Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “signalling”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,063 records · Page 59

shiftNMFk 1.1: Robust Nonnegative matrix factorization with kmeans clustering and signal shift, for allocation of unknown physical sources, toy version for open sourcing with publications

This code is a toy (short) version of CODE-2016-83. From a general perspective, the code represents an unsupervised adaptive machine learning algorithm that allows efficient and high performance de-mixing and feature extraction of a multitude of non-negative signals mixed and recorded by a network of uncorrelated sensor arrays. The code identifies the number of the mixed original signals and their locations. Further, the code also allows deciphering of signals that have been delayed in regards to the mixing process in each sensor. This code is high customizable and it can be efficiently used for a fast macro-analyses of data. The code is applicable to a plethora of distinct problems: chemical decomposition, pressure transient decomposition, unknown sources/signal allocation, EM signal decomposition. An additional procedure for allocation of the unknown sources is incorporated in the code.

Alexandrov, BoianS.↗

Dataset of Simulated Intracardiac Transmembrane Voltage Recordings and ECG Signals

The dataset consists of pairs of computationally simulated intracardiac transmembrane voltage recordings and ECG signals. In total, 16140 organ-level simulations were conducted to create this dataset, using a range of cardiac geometries and physiological parameters. Simulations were performed at LLNL's Lassen supercomputer, concurrently utilizing 4 GPUs and 40 CPU cores. Each simulation produced pairs of 500ms-by-10 ECG signals and 500ms-by-75 transmembrane voltage signals. For convenience, the signals are concatenated and saved as matrices. Each of these matrices is then stored as a numpy array. See the documentation for further details.

Landajuela, Mikel↗

SMAD4 target genes are part of a transcriptional network that integrates the response to BMP and SHH signaling during early limb bud patterning

SMAD4 regulates gene expression in response to BMP and TGFβ signal transduction, and is required for diverse morphogenetic processes, but its target genes have remained largely elusive. Here, we identify the SMAD4 target genes in mouse limb buds using an epitope-tagged Smad4 allele for ChIP-seq analysis in combination with transcription profiling. This analysis shows that SMAD4 predominantly mediates BMP signal transduction during early limb bud development. Unexpectedly, the expression of cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes is precociously downregulated and intracellular cholesterol levels are reduced in Smad4-deficient limb bud mesenchymal progenitors. Most importantly, our analysis reveals a predominant function of SMAD4 in upregulating target genes in the anterior limb bud mesenchyme. Analysis of differentially expressed genes shared between Smad4- and Shh-deficient limb buds corroborates this function of SMAD4 and also reveals the repressive effect of SMAD4 on posterior genes that are upregulated in response to SHH signaling. This analysis uncovers opposing trans-regulatory inputs from SHH- and SMAD4-mediated BMP signal transduction on anterior and posterior gene expression during the digit patterning and outgrowth in early limb buds.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Analysis of pump-to-signal noise transfer in two-stage ultra-broadband optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification

In optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA), pump temporal intensity modulation is transferred to the chirped-signal spectrum via instantaneous parametric gain and results in contrast degradation of the recompressed signal. We investigate, for the first time to our knowledge, the pump-to-signal noise transfer in a two-stage ultra-broadband OPCPA pumped by a single laser and show the dependence of pump-induced signal noise, characterized both before and after pulse compression, on the difference in pump-seed delay in the two stages. We demonstrate an up-to-15-dB reduction of the pump-induced contrast degradation via pump-seed delay optimization. Experiments and simulations show that, even when parametric amplifiers are operated in saturation, the pump-seed delay can be used to minimize the pump-induced contrast degradation that is attributed largely to the noises from the unsaturated edges of the pulse and that of the beam.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

FLS2-BAK1 Extracellular Domain Interaction Sites Required for Defense Signaling Activation

