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At least 1,603 records · Page 89

Nickel Binding to the c-Src SH3 Domain Facilitates Crystallization

Introduction: Numerous X-ray crystal structures of the c-Src SH3 domain have provideda large sampling of atomic-level information for this important signaling domain. Multiple crystalforms have been reported, with variable crystal lattice contacts and chemical crystallizationconditions. Materials and Methods: We crystallized the c-Src SH3 domain in a crystallization buffercontaining NiCl2. Results: A unique crystal structure of the Src SH3 domain in the trigonal space group H32 isdetermined to 1.45 Å resolution. Crystal packing and anomalous scattering reveal that this crystalform is mediated by two ordered nickel ions provided by the crystallization buffer. Nickelcoordination occurs in a 2:2 stoichiometry, which dimerizes two SH3 domain monomers across apseudo-twofold rotation axis and involves the native N-terminal c-Src SH3 amino acid sequence, asurface-exposed histidine residue, and ordered water molecules. Discussion: This study provides an example of metal-mediated crystallization and metal binding byN-terminal protein residues, contrasting with the Amino-Terminal Copper and Nickel Binding(ATCUN) motif. Conclusion: Alternative avenues help widen the potential for future crystallography-based studiesof the c-Src SH3 domain.

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology↗

Chemical vapor deposition reactor

An improved chemical vapor deposition reactor is characterized by a vapor deposition chamber configured to substantially eliminate non-uniformities in films deposited on substrates by control of gas flow and removing gas phase reaction materials from the chamber. Uniformity in the thickness of films is produced by having reactive gases injected through multiple jets which are placed at uniformally distributed locations. Gas phase reaction materials are removed through an exhaust chimney which is positioned above the centrally located, heated pad or platform on which substrates are placed. A baffle is situated above the heated platform below the mouth of the chimney to prevent downdraft dispersion and scattering of gas phase reactant materials.

Chern, S. S.↗

Liquid hydrogen mass flow through a multiple orifice Joule-Thomson device

Liquid hydrogen mass flow rate, pressure drop, and temperature drop data were obtained for a number of multiple orifice Joule-Thomas devices known as visco jets. The present investigation continues a study to develop an equation for predicting two phase flow of cryogens through these devices. The test apparatus design allowed isenthalpic expansion of the cryogen through the visco jets. The data covered a range of inlet and outlet operating conditions. The mass flow rate range single phase or two phase was 0.015 to 0.98 lbm/hr. The manufacturer's equation was found to overpredict the single phase hydrogen data by 10 percent and the two phase data by as much as 27 percent. Two modifications of the equation resulted in a data correlation that predicts both the single and two phase flow across the visco jet. The first modification was of a theoretical nature, and the second strictly empirical. The former reduced the spread in the two phase data. It was a multiplication factor of 1 - X applied to the manufacturer's equation. The parameter X is the flow quality downstream of the visco jet based on isenthalpic expansion across the device. The latter modification was a 10 percent correction term that correlated 90 percent of the single and two phase data to within +/- 10 percent scatter band.

Papell, S. Stephen↗

Liquid hydrogen mass flow through a multiple orifice Joule-Thomson device

Liquid hydrogen mass flow rate, pressure drop, and temperature drop data were obtained for a number of multiple orifice Joule-Thomson devices known as visco jets. The present investigation continues a study to develop an equation for predicting two phase flow of cryogens through these devices. The test apparatus design allowed isenthalpic expansion of the cryogen through the visco jets. The data covered a range of inlet and outlet operating conditions. The mass flow rate range single phase or two phase was 0.015 to 0.98 lbm/hr. The manufacturer's equation was found to overpredict the single phase hydrogen data by 10 percent and the two phase data by as much as 27 percent. Two modifications of the equation resulted in a data correlation that predicts both the single and two phase flow across the visco jet. The first modification was of a theoretical nature, and the second strictly empirical. The former reduced the spread in the two phase data. It was a multiplication factor of 1-X applied to the manufacturer's equation. The parameter X is the flow quality downstream of the visco jet based on isenthalpic expansion across the device. The latter modification was a 10 percent correction term that correlated 90 percent of the single and two phase data to within +/- 10 percent scatter band.

