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At least 829 records · Page 46

The embedded operating system project

The design and construction of embedded operating systems for real-time advanced aerospace applications was investigated. The applications require reliable operating system support that must accommodate computer networks. Problems that arise in the construction of such operating systems, reconfiguration, consistency and recovery in a distributed system, and the issues of real-time processing are reported. A thesis that provides theoretical foundations for the use of atomic actions to support fault tolerance and data consistency in real-time object-based system is included. The following items are addressed: (1) atomic actions and fault-tolerance issues; (2) operating system structure; (3) program development; (4) a reliable compiler for path Pascal; and (5) mediators, a mechanism for scheduling distributed system processes.

Campbell, R. H.↗

A Real-Time Big Data Control-Theoretical Framework for Cyber-Physical-Human Systems [Book Chapter]

It is known that cyber-physical-human systems naturally arise from interdependent infrastructure systems and smart connected communities. Such applications require ubiquitous information sensing and processing, intelligent machine-to-machine communication for a seamless coordination, as well as intelligent interactions between humans and machines. This chapter presents a control-theoretical framework to model heterogeneous physical dynamic systems, information and communication, as well as cooperative controls and/or distributed optimization of such interconnected systems. It is shown that efficient analytical and computational algorithms can be modularly designed and hierarchically implemented to operate and optimize cyber-physical-human systems, first to quantify individually the input–output relationship of nonlinear dynamic behaviors of every physical subsystem, then to coordinate locally both cyber-physical interactions of neighboring agents as well as physical-human interactions, and finally to dynamically model and optimize the overall networked system. The hierarchical structure makes the overall optimization and control problem scalable and solvable. Moreover, the three levels integrate individual designs and optimization, distributed cooperative optimization, and decision-making through real-time, data-driven, model-based learning and control. Specifically, one of the contributions of the chapter is to demonstrate how the combination of dissipativity theory and cooperative control serves as a natural framework and promising tools to analyze, optimize, and control such large-scale system. Application to digital grid is investigated as an illustrative example.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

UV spectroscopy of Titan's atmosphere, planetary organic chemistry and prebiological synthesis. II - Interpretation of new IUE observations in the 220-335 nm range

The theoretical model developed by McKay et al. (1989) to characterize the size distribution, thermal structure, and chemical composition of the stratospheric haze of Titan is applied to new 220-335-nm albedo measurements obtained with the long-wavelength prime camera of the IUE during August 1987. Data and model predictions are presented in extensive graphs and discussed in detail. It is shown that a simple model with particles of one size at a given altitude does not accurately reproduce the observed features in all spectral regions, but that good general agreement is obtained using a model with a uniformly mixed layer at 150-600 km and a bimodal distribution of small 'polymer' haze particles (radius less than 20 nm) and larger haze particles (radius 100-500 nm). The number densities implied by this model require, however, a mechanism such as electrostatic charging or reaction kinetics to inhibit coagulation of the smaller particles.

Courtin, Regis↗

Structures of Vanadium-Containing Silicate and Borosilicate Glasses: Vanadium Potential Development and MD Simulations

Vanadium-containing multi-component glasses have been found with widely interests in various applications. However, the complex compositions, thus structures, lead to the challenges in experiments to understand the structural origin of the property change of these glasses. In this work, we developed compatible vanadium-related parameters for a widely used pair wise potential set to enable the simulations of the vanadium-containing multi-component glasses. Various crystal structures and glass compositions (with vanadium in different oxidation states) have been tested using the newly developed parameters, and structural information of cell parameters, pair distribution function, estimated bond distance, and coordination number have been obtained. The results are in good agreement with available experimental data, which indicates the new vanadium parameters can be used to simulate the vanadium-containing multi-component glasses and thus help study those applications with wide interests.

