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At least 847 records · Page 47

Distinct Pattern of Oculomotor Impairment Associated with Acute Sleep Loss and Circadian Misalignment

Sleep loss and circadianmisalignment have long been known to impair human cognitive and motor performance with significant societal and health consequences. It is well known that human reaction time to a visual cue is impaired following sleep loss and circadian misalignment, but it has remained unclear how more complex visuomotor control behaviour is altered under these conditions. In this study, we measured 14 parameters of the voluntary ocular tracking response of 12 human participants (six females) to systematically examine the effects of sleep loss and circadianmisalignment using a constant routine 24 h acute sleep-deprivation paradigm. The combination of state-of-the-art oculometric and sleep-research methodologies allowed us to document, for the first time, large changes in many components of pursuit, saccades and visual motion processing as a function of time awake and circadian phase. Further, we observed a pattern of impairment across our set of oculometric measures that is qualitatively different from that observed previously with other mild neural impairments. We conclude that dynamic vision and visuomotor control exhibit a distinct pattern of impairment linked with time awake and circadian phase. Therefore, a sufficiently broad set of oculometric measures could provide a sensitive and specific behavioural biomarker of acute sleep loss and circadian misalignment. We foresee potential applications of such oculometric biomarkers assisting in the assessment of readiness-to-perform higher risk tasks and in the characterization of sub-clinical neural impairment in the face of a multiplicity of potential risk factors, including disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms.

Stone, Leland S.↗

Efficient method for estimating the time evolution of the proto-neutron star mass and radius from a supernova neutrino signal

In this paper, we present a novel method to estimate the time evolution of the proto-neutron star (PNS) structure from the neutrino signal in a core-collapse supernova (CCSN). Employing recent results from multidimensional CCSN simulations, we delve into a relation between the total emitted neutrino energy (TONE) and PNS mass/radius, and we find that they are strongly correlated with each other. We fit the relation by simple polynomial functions connecting the TONE to the mass and radius of the PNS as a function of time. By combining another fitting function representing the correlation between the TONE and the cumulative number of events at each neutrino observatory, the PNS mass and radius can be retrieved from purely observed neutrino data. We demonstrate retrievals of PNS mass and radius from mock data of the neutrino signal, and we assess the capability of our proposed method. While underlining the limitations of the method, we also discuss the importance of the joint analysis with the gravitational wave signal. This would reduce uncertainties of parameter estimations in our method, and may narrow down the possible neutrino oscillation model. The proposed method is a very easy and inexpensive computation, which will be useful in real data analysis of the CCSN neutrino signal.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Opportunities and limits of Decay storage based on Dismantled Materials in Nuclear Power Plants - 17650

We investigate the potential of decay storage of low and intermediate radioactive waste for release procedures. We present the Safetec software tool HL3 and its application to data from the German nuclear power plant at the site in Stade. In general, during the dismantling process of nuclear power plants, waste of slightly contaminated and/or activated systems is produced in large amounts. These are in particular demolition rubble from concrete structures and ingots from the melting process of metals. If, at the time of disposal, the nuclear inventory is near or slightly above federal clearance limits, the material cannot be released as conventional waste. However, due to the decline of the nuclear inventory over time, a significant amount of that waste could qualify for the release procedure in the future. Although this concept of decay storage is well known, specific predictions of the mass flow to be released is non-trivial. The mass flow over time depends on the composition of known and assumed nuclides (nuclide vector), as well as on the underlying threshold values for release. To handle the waste stream as a function of time, the nuclide composition and specific threshold values, Safetec developed a bespoke software tool named HL3. Its primary function is to visualize and to test/analyze various nuclide vectors and its decompositions over time. For the application within German law, threshold values according to the different disposal routes can be considered. Using the batch interface in the software tool HL3, large amounts of data can be automatically analyzed in a traceable and quick way. To test both, the tool and the benefit for the concept of decay storage, we have applied our code HL3 to material from the dismantling of the pressurized-water reactor at the site in Stade, Germany. We set the focus on concrete debris and metal ingots, which in principle are best suited for decay storage over years. The assignment and the packaging of that waste from Stade were based on application documents for decommissioning of the Year 2000 and according to the state of art conditioning technique at that time. Based on the data of that waste and the appropriate disposal routes, we calculate and discuss the amount of waste releasable after decay storage. As for the situation in Germany, we find that only a negligible amount would be releasable, mainly due to other reasons. These are the deterioration of detectability of radionuclides with time, and other regulatory conditions. However, on an international scale, a different assessment can be drawn. Our results thus motivate to reconsider the option of interim decay storage to reduce radioactive waste in large amounts. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Stochastic Real-Time Second-Order Green’s Function Theory for Neutral Excitations in Molecules and Nanostructures

