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At least 127 records · Page 7

The influence of natural variability on extreme monsoons in Pakistan

The monsoons in Pakistan have been exceptionally harsh in recent decades, resulting in extraordinary drought conditions and record flooding events. The changing characteristics of extreme events are widely attributed to climate change. However, given this region’s long history of floods and droughts, the role of natural climate variability cannot be rejected without a careful diagnosis. Here, we examine how oceanic and atmospheric variability has contributed to unusual precipitation distributions in West South Asia. Variations in sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and northern Arabian Sea, and internal atmospheric variability related to the circumglobal teleconnection pattern and the subtropical westerly jet stream, explain more than 70% of monthly summer precipitation variability in the 21st century. Several of these forcings have co-occurred with record strength during episodes of extreme monsoons, which have exacerbated the overall effect. Climate change may have contributed to increased variability and the in-phase co-occurrences of the identified mechanisms, but further research is required to confirm any such connection.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Tracing Material Flow Paths in Friction Stir Welds

Heat and mechanical work are coupled in the friction stir welding process. The process variables are RPM, translational weld speed, and downward plunge force. The strain-temperature history of a metal element at each point on the cross-section of the weld is determined by the process variables plus the individual flow path taken by the particular filament of metal flowing around the tool and ending on flat point. The strain-temperature history determines the properties of a metal element on the weld cross-section. The strain-temperature history is carefully controlled in metal processes where direct control is feasible. Indirect estimates of the flow paths and the strain-temperature histories of filaments comprising friction stir welds can be made from a model, if the model is good enough. This paper describes marker studies of flow path geometries for various process parameters. Observed geometries are compared with geometries estimated from models.

Sanders, Johnny↗

Emergence of Intermediate Range Order in Jammed Packings

We perform a structural analysis of large scale jammed packings of monodisperse, frictionless and frictional spheres to elucidate structural signatures of the static structure factor in the low-to-intermediate wave number region. We employ discrete element method simulations containing up to 8×10^{7} particles, in which the particle friction coefficient(s), including sliding, rolling, and twisting interactions, are varied. At intermediate wave number values, corresponding to length scales that lie between that of the nearest neighbor primary peak and the system size, we find the emergence of a prepeak-a signature of intermediate range order-that grows with increasing friction. We correlate the emergence of this peak to real space fluctuations in the local particle coordination number, which exhibits a grainy fluctuating field throughout the packing process that is retained in the final, mechanically stable state. While the formation of the prepeak shows varying degrees of robustness to packing protocol changes, our results suggest that preparation history may be used to construct packings with variable large length scale structural properties.

Monti, Joseph M↗

Improving the Transportability of a Deep Learning Denoising Model Using Transfer Learning Techniques

The adoption of machine learning techniques in the seismology community has led to great performance improvements in several areas, including signal processing. Specifically, the development of deep learning–based seismic waveform denoising models has the potential to yield improvements in signal detection capabilities for networks operating in particularly noisy environments. Recent advancements in the design of these deep learning denoising models have included the incorporation of continuous and discrete wavelet transform functions into the network architecture to improve the learning capabilities and efficiency of said models. These wavelet transform–based seismic denoising models have shown improved denoising capabilities in regions where there is good agreement between the data features present in the training and evaluation datasets. However, questions remain about the overall transportability of these models to other monitoring regions. Here, in this study, we will determine the baseline transportability of a newly developed multilevel wavelet‐transform convolutional neural network (MWCNN) seismic denoising model. We accomplish this by taking a version of the MWCNN denoising model trained on data collected from the Utah region and evaluating its denoising performance on datasets collected from the neighboring Nevada region, which differ with regard to monitoring sensor types and event histories. We find that there is a notable variability in denoising performance related to the degree of similarity between the initial and new target datasets. The most notable difference in denoising performance is the ability of the denoising model to preserve accurate amplitude information associated with the signal energy present in the waveform data. Finally, we evaluate the ability of transfer learning techniques to improve the transportability of the MWCNN denoising model. We find that although there is still a performance gap present in the denoising results of the MWCNN model, transfer learning did yield improved results.

Quinones, Louis [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL↗

Updating prediction models by dynamical relaxation - An examination of the technique

A dynamical relaxation technique for updating prediction models is analyzed with the help of the linear and nonlinear barotropic primitive equations. It is assumed that a complete four-dimensional time history of some prescribed subset of the meteorological variables is known. The rate of adaptation of the flow variables toward the true state is determined for a linearized f-model, and for mid-latitude and equatorial beta-plane models. The results of the analysis are corroborated by numerical experiments with the nonlinear shallow-water equations.