Signaling initiation by receptor-like kinases (RLKs) at the plasma membrane of plant cells often requires regulatory leucine-rich repeat (LRR) RLK proteins such as SERK or BIR proteins. The present work examined how the microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) receptor FLS2 builds signaling complexes with BAK1 (SERK3). We first, using in vivo methods that validate separate findings by others, demonstrated that flg22 (flagellin epitope) ligand-initiated FLS2-BAK1 extracellular domain interactions can proceed independent of intracellular domain interactions. We then explored a candidate SERK protein interaction site in the extracellular domains (ectodomains; ECDs) of the significantly different receptors FLS2, EFR (MAMP receptors), PEPR1 (damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) receptor), and BRI1 (hormone receptor). Repeat conservation mapping revealed a cluster of conserved solvent-exposed residues near the C-terminus of models of the folded LRR domains. However, site-directed mutagenesis of this conserved site in FLS2 did not impair FLS2-BAK1 ECD interactions, and mutations in the analogous site of EFR caused receptor maturation defects. Hence this conserved LRR C-terminal region apparently has functions other than mediating interactions with BAK1. In vivo tests of the subsequently published FLS2-flg22-BAK1 ECD co-crystal structure were then performed to functionally evaluate some of the unexpected configurations predicted by that crystal structure. In support of the crystal structure data, FLS2-BAK1 ECD interactions were no longer detected in in vivo co-immunoprecipitation experiments after site-directed mutagenesis of the FLS2 BAK1-interaction residues S554, Q530, Q627 or N674. In contrast, in vivo FLS2-mediated signaling persisted and was only minimally reduced, suggesting residual FLS2-BAK1 interaction and the limited sensitivity of co-immunoprecipitation data relative to in vivo assays for signaling outputs. However, Arabidopsis plants expressing FLS2 with the Q530A+Q627A double mutation were impaired both in detectable interaction with BAK1 and in FLS2-mediated responses, lending overall support to current models of FLS2 structure and function.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Rapid and Robust Cross-Correlation-Based Seismic Signal Identification Using an Approximate Nearest Neighbor Method

The matched filtering technique that uses the cross correlation of a waveform of interest with archived signals from a template library has proven to be a powerful tool for detecting events in regions with repeating seismicity. However, waveform correlation is computationally expensive and therefore impractical for large template sets unless dedicated distributed computing hardware and software are used. In this paper, we introduce an approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) approach that enables the use of very large template libraries for waveform correlation. Our method begins with a projection into a reduced dimensionality space, based on correlation with a randomized subset of the full template archive. Searching for a specified number of nearest neighbors for a query waveform is accomplished by iteratively comparing it with the neighbors of its immediate neighbors. We used the approach to search for matches to each of ~2300 analyst-reviewed signal detections reported in May 2010 for the International Monitoring System station MKAR. The template library in this case consists of a data set of more than 200,000 analyst-reviewed signal detections for the same station from February 2002 to July 2016 (excluding May 2010). Of these signal detections, 73% are teleseismic first P and 17% regional phases (Pn, Pg, Sn, and Lg). Finally, the analyses performed on a standard desktop computer show that the proposed ANN approach performs a search of the large template libraries about 25 times faster than the standard full linear search and achieves recall rates greater than 80%, with the recall rate increasing for higher correlation thresholds.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Generating Uncertainty Distributions for Seismic Signal Onset Times

Signal arrival-time estimation plays a critical role in a variety of downstream seismic analyses, including location estimation and source characterization. Any arrival-time errors propagate through subsequent data-processing results. In this article, we detail a general framework for refining estimated seismic signal arrival times along with full estimation of their associated uncertainty. Using the standard short-term average/long-term average threshold algorithm to identify a search window, we demonstrate how to refine the pick estimate through two different approaches. In both cases, new waveform realizations are generated through bootstrap algorithms to produce full a posteriori estimates of uncertainty of onset arrival time of the seismic signal. The onset arrival uncertainty estimates provide additional data-derived information from the signal and have the potential to influence seismic analysis along several fronts.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Bistatic SAR: Signal Processing and Image Formation.

This report describes the significant processing steps that were used to take the raw recorded digitized signals from the bistatic synthetic aperture RADAR (SAR) hardware built for the NCNS Bistatic SAR project to a final bistatic SAR image. In general, the process steps herein are applicable to bistatic SAR signals that include the direct-path signal and the reflected signal. The steps include preprocessing steps, data extraction to for a phase history, and finally, image format. Various plots and values will be shown at most steps to illustrate the processing for a bistatic COSMO SkyMed collection gathered on June 10, 2013 on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Wahl, Daniel E.↗

Investigating the Impact of Connected Vehicle Market Share on the Performance of Reinforcement-Learning Based Traffic Signal Control