We present a real-time second-order Green’s function (GF) method for computing excited states in molecules and nanostructures, with a computational scaling of O(N e 3 ), where N e is the number of electrons. The cubic scaling is achieved by adopting the stochastic resolution of the identity to decouple the 4-index electron repulsion integrals. To improve the time propagation and the spectral resolution, we adopt the dynamic mode decomposition technique and assess the accuracy and efficiency of the combined approach for a chain of hydrogen dimer molecules of different lengths. We find that the stochastic implementation accurately reproduces the deterministic results for the electronic dynamics and excitation energies. Furthermore, we provide a detailed analysis of the statistical errors, bias, and long-time extrapolation. Overall, the approach offers an efficient route to investigate excited states in extended systems with open or closed boundary conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Optical Imaging of Flow Pattern and Phantom

Time-resolved optical imaging technique has been used to image the spatial distribution of small droplets and jet sprays in a highly scattering environment. The snake and ballistic components of the transmitted pulse are less scattered, and contain direct information about the sample to facilitate image formation as opposed to the diffusive components which are due to multiple collisions as a light pulse propagates through a scattering medium. In a time-gated imaging scheme, these early-arriving, image-bearing components of the incident pulse are selected by opening a gate for an ultrashort period of time and a shadowgram image is detected. Using a single shot cooled CCD camera system, the formation of water droplets is monitored as a function of time. Picosecond time-gated image of drop in scattering cells, spray droplets as a function of let speed and gas pressure, and model calcification samples consisted of calcium carbonate particles of irregular shapes ranging in size from 0. 1 to 1.5 mm affixed to a microscope slide have been measured. Formation produced by an impinging jet will be further monitored using a CCD with 1 kHz framing illuminated with pulsed light. The desired image resolution of the fuel droplets is on the 20 pm scale using early light through a highly scattering medium. A 10(exp -6)m displacement from a jet spray with a flow speed of 100 m/sec introduced by the ns grating pulse used in the imaging is negligible. Early ballistic/snake light imaging offers nondestructive and noninvasive method to observe the spatial distribution of hidden objects inside a highly scattering environment for space, biomedical, and materials applications. In this paper, the techniques we will present are time-resolved K-F transillumination imaging and time-gated scattered light imaging. With a large dynamic range and high resolution, time-gated early light imaging has the potential for improving rocket/aircraft design by determining jets shape and particle sizes. Refinements to these techniques may enable drop size measurements in the highly scattering, optically dense region of multi-element rocket injectors. These types of measurements should greatly enhance the design of stable, and higher performing rocket engines.

Galland, Pierre A.↗

On the Lagrangian Method for Steady and Unsteady Flow

A new and general Lagrangian formulation of fluid motion is given in which the independent variables are three material functions and a Lagrangian time, which differs for different fluid particles and is distinct from the Eulerian time. For steady flow it requires only three independent variables - the Lagrangian time and two stream functions - in contrast with the conventional Lagrangian formulation which apparently still requires four independent variables for describing a steady flow. This places the Lagrangian formulation for steady flow on the same footing as the Eulerian. For unsteady flow, the new formulation includes the conventional formulation as a special case when the Lagrangian time is identified with the Eulerian time and when the material functions are taken to be the fluid particle's position at some given time. The distinction between the Lagrangian and Eulerian time, however, is found useful in applications, e.g., to problems involving a free boundary.

Hui, W. H.↗

Experimental investigation and model development of the Skylab ATM secondary nickel-cadmium batteries

The performance of a Ni-Cd battery was evaluated and the cyclic battery controls to be used on the ATM batteries were determined. Cell and battery performance models were developed which to predict the performance of the secondary Ni-Cd batteries on the ATM. Capacity degradation and charge acceptance characteristics were considered. Mathematical models for each of these operating areas were developed based on data from two separate test programs. The capacity degradation model describes the expected usable battery capacity as a function of time, temperature, and depth-of-discharge. The charge acceptance model describes the cell charge acceptance as a function of charge rate, temperature, and state of charge. The models were designed for computer use and to facilitate possible battery modification. They can be used to predict expected performance or to compare real time performance during flight.

Kirsch, W. W.↗

Time-varying Weights in Multi-Objective Optimal Control for Flexible Wing Aircraft

A multi-objective optimal control technique is modified to accommodate changing cost function weights and is used to control a flexible wing aircraft model. Variation of the weights is used to adjust the relative importance of each objective according to either a prescribed function of time or of the state. Several techniques for obtaining a practical approximation to the optimal control solution are presented, and stability of a specific weight structure with the optimal controller is demonstrated. Functionality of the multi-objective control design with weight variation is demonstrated in simulation of a flexible wing transport aircraft and is shown to improve performance over the fixed weight version both at a constant flight condition and across changing flight conditions.