Davies, H. C.↗

Assessment of historical and projected segments of US and world civil and military rotorcraft markets, 1960 - 1990

The geographic climatic, political, economic and demographic environment of 75 countries was analyzed with respect to helicopter procurement history and usage. Key environmental indicators which are variables were projected into strengths and weaknesses of U.S. technology are reviewed. The civil market sensitivity to new technology is forecast with selected premises as to vehicle life, noise standards, fuel costs, GNP expansion and traffic growth. The forecast is based on a scenario of helicopter technology improvements resulting in increased size and performance.

Yates, W. J.↗

Observations of the galactic center with the GSFC low-energy gamma-ray spectrometer - Preliminary results

The results of measurements made of the gamma ray emission originating from the galactic center are reviewed. The data were gathered with balloon borne gamma ray spectrometers, with the scans centering on 511 keV. Minimum Chi-sq fits were calculated for the recorded emissions, assuming a constant source modulated by the detector response and superimposed on a constant background. A time history of the 511 keV line intensity demonstrated variability in the feature, whereas the continuum spectrum showed a high correlation with previous measurements. An excess in the continuum just below the 511 keV line was taken as an indication of positronium formation.

Paciesas, W. S.↗

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 16th, Houston, TX, March 11-15, 1985, Proceedings. Part 1

Various papers on lunar studies, meteorites and cosmic dust, Mars, and tektites are presented. The topics discussed include: very high potassium basalt; complications in mare basalt petrogenesis; mare basalt genesis; modeling trace elements and isotopic ratios; Zr-Hf-Ta fractionation during lunar evolution; petrology of the Apollo 12 highland component; petrologic province maps of the lunar highlands derived from orbital geochemical data; petrology and chemistry of Apollo 12 regolith breccias; chemical variability and origin of agglutinitic glass; multistage exposure history of the 74261 soil constituents; and an experimental investigation of agglutinate melting mechanisms; shocked mixtures of sodium and potassium feldspars. Also addressed are: cooling history of some Antarctic ureilites; the Leoville accretionary breccia; ubiquitous brecciation after metamorphism in equilibrated ordinary chondrites; layer silicates in a chondritic porous interplanetary dust particle; estimates of rheological properties for flows on the Martian volcano Ascraeus Mons; the Martian dust storm of Sol 1742; and late Eocene North American microtektites and clinopyroxene-bearing spherules.

Ryder, G.↗

The Martian crustal dichotomy: Product of accretion and not a specific event?

Attempts to explain the fundamental crustal dichotomy on Mars range from purely endogenic to extreme exogenic processes, but to date no satisfactory theory has evolved. What is accepted is: (1) the dichotomy is an ancient feature of the Martian crust, and (2) the boundary between the cratered highlands and northern plains which marks the dichotomy in parts of Mars has undergone significant and variable modification during the observable parts of Martian history. Some ascribe it to a single mega-impact event, essentially an instantaneous rearrangement of the crustal structures (topography and lithospheric thickness). Others prefer an internal mechanism: a period of vigorous convection subcrustally erodes the northern one third of Mars, causing foundering and isostatic lowering of that part of Mars. The evidence for each theory is reviewed, with the conclusion that there is little to recommend either. An alternative is suggested: the formation of the crustal dichotomy on Mars was not a specific tectonic event but a byproduct of the accretionary process and therefore a primordial characteristic of the Martian crust, predating the oldest recognizable landforms.

Frey, Herbert↗

Earth system science: A program for global change

The Earth System Sciences Committee (ESSC) was appointed to consider directions for the NASA Earth-sciences program, with the following charge: review the science of the Earth as a system of interacting components; recommend an implementation strategy for Earth studies; and define the role of NASA in such a program. The challenge to the Earth system science is to develop the capability to predict those changes that will occur in the next decade to century, both naturally and in response to human activity. Sustained, long-term measurements of global variables; fundamental descriptions of the Earth and its history; research foci and process studies; development of Earth system models; an information system for Earth system science; coordination of Federal agencies; and international cooperation are examined.

Source record↗

Computer simulation of multigrid body dynamics and control

The objective is to set up and analyze benchmark problems on multibody dynamics and to verify the predictions of two multibody computer simulation codes. TREETOPS and DISCOS have been used to run three example problems - one degree-of-freedom spring mass dashpot system, an inverted pendulum system, and a triple pendulum. To study the dynamics and control interaction, an inverted planar pendulum with an external body force and a torsional control spring was modeled as a hinge connected two-rigid body system. TREETOPS and DISCOS affected the time history simulation of this problem. System state space variables and their time derivatives from two simulation codes were compared.

