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At least 685 records · Page 38

Coupling Pulse Radiolysis with Nanosecond Time-Resolved Step-Scan Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: Broadband Mid-Infrared Detection of Radiolytically Generated Transients

We describe the first implementation of broadband, nanosecond time-resolved step-scan Fourier transform infrared (S 2 -FT-IR) spectroscopy at a pulse radiolysis facility. This new technique allows the rapid acquisition of nano- to microsecond time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectra of transient species generated by pulse radiolysis of liquid samples at a pulsed electron accelerator. Wide regions of the mid-infrared can be probed in a single experiment, which often takes < 20–30 min to complete. It is therefore a powerful method for rapidly locating the IR absorptions of short-lived, radiation-induced species in solution, and for directly monitoring their subsequent reactions. Time-resolved step-scan FT-IR detection for pulse radiolysis thus complements our existing narrowband quantum cascade laser-based pulse radiolysis-TRIR detection system, which is more suitable for acquiring single-shot kinetics and narrowband TRIR spectra on small-volume samples and in strongly absorbing solvents, such as water. We have demonstrated the application of time-resolved step-scan FT-IR spectroscopy to pulse radiolysis by probing the metal carbonyl and organic carbonyl vibrations of the one-electron-reduced forms of two Re-based CO 2 reduction catalysts in acetonitrile solution. Transient IR absorption bands with amplitudes on the order of 1 × 10 −3 are easily detected on the sub-microsecond timescale using electron pulses as short as 250 ns.

(S2-FT-IR)↗

LACIE registration processing

The basic requirements for the LACIE processing system are to extract specified test sites (sample segments) from LANDSAT MSS data, and to apply geometric corrections and perform correlations to ensure registration between successive data acquisitions to within 1 pixel (root mean square). The general flow within the LACIE processing system is described with emphasis on (1) determination of line and pixel location of a search area within an MSS frame; (2) determination of the geometric correction coefficient and the application of geometric corrections; (3) edge detection; and (4) correlation by coincidence of edges.

Grebowsky, G. J.↗

Corn and soybean Landsat MSS classification performance as a function of scene characteristics

In order to fully utilize remote sensing to inventory crop production, it is important to identify the factors that affect the accuracy of Landsat classifications. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of scene characteristics involving crop, soil, and weather variables on the accuracy of Landsat classifications of corn and soybeans. Segments sampling the U.S. Corn Belt were classified using a Gaussian maximum likelihood classifier on multitemporally registered data from two key acquisition periods. Field size had a strong effect on classification accuracy with small fields tending to have low accuracies even when the effect of mixed pixels was eliminated. Other scene characteristics accounting for variability in classification accuracy included proportions of corn and soybeans, crop diversity index, proportion of all field crops, soil drainage, slope, soil order, long-term average soybean yield, maximum yield, relative position of the segment in the Corn Belt, weather, and crop development stage.

Batista, G. T.↗

Operational considerations for aerodynamic testing of large-scale wing sections in a simulated natural rain environment

One of the necessary areas of consideration for outdoor heavy rain testing is the effect of wind on both the simulated rain field and the quality and repeatability of the aerodynamic data. This paper discusses the data acquisition and subsequent reduction to nondimensional coefficients of lift and drag, with the appropriate correction for wind and rain field. Sample force data showing these effects are presented, along with estimates for accuracy and repeatability. The capability to produce high-quality data for rain drop size distribution using photographic and computerized image processing techniques was developed. Sample photographs depicting rain drop size are shown.

Campbell, Bryan A.↗

Acceptance testing of the prototype electrometer for the SAMPIE flight experiment

The Solar Array Module Plasma Interaction Experiment (SAMPIE) has two key instruments at the heart of its data acquisition capability. One of these, the electrometer, is designed to measure both ion and electron current from most of the samples included in the experiment. The accuracy requirement, specified by the project's Principal Investigator, is for agreement within 10 percent with a calibrated laboratory instrument. Plasma chamber testing was performed to assess the capabilities of the prototype design. Agreement was determined to be within 2 percent for electron collection and within 3 percent for ion collection.