We aim to understand and explore the performance of reinforcement learning based signal control algorithms in a mixed environment with less than 100% market share of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). Within a simulation environment, we have considered partial connectivity—less than 100% market share of CAVs—in the network and investigated the impact on the performance of the signal control algorithm. Two test networks including a four-intersection arterial in Lankershim Boulevard, CA, and a portion of downtown Springfield, IL, with 20 intersections. The first network is calibrated in the micro-simulator PTV Vissim with the US DOT provided NGSIM datasets. The results provide insights regarding the impact of the connectivity and sensing technologies on the practical implementation of traffic signal control algorithms that leverage the data sharing capability of a connected environment. For scenarios with 40% or more market share of CAVs, we observed improvement in the performance metrics—travel time, queue time, and energy consumption—with the increase in market share. Results from our experiments do not indicate any clear trend when the networks have low (less than 40%) market share of CAVs. The higher standard deviations as obtained from the statistical analyses of the performance metrics at low market share may indicate the instability of the RL controller arising from the partial (if not zero) observability of the traffic states. Further, we have conducted simplified scenario analyses to explore the impact of the market share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on energy consumption due to the regenerative braking feature. Our results and findings will be the foundation for the future reinforcement learning based control algorithm development that accounts for partial connectivity—less than 100% CAV market share, and the presence of BEVs in a network of connected and automated signalized intersections.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Adaptive Self-Tuning of Signal Detection Parameters

The quality of automatic detections from sensor networks depends on a large number of data processing parameters that interact in complex ways. The largely manual process of identifying effective parameters is painstaking and does not guarantee that the resulting controls are the optimal configuration settings, yet achieving superior automatic detection of events is closely related to these parameters. We present an automated sensor tuning (AST) system that tunes effective parameter settings for each sensor detector to the current state of the environment by leveraging cooperation within a neighborhood of sensors. After a stabilization period, the AST algorithm can adapt in near real-time to changing conditions and automatically self-tune a signal detector to identify (detect) only signals from events of interest. The overall goal is to reduce the number of missed legitimate event detections and the number of false event detections. Our current work focuses on reducing false signal detections early in the seismic signal processing pipeline, which leads to fewer false events and has a significant impact on reducing analyst time and effort. Applicable both for existing sensor performance boosting and new sensor deployment, this system provides an important new method to automatically tune complex remote sensing systems. Systems tuned in this way will achieve better performance than is currently possible by manual tuning, and with much less time and effort devoted to the tuning process. With ground truth on detections from a seismic sensor network monitoring the Mount Erebus Volcano in Antarctica, we show that AST increases the probability of detection while decreasing false alarms.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Trans-ionospheric signal polarization

An electromagnetic (EM) wave originating at or near the earth’s surface can propagate upwards, traverse the ionosphere, and then be detected at a satellite. While the signal’s magnitude will affect its detectabilty, its polarization will play an important role as well. Furthermore the signal polarization can reveal properties about its source, and the ionospheric conditions through which it traveled. Thus, it is desirable to predict the polarization characteristics of trans-ionospheric EM signals. This situation is complicated by the birefringence imposed on an EM wave propagating in the magnetized plasma of the ionosphere. Each frequency component of the signal can excite two waves that propagate at different phase velocities due to their separate refractive characteristics.For this work, the amplitude and phase of each EM wave field spatial component is followed as it crosses the lower ionospheric boundary, traverses the ionosphere and then crosses the upper boundary. Results are for a single frequency, and can be easily extended to broadband waveforms using fourier transform techniques.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Auto-Curation of Seismic Event Data for Signal Denoising

Denoising contaminated seismic signals for later processing is a fundamental problem in seismic signals analysis. Neural network approaches have shown success denoising local signals when trained on short-time Fourier transform spectrograms. One challenge of this approach is the onerous process of hand-labeling event signals for training. By leveraging the SCALODEEP seismic event detector, we develop an automated set of techniques for labeling event data. Despite region specific challenges, training the neural network denoiser on machine curated events shows comparable performance to the neural network trained on hand curated events. We showcase our technique with two experiments, one using Utah regional data and one using regional data from the Korean peninsula.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

LL18-Signal Analysis-NDD2Ad (Final Report)

Under favorable circumstances, seismic waveforms corresponding to an ensemble of events related by a common, spatially-distributed process collectively exhibit a regular, signal-space geometry. When events in the ensemble have a common, or nearly common, source mechanism, this geometry is a distorted image of the distribution of events in the source region. The signal space image can be visualized using a relatively simple waveform alignment and projection operation. Ensemble waveform correlation measurements can be inverted to estimate the distribution of the events in the source region, up to an arbitrary rotation, reflection, and scaling with residual distortion. We demonstrate these concepts with synthetic waveforms and with observations of long-wall mining induced seismicity for which substantial ground truth information is available. Our experience with these data has implications for location, correlation detection and machine learning, and possible application to studies of repeating events in induced, volcanic, and glacial seismicity. Our results place limits on the widely-held assumption that waveform correlation is a useful measure of event separation. We suggest that the constraints on event separation need to be evaluated in the context of a population of related events, whose waveforms sample the signal space image of the source region. A better indicator of event separation is the length of the shortest path in signal space along the image.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Illuminating gut microbiome signaling pathways that regulate host circadian rhythms

