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At least 883 records · Page 49

Dark energy survey year 3 results: miscentring calibration and X-ray-richness scaling relations in redMaPPer clusters

ABSTRACT We use Dark Energy Survey Year 3 (DES Y3) clusters with archival XMM–Newton and Chandra X-ray data to assess the centring performance of the redMaPPer cluster finder and to measure key richness observable scaling relations. We find that 10–20 per cent of redMaPPer clusters are miscentred, both when comparing to the X-ray peak position and to the visually identified central cluster galaxy. We find no significant difference in miscentring in bins of low versus high richness or redshift. The dominant reasons for miscentring include masked or missing data and the presence of other bright galaxies in the cluster. For half of the miscentred clusters, the correct central was one of the possible centrals identified by redMaPPer, while for ∼40 per cent of miscentred clusters, the correct central is not a redMaPPer member mostly due to masking. Additionally, we fit scaling relations of X-ray temperature and luminosity with richness. We find a TX–λ scatter of $0.21\pm 0.01$. While the scatter in TX–λ is consistent in redshift bins, we find modestly different slopes, with high-redshift clusters displaying a somewhat shallower relation. Splitting based on richness, we find a marginally larger scatter for our lowest richness bin, 20 < λ < 40. We note that the robustness of the scaling relations at lower richnesses is limited by the unknown selection function, but at λ > 75, we detect nearly all of the clusters falling within existing X-ray pointings. The X-ray properties of detected, serendipitous clusters are generally consistent with those of targeted clusters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

High Contrast Pattern Projection To Enable Background Oriented Schlieren Based Air Leak Detection Through Any Interior Or Exterior Building Surface

Air leakage in buildings wastes an estimated 4 quads of energy per year in the United States. Finding and sealing leakage sites is critical in existing buildings. Previous work has shown that background oriented Schlieren (BOS) imaging can be used to visualize air leakage but requires the leak to exit through a high contrast surface like a brick wall. To remedy this, different techniques of projecting various high contrast patterns on low contrast building surfaces like interior gypsum walls or vinyl siding were investigated. For each technique, the background quality was measured and compared to an ideal printed random dot background. The background quality metrics were correlated with the measured visualization metrics to understand which metrics are most important for maximizing air leak visualization performance. In this work, leakage visualization performance is presented for these various projected backgrounds with an aim to expand the building surfaces suitable for the BOS leak detector.

Jatana, Gurneesh [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000288903225)↗

Mission environment simulation for Army rotorcraft development: Requirements and capabilities

The rich and varied detail visible in terrain flight must be presented by a wide field-of-view system with much detail and high resolution. The rotary-wing R&D simulator must have great versatility for easy change of cab configurations and the capability to accommodate a two or three man crew. Basic specifications for an adequate visual display were developed and are compared with current and forecasted techniques for image generation and presentation. Results of a study performed to determine the feasibility of meeting these requirements using the current technology of TV camera-model image generation and projected display are discussed and an assessment of the possibility that computer generated imagery can achieve the desired level of detail is presented.

Key, D. L.↗

Incorporation of privacy elements in space station design

Privacy exists to the extent that individuals can control the degree of social contact that they have with one another. The opportunity to withdraw from other people serves a number of important psychological and social functions, and is in the interests of safety, high performance, and high quality of human life. Privacy requirements for Space Station crew members are reviewed, and architectual and other guidelines for helping astronauts achieve desired levels of privacy are suggested. In turn, four dimensions of privacy are discussed: the separation of activities by areas within the Space Station, controlling the extent to which astronauts have visual contact with one another, controlling the extent to which astronauts have auditory contact with one another, and odor control. Each section presents a statement of the problem, a review of general solutions, and specific recommendations. The report is concluded with a brief consideration of how selection, training, and other procedures can also help Space Station occupants achieve satisfactory levels of seclusion.