Hillard, G. Barry↗

An Efficient Implementation of Forward-Backward LMS Adaptive Line Enhancer

An efficient implementation of the forward-backward least mean square (FBLMS) adaptive line enhancer is presented. Without changing the characteristics of the FBLMS adaptive line enhancer, the proposed implementation technique reduces multiplications by 25 percent and additions by 12.5 percent in two successive time samples in comparison to that of the direct implementation in both prediction and weight control. It can be applied to acquisition and tracking in both stationary and nonstationary environments.

adaptive line enhancers signal acquisition trackin↗

Micro-XRF for In Situ Geological Exploration of Other Planets

In situ analysis of rock chemistry is a fundamental tool for exploration of planets. To meet this need, a high-spatial-resolution micro x-ray fluorescence (Micro-XRF) instrument was developed that is capable of determining the elemental composition of rocks (elements Na U) with 100 microns spatial resolution, thus providing insight to the composition of features as small as sand grains and individual laminae. The resulting excitation beam is of sufficient intensity that high signal-to-noise punctual spectra are acquired in seconds to a few minutes using an Amptek Silicon Drift Detector (SDD). The instrument features a tightly focused x-ray tube and HVPS developed by Moxtek that provides up to 200 micro-A at 10 to 50 keV, with a custom polycapillary optic developed by XOS Inc. and integrated into a breadboard Micro-XRF (see figure). The total mass of the complete breadboard instrument is 2.76 kg, including mounting hardware, mounting plate, camera, laser, etc. A flight version of this instrument would require less than 5W nominal power and 1.5 kg mass. The instrument includes an Amptek SDD that draws 2.5 W and has a resolution of 135 to 155 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV. It weighs 180 g, including the preamplifier, digital pulse processor, multichannel analyzer, detector and preamp power supplies, and packaging. Rock samples are positioned relative to the instrument by a three-axis arm whose position is controlled by closed-loop translators (mimicking the robotic arm of a rover). The distance from the source to the detector is calculated from the position of a focused laser beam on the sample as imaged by the camera. The instrument enables quick scans of major elements in only 1 second, and rapid acquisition (30 s) of data with excellent signal-to-noise and energy resolution for trace element analysis

Wade, Lawrence A.↗

A Discrete Component Low-Noise Preamplifier Readout for a Linear (1x16) SiC Photodiode Array

A compact, low-noise and inexpensive preamplifier circuit has been designed and fabricated to optimally readout a common cathode (1x16) channel 4H-SiC Schottky photodiode array for use in ultraviolet experiments. The readout uses an operational amplifier with 10 pF capacitor in the feedback loop in parallel with a low leakage switch for each of the channels. This circuit configuration allows for reiterative sample, integrate and reset. A sampling technique is given to remove Johnson noise, enabling a femtoampere level readout noise performance. Commercial-off-the-shelf acquisition electronics are used to digitize the preamplifier analogue signals. The data logging acquisition electronics has a different integration circuit, which allows the bandwidth and gain to be independently adjusted. Using this readout, photoresponse measurements across the array between spectral wavelengths 200 nm and 370 nm are made to establish the array pixels external quantum efficiency, current responsivity and noise equivalent power.