Swaminadham, M.↗

Optical variability in the unusual K5 V infrared-excess star HD 98800

The dusty infrared-excess star HD 98800 (K5 V) was observed for several weeks in the spring of 1993 by the Vanderbilt/Tennessee State 0.4 m automatic photoelectric telescope. It was found to be a variable star with an amplitude of 0.07 mag in V and a period of 14.7 days. We show, by comparison with other chromospherically active variable stars and constant stars with good observational histories, that the Rossby number for HD 98800, determined to be 0.30, places it well within the regime of stars whose convective envelopes and rotation rates combine to drive a magnetic dynamo strong enough to generate photometrically observable starspots. The light curve suggests at least two large spots at somewhat different longitudes on HD 98800, one of which could be as large as 16 deg in radius.

Henry, Gregory W.↗

A Spitzer Survey for Dust in Type IIn Supernovae

Recent observations suggest that Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) may exhibit late-time (>100 days) infrared (IR) emission from warm dust more than other types of core-collapse SNe. Mid-IR observations, which span the peak of the thermal spectral energy distribution, provide useful constraints on the properties of the dust and, ultimately, the circumstellar environment, explosion mechanism, and progenitor system. Due to the low Type IIn rate (<10% of all core-collapse SNe), few IR observations exist for this subclass. The handful of isolated studies, however, show late-time IR emission from warm dust that, in some cases, extends for five or six years post-discovery. vVhile previous Spitzer/IRAC surveys have searched for dust in SNe, none have targeted the Type IIn subclass. This article presents results from a warm Spitzer/IRAC survey of the positions of all 68 known SNe IIn within a distance of 250 Mpc between 1999 and 2008 that have remained unobserved by Spitzer more than 100 days post-discovery. The detection of late-time emission from ten targets (approx. 15 %) nearly doubles the database of existing mid-IR observations of SNe IIn. Although optical spectra show evidence for new dust formation in some cases, the data show that in most cases the likely origin of the mid-IR emission is pre-existing dust, which is continuously heated by optical emission generated by ongoing circumstellar interaction between the forward shock and circumstellar medium. Furthermore, an emerging trend suggests these SNe "turn off" at " approx. 1000-2000 days post-discovery once the forward shock overruns the dust shell. The mass-loss rates associated with these dust shells are consistent with luminous blue variable (LBV) progenitors having similar mass-loss histories.

Fox, Ori D.↗

Evolved Gas Analyses of Sedimentary Rocks from the Glen Torridon Clay-Bearing Unit, Gale Crater, Mars: Results From the Mars Science Laboratory Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite

Evolved gas analysis (EGA) data from the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite indicated Fe-rich smectite, carbonate, oxidized organics, Fe/Mg sulfate, and chloride in sedimentary rocks from the Glen Torridon (GT) region of Gale crater that displayed phyllosilicate spectral signatures from orbit. SAM evolved H2O data indicated that the primary phyllosilicate in all GT samples was an Fe-rich dioctahedral smectite (e.g., nontronite) with lesser amounts of a phyllosilicate such as mixed layer talc-serpentine or greenalite-minnesotaite. CO(2) data supported the identification of siderite in several samples, and CO(2) and CO data was also consistent with trace oxidized organic compounds such as oxalate salts. SO(2) data indicated trace and/or amorphous Fe sulfates in all samples and one sample may contain Fe sulfides. SO(2) data points to significant Mg sulfates in two samples, and lesser amounts in several other samples. A lack of evolved O(2) indicated the absence of oxychlorine salts and Mn3+/Mn4+ oxides. The lack of, or very minor, evolved NO revealed absent or very trace nitrate/nitrite salts. HCl data suggested chloride salts in GT samples. Constraints from EGA data on mineralogy and chemistry indicated that the environmental history of GT involved alteration with fluids of variable redox potential, chemistry and pH under a range of fluid-to-rock ratio conditions. Several of the fluid episodes could have provided habitable environmental conditions and carbon would have been available to any past microbes though the lack of significant N could have been a limiting factor for microbial habitability in the GT region.