Deng, Lu↗

The local structure of 0.5Ba(Zr 0.2 Ti 0.8 )O 3 -0.5(Ba 0.7 Ca 0.3 )TiO 3 from neutron total scattering measurements and multi-edge X-ray absorption analysis

Neutron total scattering measurements and multi-edge X-ray absorption analysis were performed on a 0.5Ba(Zr 0.2 Ti 0.8 )O 3 -0.5(Ba 0.7 Ca 0.3 )TiO 3 powder sample. The TiIII-II edges showed that titanium is distorted in the rhombohedral [111] direction (in a BaTiO 3 -like chemical and bonding environment). Extended X-ray fine structure analysis (EXAFS) was performed on the zirconium K-edge and it was found that zirconium resides in the center of the ZrO 6 octahedra in cubic symmetry. Furthermore, the local structure was initially modelled with the orthorhombic Amm2 space group with unsatisfactory results. To better model the local structure, the results from the EXAFS analysis were incorporated into the small-box pair distribution function (PDF) refinements and the best fit of the observed data was a combination of barium calcium titanate (BCT) and barium calcium zirconate (BCZ) phases.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A differentiable approach to the maximum independent set problem using dataless neural networks

The success of machine learning solutions for reasoning about discrete structures has brought attention to its adoption within combinatorial optimization algorithms. Such approaches generally rely on supervised learning by leveraging datasets of the combinatorial structures of interest drawn from some distribution of problem instances. Reinforcement learning has also been employed to find such structures. Here, in this paper, we propose a different approach in that no data is required for training the neural networks that produce the solution. In this sense, what we present is not a machine learning solution, but rather one that is dependent on neural networks and where backpropagation is applied to a loss function defined by the structure of the neural network architecture as opposed to a training dataset. In particular, we reduce the popular combinatorial optimization problem of finding a maximum independent set to a neural network and employ a dataless training scheme to refine the parameters of the network such that those parameters yield the structure of interest. Additionally, we propose a universal graph reduction procedure to handle large-scale graphs. The reduction exploits community detection for graph partitioning and is applicable to any graph type and/or density. Experimental results on both real and synthetic graphs demonstrate that our proposed method performs on par or outperforms state-of-the-art learning-based methods in terms of the size of the found set without requiring any training data.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Isotope effects in molecular structures and electronic properties of liquid water via deep potential molecular dynamics based on the SCAN functional

Here, Feynman path-integral deep potential molecular dynamics (PI-DPMD) calculations have been employed to study both light (H 2 O) and heavy water (D 2 O) within the isothermalisobaric ensemble. In particular, the deep neural network is trained based on ab initio data obtained from the strongly constrained and appropriately normed (SCAN) exchange-correlation functional. Because of the lighter mass of hydrogen than deuteron, the properties of light water are more influenced by nuclear quantum effect than those of heavy water. Clear isotope effects are observed and analyzed in terms of hydrogen-bond structure and electronic properties of water that are closely associated with experimental observables. The molecular structures of both liquid H 2 O and D 2 O agree well with the data extracted from scattering experiments. The delicate isotope effects on radial distribution functions and angular distribution functions are well reproduced as well. Our approach demonstrates that deep neural network combined with SCAN functional based ab initio molecular dynamics provides an accurate theoretical tool for modeling water and its isotope effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Oblique propagation and temperature effects on the resonant right-hand ion beam instability

The resonant right-hand instability (RHI) is often the dominant mode driven by reflected ions upstream of Earth’s quasi-parallel bow shock. In the tradition of Peter Gary, this paper further explores the right-hand instability using numerical solutions of the plasma dispersion relation and non-linear kinetic simulations, with parameters inspired by observations from NASA’s Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Agreement is found between the ion distributions in the particle-in-cell simulations and Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft data, which show the gyrophase bunching characteristic of the instability. The non-linear structures created by right-hand instability tend to be stronger when the plasma beta is lower. These structures have sizes of around 100 to 200 ion inertial lengths perpendicular to the magnetic field, presenting planet-sized disturbances to the magnetosphere. 2d and 3D hybrid particle-in-cell simulations show that modes with a range of propagation angles oblique to the magnetic field are excited, providing a ground to understand previous statistical studies of observed foreshock waves.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Acoustic-gravity waves in the thermosphere of Venus

The paper studies the properties of acoustic-gravity waves in the upper atmosphere of Venus by means of a two fluid model which includes the effects of wave-induced diffusion in a diffusively separated atmosphere. It is maintained that in conjunction with neutral mass spectrometer data from the Pioneer Venus orbiter, the theory should provide information on the distribution of wave sources in the Venus upper atmosphere. In addition observed wave structure in species density measurements should generally have periods less than or equal to 30-35 min, small N2, CO, and O amplitudes, and highly variable phase shifts relative to CO2. Finally, it is noted that large-density oscillations in stratospheric cloud layer constituents are also possible and may be detectable by the Pioneer Venus large probe neutral mass spectrometer.