low-noise preamplifier↗

Preliminary Examination of the Interstellar Collector of Stardust

The findings of the Stardust spacecraft mission returned to earth in January 2006 are discussed. The spacecraft returned two unprecedented and independent extraterrestrial samples: the first sample of a comet and the first samples of contemporary interstellar dust. An important lesson from the cometary Preliminary Examination (PE) was that the Stardust cometary samples in aerogel presented a technical challenge. Captured particles often separate into multiple fragments, intimately mix with aerogel and are typically buried hundreds of microns to millimeters deep in the aerogel collectors. The interstellar dust samples are likely much more challenging since they are expected to be orders of magnitudes smaller in mass, and their fluence is two orders of magnitude smaller than that of the cometary particles. The goal of the Stardust Interstellar Preliminary Examination (ISPE) is to answer several broad questions, including: which features in the interstellar collector aerogel were generated by hypervelocity impact and how much morphological and trajectory information may be gained?; how well resolved are the trajectories of probable interstellar particles from those of interplanetary origin?; and, by comparison to impacts by known particle dimensions in laboratory experiments, what was the mass distribution of the impacting particles? To answer these questions, and others, non-destructive, sequential, non-invasive analyses of interstellar dust candidates extracted from the Stardust interstellar tray will be performed. The total duration of the ISPE will be three years and will differ from the Stardust cometary PE in that data acquisition for the initial characterization stage will be prolonged and will continue simultaneously and parallel with data publications and release of the first samples for further investigation.

Westphal, A. J.↗

High Speed Data Acquisition for Real Time Feedback in a Light Duty Engine Combustion-Mode Switching Application

The paper describes the integration of a high-speed data acquisition and diagnostics controller used in an advanced engine platform. The controller enables ultra-low emissions and new benchmarks of engine efficiency while running a Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) cycle on a 2.2L, 4-cylinder engine. The system enables real-time combustion feedback and vibration analysis in engines. The paper focuses on: (1) the development of an interpolative sampling algorithm for transposition of time acquired data to the crank angle domain using a production crank sensor (60-2 tooth wheel); (2) the control unit, high-speed data acquisition, communication rates between the dedicated data acquisition and base controller to ensure cycle-to-cycle feedback; and, (3) validation exercises using cylinder pressure measurements. Here, the study shows how the algorithm resolves cylinder pressure information over an engine cycle, validating its robustness across acquisition rates of 50 and 200 kHz, with crank angle resolutions of 0.5° and 0.1°. Results show that the 50 kHz, 0.5° hardware yield combustion phasing and torque estimates within 0.1° and 1% torque of those attained with the 200 kHz, 0.1° hardware. Finally, study shows the dedicated controller and communication speeds allow for next-cycle fuel injection correction for speeds above 5000 rpm.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Ecophysiological and genomic analyses of a representative isolate of highly abundant Bacillus cereus strains in contaminated subsurface sediments

Abstract Bacillus cereus strain CPT56D‐587‐MTF (CPTF) was isolated from the highly contaminated Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) subsurface. This site is contaminated with high levels of nitric acid and multiple heavy metals. Amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes (V4 region) in sediment from this area revealed an amplicon sequence variant (ASV) with 100% identity to the CPTF 16S rRNA sequence. Notably, this CPTF‐matching ASV had the highest relative abundance in this community survey, with a median relative abundance of 3.77% and comprised 20%–40% of reads in some samples. Pangenomic analysis revealed that strain CPTF has expanded genomic content compared to other B. cereus species—largely due to plasmid acquisition and expansion of transposable elements. This suggests that these features are important for rapid adaptation to native environmental stressors. We connected genotype to phenotype in the context of the unique geochemistry of the site. These analyses revealed that certain genes (e.g. nitrate reductase, heavy metal efflux pumps) that allow this strain to successfully occupy the geochemically heterogenous microniches of its native site are characteristic of the B. cereus species while others such as acid tolerance are mobile genetic element associated and are generally unique to strain CPTF.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The flying hot wire and related instrumentation

A flying hot-wire technique is proposed for studies of separated turbulent flow in wind tunnels. The technique avoids the problem of signal rectification in regions of high turbulence level by moving the probe rapidly through the flow on the end of a rotating arm. New problems which arise include control of effects of torque variation on rotor speed, avoidance of interference from the wake of the moving arms, and synchronization of data acquisition with rotation. Solutions for these problems are described. The self-calibrating feature of the technique is illustrated by a sample X-array calibration.