Harrison, Albert A.↗

An information maximization model of eye movements

We propose a sequential information maximization model as a general strategy for programming eye movements. The model reconstructs high-resolution visual information from a sequence of fixations, taking into account the fall-off in resolution from the fovea to the periphery. From this framework we get a simple rule for predicting fixation sequences: after each fixation, fixate next at the location that minimizes uncertainty (maximizes information) about the stimulus. By comparing our model performance to human eye movement data and to predictions from a saliency and random model, we demonstrate that our model is best at predicting fixation locations. Modeling additional biological constraints will improve the prediction of fixation sequences. Our results suggest that information maximization is a useful principle for programming eye movements.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗

Robotics Verification and Validation Strategies for Perseverance Rover Sampling and Caching

The Mars 2020 Sampling and Caching Subsystem(SCS) is the most complex robotic system ever fielded on a MarsRover. It includes a 5 degree-of-freedom Robotic Arm, coringdrill, gas Dust Removal Tool, interfaces for two turret-mountedinstruments, and an Adaptive Caching Assembly (ACA). TheACA is itself a complex robotic system, containing hardware tosupport docking and bit exchange, a 3 degree-of-freedomSample Handling Assembly for manipulating sample tubes,storage for several drill bits and sample tubes, and mechanismsto support observing and sealing samples collected by the drill.To successfully verify and validate the SCS hardware andsoftware and its integration with the Mars 2020 flight systemseveral key strategies were employed.The SCS Verification and Validation (V&V) program utilizedmultiple test venues with tiered levels of fidelity. These includedsimulation and visualization software environments, low fidelitydevelopment testbeds, testbeds with high fidelity SCS hardwareand commercial off-the shelf avionics, integrated systemtestbeds with flight-like avionics, and environmental testbedscapable of simulating Martian surface temperature andpressure. Multiple units of each SCS hardware componentmoved fluidly between test venues to accomplish myriadstandalone and coordinated test objectives. Test preparationand executions were performed by a diverse team of engineerswith training and technical ownership tailored for individualexperience and role. Despite significant differences between testvenues, the SCS V&V team established efficient and consistentprocesses and tools for procedure development, test execution,and data review that enabled personnel, as well as technicalproducts such as sequences and parameter configurations, toflow between venues effectively. A series of benchmark testsprovided evidence of performance consistency as elements weretransferred between venues and as system capability evolved.This paper provides an overview of the SCS V&V program andexplores several overarching strategies that enabled successfuloperation in the face of unprecedented complexity. Keyoutcomes of the SCS validation effort are summarized, alongwith lessons learned and beneficial integrations of validationtool and process innovations into Mars surface operations.

Brooks, Sawyer↗

Spectrum Preprocessing in the OPAD System

To determine the readiness of a rocket engine, and facilitate decisions on continued use of the engine before servicing is required, high-resolution optical spectrometers are used to acquire spectra from the exhaust plume. Such instruments are in place at the Technology Test Bed (TTB) stand at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the A1 stand at Stennis Space Center (SSC). The optical spectrometers in place have a wide wavelength range covering the visible and near-infrared regions, taking approximately 8000 measurements at about one Angstrom spacing every half second. In the early stages of this work, data analysis was done manually. A simple spectral model produced a theoretical spectrum for given amount of elements and an operator visually matched the theoretical and real spectra. Currently, extensive software is being developed to receive data from the spectrometer and automatically generate an estimate of element amounts in the plume. It will result in fast and reliable analysis, with the capability of real-time performance. This software is the result of efforts of several groups but mainly it has been developed and used by scientists and combustion engineers, in their effort of understanding the underlying physical processes and phenomena and creating visualization and report generation facilities. Most of the software has been developed using the IDL language and programming environment which allows for extensive data visualization. Although this environment has been very beneficial, the resulting programs execute very slowly and are not easily portable to more popular, real-time environments. The need for portability and high speed of execution is becoming more apparent as the software matures moving out of the experimentation stage and into the production stage where ease of use and short response time are the most desirable features. The purpose of the work described here is to assist the scientists who developed the original IDL-based version in the conversion of the software into the real-time, production version. Specifically, a section of the software devoted to the preprocessing of the spectra has been converted into the C language. In addition, parts of this software which may be improved have been identified, and recommendations are given to improve the functionality and ease of use of the new version.

Katsinis, Constantine↗

Kinetic phase evolution of spinel cobalt oxide during lithiation

Spinel cobalt oxide has been proposed to undergo a multiple-step reaction during the electrochemical lithiation process. Understanding the kinetics of the lithiation process in this compound is crucial to optimize its performance and cyclability. In this work, we have utilized a low-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy method to visualize the dynamic reaction process in real time and study the reaction kinetics at different rates. We show that the particles undergo a two-step reaction at the single-particle level, which includes an initial intercalation reaction followed by a conversion reaction. At low rates, the conversion reaction starts after the intercalation reaction has fully finished, consistent with the prediction of density functional theoretical calculations. At high rates, the intercalation reaction is overwhelmed by the subsequently nucleated conversion reaction, and the reaction speeds of both the intercalation and conversion reactions are increased. Phase-field simulations show the crucial role of surface diffusion rates of lithium ions in controlling this process. Furthermore, this work provides microscopic insights into the reaction dynamics in non-equilibrium conditions and highlights the effect of lithium diffusion rates on the overall reaction homogeneity as well as the performance.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