A. C. McAdam↗

Variability in shell models of GRBs

Many cosmological models of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) assume that a single relativistic shell carries kinetic energy away from the source and later converts it into gamma rays, perhaps by interactions with the interstellar medium or by internal shocks within the shell. Although such models are able to reproduce general trends in GRB time histories, it is difficult to reproduce the high degree of variability often seen in GRBs. The authors investigate methods of achieving this variability using a simplified external shock model. Since the model emphasizes geometric and statistical considerations, rather than the detailed physics of the shell, it is applicable to any theory that relies on relativistic shells. They find that the variability in GRBs gives strong clues to the efficiency with which the shell converts its kinetic energy into gamma rays.

Sumner, M. C.↗

Publishing Variables Archived at GES DISC to Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF)

We present a straightforward and low-cost approach to publish variables archived at NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) to the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF). An ESGF publication requires a single standard-name variable aggregated over time to facilitate data inter-comparison. It also contains significant metadata to enable searching in ESGF. We look up standard names on high demand in ESGF search history, and using OPeNDAP and NcML technologies we aggregate the corresponding variables available in the GES DISC archive with augmented metadata required by CMIP6 and obs4MIPs Data Specification version 2.1. At this writing 10 variables from a standard product of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder along with the Tech Notes are published in ESGF by NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS). Users can view, analyze, and subset remotely, and download these aggregated variables via links in any ESGF node after searching. We plan to work on and publish more variables and data from different NASA missions and experiments in our archive.

Fan Fang↗

Understanding the Uncertainty and Variability of Earth’s Radiation Budget Components Over the Past 3 Decades from the NASA’s GEWEX Surface Radiation Budget Release 4 Integrated Product

The NASA/GEWEX Surface Radiation Budget (SRB) project produced a 30+ year time series of 3-hourly Top-of-Atmosphere (TOA) and surface radiative flux components at a 1x1 degree resolution. This SRB Release 4 Integrated Productare derived using imager data products from the cross-calibrated from ISCCP (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project) “HSeries” radiance, cloud and surface property data products. The ISCCP HXS product replaces ISCCP DX with a ninefold increase in pixel count (10km instead of 30km). ISCCP also provides an atmospheric temperature and moisture dataset known as nnHIRS which we use and discuss radiative flux sensitivities to in this presentation. Total solar irradiance is now variable consistent with SORCE measurements. Sea surface (SeaFlux v2.0) and land surface products (LandFlux) are utilized to achieve an radiative flux estimatesintegrated with global data sets from these GEWEX projects. The variable aerosol composition are specified using a detailed aerosol history from the Max Planck Institute Aerosol Climatology (MAC) also used for background aerosol in the ISCCP HX. Numerous other improvements were made to the SW and LW algorithms including improved cloud optical property treatments and specification of surface spectral albedo and emissivity for various surface conditions. Here we analyze the new SWand LWSRB datasets, comparing them to the previous Release 3, BSRN, GEBA and PMEL surface measurements, and ERBE and CERES satellite datasets. For surface flux validation besides ensemble comparisons, we show the variability of SRB vs surface measurements from BSRN beginning in 1992 and GEBA SW from 1983. We assess the variability of the surface flux anomalies, particularly the net fluxes and the cloud radiative effects, over the entire time period including the period containing CERES overlap. For the TOA fluxes, the anomalies of the fluxes in the early period are compared to the MEaSURES ERBE and the latter period to CERES EBAF/SYN1Deg datasets for a benchmark. Long-term changes in the surface radiation budget components and cloud radiative effects are shown and discussed relative to CERES and surface measurements. This includes a change point analysis that helps associate various changes in the ISCCP GEO/LEO configurations and other inputs to variations in the radiative budget components.

Earth Radiation Budget↗

Empirical Study of Focus-Plus-Context and Aggregation Techniques for the Visualization of Streaming Data

Analysis of streaming data often involves both real-time monitoring of incoming data as well as contextual awareness of data history. A focus-plus-context approach can support both goals, with variable levels of visual aggregation making it possible to provide a high level of detail for incoming and recent data while providing contextual information about recent history. Visual aggregation reduces data resolution in order to show the context of data over large periods of time within a limited display space. With a controlled experiment, we evaluated the effectiveness of different types of aggregation for four types of stream-analysis tasks. Overall, the results show that a focus-plus-context design has little negative impact on the ability to successfully monitor and analyze streaming data, making it possible to show longer periods of time than other approaches. However, visual aggregation can be problematic for trend recognition tasks. This research demonstrates how the effectiveness of the visualization depends on the specifics of the analysis task.

Ragan, Eric↗