Del Genio, A. D.↗

Radar and infrared remote sensing of geothermal features at Pilgrim Springs, Alaska

High-altitude radar and thermal imagery collected by the NASA research aircraft WB57F were used to examine the structural setting and distribution of radiant temperatures of geothermal anomalies in the Pilgrim Springs, Alaska area. Like-polarized radar imagery with perpendicular look directions provides the best structural data for lineament analysis, although more than half the mapped lineaments are easily detectable on conventional aerial photography. Radiometer data and imagery from a thermal scanner were used to evaluate radiant surface temperatures, which ranged from 3 to 17 C. The evening imagery, which utilized density-slicing techniques, detected thermal anomalies associated with geothermal heat sources. The study indicates that high-altitude predawn thermal imagery may be able to locate relatively large areas of hot ground in site-specific studies in the vegetated Alaskan terrain. This imagery will probably not detect gentle lateral gradients.

Dean, K. G.↗

IUGG quadrennial report overviews - Planetary Science 1979-1982

The Pioneer Venus mission and the Voyager mission to Jupiter and Saturn are reviewed. Also discussed briefly are telescopic observations of the Uranian satellites, Triton, Pluto, and the asteroids, as well as studies with earth-bound radar. Pioneer Venus provided data on the particles and field environment, the surface, and the upper atmosphere. Voyager at Jupiter produced information on the Jovian atmosphere, Io, and the Galilean satellites, while Voyager at Saturn provided data on the planet's upper atmospheric thermal structure and composition, and its satellites. In addition, Voyager radio occultation data on Saturn's rings demonstrated that ring particles have an approximate power law size distribution from 1 cm to a maximum of 1-5 m.

Squyres, S. W.↗

Precambrian organic geochemistry - Preservation of the record

A review of earlier studies is presented, and new results in Precambrian organic geochemistry are discussed. It is pointed out that two lines of evidence can be developed. One is based on structural organic chemistry, while the other is based on isotopic analyses. In the present investigation, the results of both structural and isotopic investigations of Precambrian organic matter are discussed. Processes and products related to organic geochemistry are examined, taking into account the carbon cycle, an approximate view of the principal pathways of carbon cycling associated with organic matter in the present global ecosystem, processes affecting sedimentary organic matter, and distribution and types of organic matter. Attention is given to chemical fossils in Precambrian sediments, kerogen analyses, the determination of the structural characteristics of kerogen, and data concerning the preservation of the Precambrian organic geochemical record.

Hayes, J. M.↗

Ozone, jet streaks, and severe weather

Data obtained with the total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) onboard the Nimbus-7 satellite are presented. An attempt is made to relate and synthesize TOMS data with conventional radiosonde analyses and with midtropospheric moisture data available from the VISSR onboard the GOES. Case studies are described which relate the potential vorticity structure of the upper troposphere to the total ozone distribution as measured by TOMS. Cyclogenesis, frontogenesis, and the formation of severe weather outbreaks are then related to jet streaks and their characteristic ozone signature. It is shown that the primary maxima of ozone and potential vorticity are associated with cold advection and subsidence in the main upper-air trough as suggested earlier. The secondary maxima of the three quantities diagnosed in the present work appear in the left front quadrant of a jet streak, revealing the importance of transverse, secondary motions induced by a jet streak above the level of maximum winds in further modifying the potential vorticity and ozone structures.

Sechrist, F. S.↗

CFD validation experiments for internal flows

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) validation experiments at NASA Lewis Research Center are described. The material presented summarizes the research in three areas: Inlets, Ducts and Nozzles; Turbomachinery; and Chemically Reacting Flows. The specific validation activities are concerned with shock-boundary layer interactions, vortex generator effects, large low speed centrifugal compressor measurements, transonic fan shock structure, rotor/stator kinetic energy distributions, stator wake shedding characteristics, boundary layer transition, multiphase flow and reacting shear layers. These experiments are intended to provide CFD validation data for the internal flow fields within aerospace propulsion system components.