NASA GES DISC On-line Visualization and Analysis System for Gridded Remote Sensing Data

The ability to use data stored in the current NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) archives for studying regional or global phenomena is highly dependent on having a detailed understanding of the data's internal structure and physical implementation. Gaining this understanding and applying it to data reduction is a time-consuming task that must be undertaken before the core investigation can begin. This is an especially difficult challenge when science objectives require users to deal with large multi-sensor data sets that are usually of different formats, structures, and resolutions. The NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) has taken a major step towards meeting this challenge by developing an infrastructure with a Web interface that allows users to perform interactive analysis online without downloading any data, the GES-DISC Interactive Online Visualization and Analysis Infrastructure or "Giovanni." Giovanni provides interactive, online, analysis tools for data users to facilitate their research. There have been several instances of this interface created to serve TRMM users, Aerosol scientists, Ocean Color and Agriculture applications users. The first generation of these tools support gridded data only. The user selects geophysical parameters, area of interest, time period; and the system generates an output on screen in a matter of seconds. The currently available output options are: Area plot averaged or accumulated over any available data period for any rectangular area; Time plot time series averaged over any rectangular area; Hovmoller plots image view of any longitude-time and latitude-time cross sections; ASCII output for all plot types; Image animation for area plot. Another analysis suite deals with parameter intercomparison: scatter plots, temporal correlation maps, GIs-compatible outputs, etc. This allow user to focus on data content (i.e. science parameters) and eliminate the need for expensive learning, development and processing tasks that are redundantly incurred by an archive's user community. The current implementation utilizes the GrADS-DODS Server (GDS), and provides subsetting and analysis services across the Internet for any GrADS-readable dataset. The subsetting capability allows users to retrieve a specified temporal and/or spatial subdomain from a large dataset, eliminating the need to download everything simply to access a small relevant portion of a dataset. The analysis capability allows users to retrieve the results of an operation applied to one or more datasets on the server. We use this approach to read pre-processed binary files and/or to read and extract the needed parts directly from HDF or HDF-EOS files. These subsets then serve as inputs into GrADS analysis scripts. It can be used in a wide variety of Earth science applications: climate and weather events study and monitoring; modeling. It can be easily configured for new applications.

Leptoukh, Gregory G.↗

Advancements in Remote Ground Control Station Operator Pilot in Command Training Program for Beyond Visual Line of Sight Flight Operations

The training program for a Remote Ground Control Station Operator Pilot in Command (R-GCSO PIC) at NASA Langley Research Center marks a pivotal evolution in preparing operators for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This program, developed within the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project High Density Vertiplex (HDV) subproject, was crafted to bridge the gap between traditional Ground Control Station Operators (GCSO) and R-GCSO PICs, focusing on uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). It encompassed extensive theoretical and practical training, including hands-on experience with advanced simulators and live flight operations, while ensuring a deep understanding of BVLOS complexities. The training leveraged NASA technologies like the MPATH (Measuring Performance for Autonomy Teaming with Humans) ground control station software and incorporated human factors principles to enhance operational readiness. This paper details the program's development, execution, and the critical insights gained, emphasizing the necessity of continuous adaptation in training methodologies to meet the evolving demands of UAS operations in the National Airspace System.

Ground control station operator↗

Neutron tomography of axially symmetric objects using 14 MeV neutrons from a portable neutron generator