Coles, D.↗

AgRISTARS: Interim catalog ground data summary, data acquisition year 1979

To honor numerous requests for information about data holdings, and to facilitate the requirements specifications process, a series of interim catalogs are being developed. The 1979 data acquisition year is covered in this volume with subsequent years to follow under different covers. This catalog lists by state those sample segment numbers for which aircraft data has been acquired and/or field inventory products produced.

Doyle, H. M.↗

AgRISTARS: Foreign commodity production forecasting. Minutes of the annual formal project manager's review, including preliminary technical review reports of FY80 experiments

The U.S./Canada wheat/barley exploratory experiment is discussed with emphasis on labeling, machine processing using P1A, and the crop calendar. Classification and the simulated aggregation test used in the U.S. corn/soybean exploratory experiment are also considered. Topics covered regarding the foreign commodity production forecasting project include: (1) the acquisition, handling, and processing of both U.S. and foreign agricultural data, as well as meteorological data. The accuracy assessment methodology, multicrop sampling and aggregation technology development, frame development, the yield project interface, and classification for area estimation are also examined.

Source record↗

Mark 4A project training evaluation

A participant evaluation of a Deep Space Network (DSN) is described. The Mark IVA project is an implementation to upgrade the tracking and data acquisition systems of the dSN. Approximately six hundred DSN operations and engineering maintenance personnel were surveyed. The survey obtained a convenience sample including trained people within the population in order to learn what training had taken place and to what effect. The survey questionnaire used modifications of standard rating scales to evaluate over one hundred items in four training dimensions. The scope of the evaluation included Mark IVA vendor training, a systems familiarization training seminar, engineering training classes, a on-the-job training. Measures of central tendency were made from participant rating responses. Chi square tests of statistical significance were performed on the data. The evaluation results indicated that the effects of different Mark INA training methods could be measured according to certain ratings of technical training effectiveness, and that the Mark IVA technical training has exhibited positive effects on the abilities of DSN personnel to operate and maintain new Mark IVA equipment systems.

Stephenson, S. N.↗

An advanced microcomputer design for processing of semiconductor materials

In the Get Away Special 330 payload two germanium samples doped with gallium will be processed. The aim of the experiments is to create a planar solid/liquid interface, and to study the breakdown of this interface as the crystal growth rate increases. For the experiments a gradient furnace was designed which is heated by resistive heaters. Cooling is provided by circulating gas from the atmosphere in the cannister through cooling channels in the furnace. The temperature along the sample are measured by platinum/rhodium thermocouples. The furnace is controlled by a microcomputer system, based upon the processor 80C88. A data acquisition system is integrated into the system. In order to synchronize the different actions in time, a multitask manager is used.

Bjoern, L.↗

Evaluating the Durability of Balance of Systems Components Using C-AST

The testing of branch- and cable-connectors, and fuses in C-AST is introduced. A significant effect was observed when mechanical actuation was introduced to the benchtop prototype testing. Therefore, this presentation emphasizes the mechanical test fixture, data acquisition system, failure analysis of the components used in specimen assemblies, and the validation of the results relative to field failed samples.

components↗

NXREFINE

NXRefine implements a complete workflow for both data acquisition and reduction of single crystal diffuse x-ray scattering collected as a series of area detector frames during continuous sample rotation. The data are stored in HDF5 files, which conform to the NeXus data format standard. These files contain a comprehensive set of metadata, including the incident wavelength, powder calibration scans used to define detector distances, beam centers, and yaw, pitch, and roll corrections. Automated peak searches of the three-dimensional data arrays define a set of Bragg peaks that are used to define an orientation matrix, defined according to Busing and Levy, which is then used to transform the data from angular coordinates to reciprocal space coordinates using the CCTW program. Multiple rotations at different detector translations and offset rotation axes are combined to ensure that there are no gaps in the reconstructed data, and allow the construction of masks to eliminate detector artifacts due to Compton scattering within the sensor layers. Finally, the data can be transformed into 3D-ΔPDF maps using the punch-and-fill method after symmetrization.

OSBORN, RAYMOND↗