Povinelli, Louis A.↗

CFD validation experiments for internal flows

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) validation experiments at NASA Lewis are described. The material presented summarized the research in 3 areas: Inlets, ducts and nozzles; Turbomachinery; and Chemically reacting flows. The specific validation activities are concerned with shock boundary layer interactions, vortex generator effects, large low speed centrifugal compressor measurements, transonic fan shock structure, rotor/stator kinetic energy distributions, stator wake shedding characteristics, boundary layer transition, multiphase flow and reacting shear layers. These experiments are intended to provide CFD validation data for the internal flow fields within aerospace propulsion system components.

Povinelli, Louis A.↗

Molecular processes in comets

Classical trajectory calculations of the cross sections for vibrational and rotational energy exchange in direct and reactive collisions of hydrogen atoms and hydrogen molecules have been carried out. To test the sensitivity, three potential energy surfaces have been used. For the exchange transitions which occur at small internuclear distances, the rate coefficients for the three surfaces agree quite well. For the direct transitions, there are significant differences for the pure rotational transitions from j=0 to 2 and from j=1 to j=3 in which there is no change in vibration. For higher j the differences tend to disappear, suggesting that the rotational angular momentum can couple to the orbital angular momentum to overcome the centrifugal barrier. Complete numerically exact quantum mechanical calculations for the process in which vJ changes have been performed. Dr. M. A'Hearn has provided data on the fluorescent population of the NH rotational and fine-structure levels from which we should be able to predict accurate photodissociation lifetimes. The distribution rate of C2 is being investigated. A review of H3(+) in terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments was prepared for a volume of Advances in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics.

Dalgarno, A.↗

Design and performance/measurement simulation studies for a ER-2 sunphotometer

Work and results, including developed software, obtained under this grant (NAG 2-620) have been reported in various progress reports, an M.S. Thesis, and software programs. The purpose of this final report is simply to provide a documented listing of what has already been reported. This includes the following: (1) Conceptual Design and Simulation of a Spectral Sunphotometer for the ER-2 Aircraft; (2) Continued Simulation and Design Studies for an ER-2 Sunphotometer; and (3) Simulation and Performance Studies of a Spectra Sunphotometer for the ER-2 Aircraft. Also, software and computational results for modeling airmass and diffuse light effects due to aerosols were provided in support of NASA ARC research on the effects of aerosols resulting from the Pinatubo volcanic eruptions. The references for these articles are as follows: (1) Post Pinatubo Optical Depth Spectra vs. Latitude and Vortex Structure; and (2) Pinatubo and Pre-Pinatubo Optical-Depth Spectra -- Mauna Loa Measurements, Comparisons, Inferred Particle Size Distributions, Radiative Effects, and Relationships to Lidar Data.

Reagan, J. A.↗

Multi-Epoch XMM Observations of NGC4258

The goal of this project is to better understand whether the well known, warped accretion disk around the supermassive black hole in NGC4258 is responsible for the observed X-ray absorbing column of gas. The active galactic nuclei (AGN) paradigm suggests that doughnut-like tori obscure black holes, not warped disks. Using radio interferometry, we have mapped the disk and its orientation. Through time monitoring radio observations we are following the rotation and variability in the disk structure. The disk crosses the line of sight to the black hole, if it is clumpy, then we will observe variations in the X-ray spectrum of NGC4258 on month to year time scales. We have reduced 14 epochs of very long base interferometry (VLBI) observations that we use to characterize the structure of the maser-laden accretion disk and its evolution. Five epochs of data remain to be reduced in the next year. We have received distributions of data for two of our four intended epochs of X-ray Multimirror Mission (XMM) observation. Because the first two epochs are relatively close in time, and because community understanding of how to calibrate XMM data has until recently been relatively immature, we are waiting until we receive the third epoch of data before we reduce the several datasets. Delivery of the third epoch should take place late this year. The last epoch of XMM observation will take place in mid-2002. In the next year, we will begin to combine constraints on disk clumpiness with estimates of X-ray variability observed by XMM.

Greenhill, Lincoln J.↗