In nuclear boiling water reactor cores, the distribution of water and steam (void) is essential for both safety and efficiency reasons. In order to enhance predictive capabilities, void distribution assessment is performed in two-phase test-loops under reactor-relevant conditions. This article proposes the novel technique of fast-neutron tomography using a portable deuterium-tritium neutron generator to determine the time-averaged void distribution in these loops. Fast neutrons have the advantage of high transmission through the metallic structures and pipes typically concealing a thermal-hydraulic test loop, while still being fairly sensitive to the water/void content. However, commercially available fast-neutron generators also have the disadvantage of a relatively low yield and fast-neutron detection also suffers from relatively low detection efficiency. Fortunately, some loops are axially symmetric, a property which can be exploited to reduce the amount of data needed for tomographic measurement, thus limiting the interrogation time needed. In this article, three axially symmetric test objects depicting a thermal-hydraulic test loop have been examined; steel pipes with outer diameter 24 mm, thickness 1.5 mm, and with three different distributions of the plastic material POM inside the pipes. Data recorded with the FANTOM fast-neutron tomography instrument have been used to perform tomographic reconstructions to assess their radial material distribution. Here, a dedicated tomographic algorithm that exploits the symmetry of these objects has been applied, which is described in the paper. Results are demonstrated in 20 rixel (radial pixel) reconstructions of the interior constitution and 2D visualization of the pipe interior is demonstrated. The local POM attenuation coefficients in the rixels were measured with errors (RMS) of 0.025, 0.020, and 0.022 cm{sup −1}, solid POM attenuation coefficient. The accuracy and precision is high enough to provide a useful indication on the flow mode, and a visualization of the radial material distribution can be obtained. A benefit of this system is its potential to be mounted at any axial height of a two-phase test section without requirements for pre-fabricated entrances or windows. This could mean a significant increase in flexibility of the void distribution assessment capability at many existing two-phase test loops.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Distributed Exhaust Nozzles for Jet Noise Reduction

The main objective of this study is to validate the jet noise reduction potential of a concept associated with distributed exhaust nozzles. Under this concept the propulsive thrust is generated by a larger number of discrete plumes issuing from an array of small or mini-nozzles. The potential of noise reduction of this concept stems from the fact that a large number of small jets will produce very high frequency noise and also, if spaced suitably, they will coalesce at a smaller velocity to produce low amplitude, low frequency noise. This is accomplished through detailed acoustic and fluid measurements along with a Computational Fluidic Dynamic (CFD) solution of the mean (DE) Distributed Exhaust nozzle flowfield performed by Northrop-Grumman. The acoustic performance is quantified in an anechoic chamber. Farfield acoustic data is acquired for a DE nozzle as well as a round nozzle of the same area. Both these types of nozzles are assessed numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) techniques. The CFD analysis ensures that both nozzles issued the same amount of airflow for a given nozzle pressure ratio. Data at a variety of nozzle pressure ratios are acquired at a range of polar and azimuthal angles. Flow visualization of the DE nozzle is used to assess the fluid dynamics of the small jet interactions. Results show that at high subsonic jet velocities, the DE nozzle shifts its frequency of peak amplitude to a higher frequency relative to a round nozzle of equivalent area (from a S(sub tD) = 0.24 to 1. 3). Furthermore, the DE nozzle shows reduced sound pressure levels (as much as 4 - 8 dB) in the low frequency part of the spectrum (less than S(sub tD) = 0.24 ) compared to the round nozzle. At supersonic jet velocities, the DE nozzle does not exhibit the jet screech and the shock-associated broadband noise is reduced by as much as 12 dB.

Ahuja, K. K.↗

Visual scanning behavior and pilot workload

Sophisticated man machine interaction often requires the human operator to perform a stereotyped scan of various instruments in order to monitor and/or control a system. For situations in which this type of stereotyped behavior exists, such as certain phases of instrument flight, scan pattern was shown to be altered by the imposition of simultaneous verbal tasks. A study designed to examine the relationship between pilot visual scan of instruments and mental workload is described. It was found that a verbal loading task of varying difficulty causes pilots to stare at the primary instrument as the difficulty increases and to shed looks at instruments of less importance. The verbal loading task also affected the rank ordering of scanning sequences. By examining the behavior of pilots with widely varying skill levels, it was suggested that these effects occur most strongly at lower skill levels and are less apparent at high skill levels. A graphical interpretation of the hypothetical relationship between skill, workload, and performance is introduced and modelling results are presented to support this interpretation.

Tole, J. R.↗

In-situ observation of calcium chloride hexahydrate phase separation via neutron imaging

Inorganic salt hydrate offers a low-cost thermal energy storage solution with high energy density, but phase separation during thermal cycling poses a significant challenge, leading to irreversible performance degradation. In this research, neutron radiography was used to investigate phase separation in calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl₂·6H₂O, CCH) during thermal cycling to track its gradual accumulation into calcium chloride tetrahydrate (CaCl₂·4H₂O, CC4). Through in-situ visualization, phase separation and CC4 sedimentation were observed to occur during the cooling phase between 301.40 K and 304.80 K. CC4 accumulated linearly to 7.99 wt% after 10 thermal cycles. Crystallization and multi-cycle conversion models were developed to validate neutron imaging results of CC4 formation. The predicted CC4 content after 10 thermal cycles closely aligned with experimental observations. Neutron imaging offers a novel approach to investigate salt hydrate phase change materials (PCMs). It enables in-situ visualization of sub-hydrate (CC4) formation from original hydrate (CCH) in metastable phase change range (between 301.40 ± 0.66 K and 304.80 ± 0.60 K). Thereby, it provides a new insight of understanding the basis of phase separation mechanism and paves the way for future research of improving PCM thermal cycling performance.