The gut microbiome affects host physiology by modulating nutrient acquisition and creating chemical signals that are received by host receptors. The molecular details of the orchestration of these microbial signaling processes remain largely unclear. We used a function-centric approach to interrogate the mechanistic links between gut microbiome metabolism and host circadian rhythms. We used rodent models, including germ-free mice, to determine how the gut microbiome influences host chronobiology by assaying metabolites in the gut and in circulation, and we used activity-based protein profiling to provide direct functional links to individual taxa. We specifically investigated how externally imposed behavioral schedules, such as feeding schedules, can desynchronize biological rhythms in metabolic organs (e.g., the gut, pancreas, and liver) from the central circadian rhythms regulated by the brain. We hypothesize that the gut microbiome creates chemical signals that can be entrained by feeding/fasting schedule to induce internal metabolic misalignment. Elaborating on the findings of this project will elucidate the chemical signals from the microbiome that modulate biological rhythms in the host’s metabolic organs.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Signal Transduction Pathways of Chloroplast Quality Control (Final Report)

Chloroplasts (photosynthetic plastids) of higher plants contain about 3000 proteins of which more than 95% are encoded by nuclear genes. To avoid the accumulation of reactive oxygen species that are the inherent by-product of photosynthesis, gene expression of these spatially separated genomes is regulated by two-way signaling. Thus, while plastid differentiation and development are largely under nuclear control, developmentally arrested or damaged plastids can regulate expression of nuclear genes via retrograde signaling pathways. In previous years of DOE-funded study, we performed a number of genetic screens that implicated the chloroplast-localized tetrapyrrole biosynthesis pathway as the source of both positive and stress-related retrograde signals. Using that work as a foundation, we have recently uncovered a new type of retrograde signal that leads to the selective removal of damaged chloroplasts from the cell. However, the mechanisms of such a chloroplast quality control pathway are not well characterized or understood.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Passband Signal Detection at the Edge

Algorithms for radio frequency (RF) spectrum awareness need to be compatible with edge hardware to be practical for many applications. We developed a signal detection and classification model for the ZCU111 RF System-on-a-Chip (RFSoC) that operates on the fast Fourier transform of passband RF data. The system can detect and classify multiple signals of interest and display the predictions in real-time. The model consists of a modified ConvNeXt backbone and YOLOv3 head to operate on the Deep Learning Processing Unit on the RFSoC. We gathered datasets for training and testing by using a software defined radio to transmit example signals of Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Wi-Fi 802.11 n, FM Radio, LTE and LTE-M. By leveraging multiple inputs on the RFSoC frontend, the datasets span up to 4 GHz of bandwidth. The models showed high performance in classification accuracy, center frequency error, bandwidth error, and detection accuracy for both single and multi-signal datasets.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Developing a Lightning All-Clear Signal for the Savannah River Site

Lightning safety is a major concern at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Notifications are provided when 3-strikes occur onsite within a 15-minute period. It is generally left up to individual contractors at SRS to determine when it is safe for workers to return to outside work, generally following a 3-hour period of no lightning, after the last lightning strike occurs. This work tries to improve safe return to work decisions by developing a reliable all-clear signal using an electric field mill. The best signal used thresholds from multiple electric field values to provide an average delay for return to work of 2 hours and 13 minutes. This average was heavily influenced by lingering storms in the area or missing data from power or network outages. One event out of 98 signaled the all-clear prior to another event occurring less than 60 minutes later. Regardless, 62% of the all clear signals had delay times less than the mean and 72% had delay times less than the current 3-hour delay after the last strike. This provides better worker safety for returning to work than 30 minutes after the last lightning strike (e.g. OSHA Lightning Safety) and improves the delay time from the current 3-hour delay.

Noble, Stephen [Savannah River National Laboratory↗

Wavelet-Based Genomic Signal Processing for Centromere Identification and Hypothesis Generation

Various ‘omics data types have been generated for Populus trichocarpa , each providing a layer of information which can be represented as a density signal across a chromosome. We make use of genome sequence data, variants data across a population as well as methylation data across 10 different tissues, combined with wavelet-based signal processing to perform a comprehensive analysis of the signature of the centromere in these different data signals, and successfully identify putative centromeric regions in P. trichocarpa from these signals. Furthermore, using SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) correlations across a natural population of P. trichocarpa , we find evidence for the co-evolution of the centromeric histone CENH3 with the sequence of the newly identified centromeric regions, and identify a new CENH3 candidate in P. trichocarpa .

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