Hashemi, Kelley E.↗

Accelerating quantum optics experiments with statistical learning

Quantum optics experiments, involving the measurement of low-probability photon events, are known to be extremely time-consuming. We present a methodology for accelerating such experiments using physically motivated ansatzes together with simple statistical learning techniques such as Bayesian maximum a posteriori estimation based on few-shot data. We show that it is possible to reconstruct time-dependent data using a small number of detected photons, allowing for fast estimates in under a minute and providing a one-to-two order of magnitude speed-up in data acquisition time. We test our approach using real experimental data to retrieve the second order intensity correlation function, G (2) ($τ$), as a function of time delay τ between detector counts, for thermal light as well as anti-bunched light emitted by a quantum dot driven by periodic laser pulses. The proposed methodology has a wide range of applicability and has the potential to impact the scientific discovery process across a multitude of domains.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Utah FORGE CoreFlooding Experimental Results

This submission contains associated data from 100C and 200C core-flooding experiments conducted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The samples used were sourced from 16A(78)-32 well core. The primary objectives of these tests were to determine the change in calculated hydraulic fracture and permeability over time, under constant confining pressure, in predominantly constant flowrate conditions, while monitoring effluent chemistry as a function of time.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Method for determining thermo-physical properties of specimens

The square root of the product of thermophysical properties q, c and k, where p is density, c is specific heat and k is thermal conductivity, is determined directly on a test specimen such as a wind tunnel model. The test specimen and a reference specimen of known specific heat are positioned at a given distance from a heat source. The specimens are provided with a coating, such as a phase change coating, to visually indicate that a given temperature was reached. A shutter interposed between the heat source and the specimens is opened and a motion picture camera is actuated to provide a time record of the heating step. The temperature of the reference specimen is recorded as a function of time. The heat rate to which both the test and reference specimens were subjected is determined from the temperature time response of the reference specimen by the conventional thin-skin calorimeter equation.

Jones, R. A.↗

Cracking of a layered medium on an elastic foundation under thermal shock

The cladded pressure vessel under thermal shock conditions which is simulated by using two simpler models was studied. The first model (Model 1) assumes that, if the crack size is very small compared to the vessel thickness, the problem can be treated as a semi-infinite elastic medium bonded to a very thin layer of different material. However, if the crack size is of the same order as the vessel thickness, the curvature effects may not be negligible. In this case it is assumed that the relatively thin walled hollow cylinder with cladding can be treated as a composite beam on an elastic foundation (Model 2). In both models, the effect of surface cooling rate is studied by assuming the temperature boundary condition to be a ramp function. The calculated results include the transient temperature, thermal stresses in the uncracked medium and stress intensity factors which are presented as a function of time, and the duration of cooling ramp. The stress intensity factors are also presented as a function of the size and the location of the crack. The problem is solved for two bonded materials of different thermal and mechanical properties. The mathematical formulation results in two singular integral equations which are solved numerically. The results are given for two material pairs, namely an austenitic steel layer welded on a ferritic steel substrate, and a ceramic coating on ferritic steel. In the case of the yielded clad, the stress intensity factors for a crack under the clad are determined by using a plastic strip model and are compared with elastic clad results.

Rizk, Abd El-Fattah A.↗

Radiation-induced genomic instability

Quantitative assessment of the heritable somatic effects of ionizing radiation exposures has relied upon the assumption that radiation-induced lesions were 'fixed' in the DNA prior to the first postirradiation mitosis. Lesion conversion was thought to occur during the initial round of DNA replication or as a consequence of error-prone enzymatic processing of lesions. The standard experimental protocols for the assessment of a variety of radiation-induced endpoints (cell death, specific locus mutations, neoplastic transformation and chromosome aberrations) evaluate these various endpoints at a single snapshot in time. In contrast with the aforementioned approaches, some studies have specifically assessed radiation effects as a function of time following exposure. Evidence has accumulated in support of the hypothesis that radiation exposure induces a persistent destabilization of the genome. This instability has been observed as a delayed expression of lethal mutations, as an enhanced rate of accumulation of non-lethal heritable alterations, and as a progressive intraclonal chromosomal heterogeneity. The genetic controls and biochemical mechanisms underlying radiation-induced genomic instability have not yet been delineated. The aim is to integrate the accumulated evidence that suggests that radiation exposure has a persistent effect on the stability of the mammalian genome.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗

Simultaneous Multi-Filter Optical Photometry of GEO Debris

Information on the physical characteristics of unresolved pieces of debris comes from an object's brightness, and how it changes with time and wavelength. True colors of tumbling, irregularly shaped objects can be accurately determined only if the intensity at all wavelengths is measured at the same time. In this paper we report on simultaneous photometric observations of objects at geosynchronous orbit (GEO) using two telescopes at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO). The CTIO/SMARTS 0.9-m observes in a Johnson B filter, while the 0.6-m MODEST (Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope) observes in a Cousins R filter. The two CCD cameras are electronically synchronized so that the exposure start time and duration are the same for both telescopes. Thus we obtain the brightness as a function of time in two passbands simultaneously, and can determine the true color of the object at any time. We will report here on such calibrated measurements made on a sample of GEO objects and what is the distribution of the observed B-R colors. In addition, using this data set, we will show what colors would be observed if the observations in different filters were obtained sequentially, as would be the case for conventional imaging observations with a single detector on a single telescope. Finally, we will compare our calibrated colors of GEO debris with colors determined in the laboratory of selected materials actually used in spacecraft construction.

Seitzer, Patrick↗

Simultaneous Multi-Filter Optical Photometry of GEO Debris

Information on the physical characteristics of unresolved pieces of debris comes from an object's brightness, and how it changes with time and wavelength. True colors of tumbling, irregularly shaped objects can be accurately determined only if the intensity at all wavelengths is measured at the same time. In this paper we report on simultaneous photometric observations of objects at geosynchronous orbit (GEO) using two telescopes at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO). The CTIO/SMARTS 0.9-m observes in a Johnson B filter, while the 0.6-m MODEST (Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope) observes in a Cousins R filter. The two CCD cameras are electronically synchronized so that the exposure start time and duration are the same for both telescopes. Thus we obtain the brightness as a function of time in two passbands simultaneously, and can determine the true color of the object at any time. We will report here on such calibrated measurements made on a sample of GEO objects and what is the distribution of the observed B-R colors. In addition, using this data set, we will show what colors would be observed if the observations in different filters were obtained sequentially, as would be the case for conventional imaging observations with a single detector on a single telescope. Finally, we will compare our calibrated colors of GEO debris with colors determined in the laboratory of selected materials actually used in spacecraft construction.

Seitzer, Patrick↗

INVESTIGATING THE FEASIBILITY AND STABILITY FOR MODELING ACOUSTIC WAVE SCATTERING USING A TIME-DOMAIN BOUNDARY INTEGRAL EQUATION WITH IMPEDANCE BOUNDARY CONDITION

Reducing aircraft noise is a major objective in the field of computational aeroacoustics. When designing next generation quiet and environmentally friendly aircraft, it is important to be able to accurately and efficiently predict the acoustic scattering by an aircraft body from a given noise source. Acoustic liners are an effective tool for aircraft noise reduction and are characterized by a frequency-dependent impedance. Converted into the time-domain using Fourier transforms, an impedance boundary condition can be used to simulate the acoustic wave scattering by geometric bodies treated with acoustic liners. This work considers using either an impedance or an admittance (inverse of impedance) boundary condition to allow for acoustic scattering problems to be modeled with geometries consisting of both un-lined and lined surfaces. Three acoustic liner models are discussed: the Extended Helmholtz Resonator Model, the Three-Parameter Impedance Model, and the Broadband Impedance Model. In both the Helmholtz and Three-Parameter models, liner impedance is specified at a given frequency, whereas the Broadband model allows for the investigation of multiple frequencies simultaneously. The impedance and admittance boundary conditions for acoustic liners are derived for each model and coupled with a time-domain boundary integral equation. The scattering solution is obtained iteratively using a boundary element method with constant spatial and third-order temporal basis functions. Time-domain boundary integral equations are unfortunately prone to numerical instabilities due to resonant frequencies resulting from non-trivial solutions in the interior domain. When reformulated with the Burton-Miller method, the instabilities are eliminated. Using a Burton-Miller reformulation, the stability of the boundary element method assuming a liner boundary condition is assessed using eigenvalue analysis. The stability of each liner model is discussed, and it is shown that the Three-Parameter and Broadband models are sufficient for modeling an acoustic liner on the surface of scattering bodies. The Helmholtz model demonstrates strict limitations for stability, whereas the Three-Parameter and Broadband models are stable for most cases. Also included in this work is an assessment of the spatial accuracy of the time-domain boundary element method with respect to the surface element basis functions, as well as a performance study of the numerical algorithm.

computational mathematics↗