Li, Yucen [The University of Tennessee, Knoxville]↗

Combining Deep Learning With Physics Based Features in Explosion-Earthquake Discrimination

This paper combines the power of deep-learning with the generalizability of physics-based features, to present an advanced method for seismic discrimination between earthquakes and explosions. The proposed method contains two branches: a deep learning branch operating directly on seismic waveforms or spectrograms, and a second branch operating on physics-based parametric features. These features are high-frequency P/S amplitude ratios and the difference between local magnitude (ML) and coda duration magnitude (MC). The combination achieves better generalization performance when applied to new regions than models that are developed solely with deep learning. Further, we also examined which parts of the waveform data dominate deep learning decisions (i.e., via Grad-CAM). Such visualization provides a window into the black-box nature of the machine-learning models and offers new insight into how the deep learning derived models use data to make decisions.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Laser confocal microscope for analysis of 3013 inner container closure weld region

As part of the protocol to investigate the corrosion in the inner container closure weld region (ICCWR) a laser confocal microscope (LCM) was used to perform close visual examination of the surface and measurements of corrosion features on the surface. However, initial analysis of selected destructively evaluated (DE) containers using the LCM revealed several challenges for acquiring, processing and interpreting the data. These challenges include topography of the ICCWR sample, surface features, and the amount of surface area for collecting data at high magnification conditions. In FY17, the LCM parameters were investigated to identify the appropriate parameter values for data acquisition and identification of regions of interest. Using these parameter values, selected DE containers were analyzed to determine the extent of the ICCWR to be examined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Reinforcement Learning-based Traffic Control to Optimize Energy Usage and Throughput (CRADA report)

The US roadways are critical to meeting the mobility and economic needs of the nation. The United States uses 28% of its energy in moving goods and people, with approximately 60% of that utilized by cars, light trucks, and motorcycles. Thus, improved transportation efficiency is vital to America’s economic progress. The increasing congestion and energy resource requirements of transportation systems for metropolitan areas require research in methods to improve and optimize control methods. Coordinating and optimizing traffic in urban areas may introduce hundreds of thousands of vehicles and traffic management systems, which can require high performance computing (HPC) resources to model and manage. In this work, we seek to use machine learning, computer vision, and HPC to improve the energy efficiency aspects of traffic control by leveraging GRIDSMART traffic cameras as sensors for adaptive traffic control, with a sensitivity to the fuel consumption characteristics of the traffic in the camera’s visual field. Traffic control use cases using reinforcement learning have been published and achieved good results. Surveys from DOE national laboratories estimate that the fuel cost of idling is 6 billion gallons wasted annually [Argonne National Laboratory, 2019]. GRIDSMART cameras—an existing, fielded commercial product—sense the presence of vehicles at intersections and replace more conventional sensors (such as inductive loops) to issue calls to traffic control. These cameras, which have horizon-to-horizon view, offer the potential for an improved view of the traffic environment which can be used to generate better control algorithms.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Applications of PLIF within Supersonic/Hypersonic Flows relevant to Space Technology and Exploration

We summarize two recent applications of planar laser-induced fluorescence using seeded nitric oxide (NO-PLIF) within two different large-scale facilities for space technology and exploration. The first measurement campaign described is the NO-PLIF measurements performed within the 31-in Mach 10 air tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center for flow visualization, velocity, and temperature measurements of the wake produced by a hypersonic blunt-body. PLIF within this wake-flow was performed to support the developments of HIAD (hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator) technology, including the recent LOFTID flight mission. The second campaign is the NO-PLIF measurements performed within a 20-ft vacuum chamber at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for flow visualization of a Mach 5 plume impinging on a flat plate under rarefied and continuum conditions. PLIF within this supersonic flow was performed to support future lunar and Martian lander missions by investigating the plume impingement behavior. While both of these measurement campaigns were performed using 10 Hz PLIF laser systems, current efforts include utilization of tunable high-repetition-rate lasers for NO-PLIF measurements up to kHz-MHz rates.

Planar laser-induced fluorescence↗