of sample changing, timing, and data storage. Analysis requires the locating of peaks in X-ray spectra, determination of intensities of peaks, identification of origins of peaks, and determination of a real density of the element responsible for each peak. The program may be run in either a manual (supervised) mode or an automatic (unsupervised) mode.

Leonard, R. F.↗

Pacific area data collection stations

The installation of environmental data collection systems at several remotely located sites in islands in the Pacific Ocean is summarized. The effort was designed to enhance the ability to collect hydrological information. The data collection station consists of a data acquisition system for handling data, a transmitter for uplinking information to the GOES-W geostationary satellite, and a variety of environmental sensors for data accumulation. Each system was assembled, tested, and deployed on designated islands. The concept of using microprocessors for handling data at remote sites and relaying it via a satellite link is a cost effective approach. Such systems require high reliability and proven performance in the field.

Rector, R. C.↗

The soft X-ray spectrum of Sirius B - Evidence for the photospheric hypothesis

The soft X-ray spectrum of Sirius obtained by the HEAO 1 A-2 experiment is used to investigate the origin of the X-radiation from that system. It is shown that, if the emission is coronal, then the coronal temperature must be less than 150,000 K, and the coronal luminosity must be greater than 10 to the 33rd ergs/s. Such a corona conflicts severely with EUV observations and is physically untenable. White dwarf atmosphere models are fitted to the spectrum and it is shown that a photospheric temperature of 28,000 K is much more consistent with the data. The relative consistency of the soft X-ray, EUV, and UV observations of Sirius B is discussed and it is concluded that the evidence favors the white dwarf photosphere as the origin of the soft X-rays.

Martin, C.↗

Proton-air and proton-proton cross sections from air shower data

Data on the fluctuations in depth of maximum development of cosmic ray air showers, corrected for the effects of mixed primary composition and shower development fluctuations, yield values of the inelastic proton-air cross section for laboratory energies in the range 10 to the 8th power to 10 to the 10th power GeV. From these values of proton-air cross section, corresponding values of the proton-proton total cross section are derived by means of Glauber theory and geometrical scaling. The resulting values of proton-proton cross section are inconsistent with a well known 1n(2)s extrapolation of ISR data which is consistent with SPS data; they indicate a less rapid rate of increase in the interval 540 sq root of s 100000 GeV.

Linsley, J.↗