Papell, S. S.↗

On the estimation of snow depth from microwave radiometric measurements

Multiple-channel microwave radiometric measurements made over Alaska at aircraft (near 90 and 183 GHz) and satellite (at 37 and 85 GHz) altitudes are used to study the effect of atmospheric absorption on the estimation of snow depth. The estimation is based on the radiative transfer calculations using an early theoretical model of Mie scattering of single-size particles. It is shown that the radiometric correction for the effect of atmospheric absorption is important even at 37 GHz for a reliable estimation of snow depth. Under a dry atmosphere and based on single-frequency radiometric measurements, the underestimation of snow depth could amount to 50 percent at 85 GHz and 20-30 percent at 37 GHz if the effect of atmospheric absorption is not taken into account. The snow depths estimated from the 90-GHz aircraft and 85-GHz satellite measurements are found to be in reasonable agreement. However, there is a discrepancy in the snow depths estimated from the 37-GHz (at both vertical and horizontal polarizations) and 85-GHz satellite measurements.

Wang, James R.↗

Bidirectional Reflectance of a Macroscopically Flat, High-Albedo Particulate Surface: An Efficient Radiative Transfer Solution and Applications to Regoliths

Many remote sensing applications rely on accurate knowledge of the bidirectional reflection function (BRF) of surfaces composed of discrete, randomly positioned scattering particles. Theoretical computations of BRFs for plane-parallel particulate layers are usually reduced to solving the radiative transfer equation (RTE) using one of existing exact or approximate techniques. Since semi-empirical approximate approaches are notorious for their low accuracy, violation of the energy conservation law, and ability to produce unphysical results, the use of numerically exact solutions of RTE has gained justified popularity. For example, the computation of BRFs for macroscopically flat particulate surfaces in many geophysical publications is based on the adding-doubling (AD) and discrete ordinate (DO) methods. A further saving of computer resources can be achieved by using a more efficient technique to solve the plane-parallel RTE than the AD and DO methods. Since many natural particulate surfaces can be well represented by the model of an optically semi-infinite, homogeneous scattering layer, one can find the BRF directly by solving the Ambartsumian's nonlinear integral equation using a simple iterative technique. In this way, the computation of the internal radiation field is avoided and the computer code becomes highly efficient and very accurate and compact. Furthermore, the BRF thus obtained fully obeys the fundamental physical laws of energy conservation and reciprocity. In this paper, we discuss numerical aspects and the computer implementation of this technique, examine the applicability of the Henyey-Greenstein phase function and the sigma-Eddington approximation in BRF and flux calculations, and describe sample applications demonstrating the potential effect of particle shape on the bidirectional reflectance of flat regolith surfaces. Although the effects of packing density and coherent backscattering are currently neglected, they can also be incorporated. The FORTRAN implementation of the technique is available on the World Wide Web, and can be applied to a wide range of remote sensing problems. BRF computations for undulated (macroscopically rough) surfaces are more complicated and often rely on time consuming Monte Carlo procedures. This approach is especially inefficient for optically thick, weakly absorbing media (e.g., snow and desert surfaces at visible wavelengths since a photon may undergo many internal scattering events before it exists the medium or is absorbed. However, undulated surfaces can often be represented as collections of locally flat tilted facets characterized by the BRF found from the traditional plane parallel RTE. In this way the MOnte Carlo procedure could be used only to evaluate the effects of surface shadowing and multiple surface reflections, thereby bypassing the time-consuming ray tracing inside the medium and providing a great savings of CPU time.

Mishchenko, Michael I.↗

Next-to-$\mathrm{MHV}$ Yang-Mills kinematic algebra

Kinematic numerators of Yang-Mills scattering amplitudes possess a rich Lie algebraic structure that suggest the existence of a hidden infinite-dimensional kinematic algebra. Explicitly realizing such a kinematic algebra is a longstanding open problem that only has had partial success for simple helicity sectors. In past work, we introduced a framework using tensor currents and fusion rules to generate BCJ numerators of a special subsector of NMHV amplitudes in Yang-Mills theory. Here we enlarge the scope and explicitly realize a kinematic algebra for all NMHV amplitudes. Master numerators are obtained directly from the algebraic rules and through commutators and kinematic Jacobi identities other numerators can be generated. Inspecting the output of the algebra, we conjecture a closed-form expression for the master BCJ numerator up to any multiplicity. We also introduce a new method, based on group algebra of the permutation group, to solve for the generalized gauge freedom of BCJ numerators. It uses the recently introduced binary BCJ relations to provide a complete set of NMHV kinematic numerators that consist of pure gauge.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Simultaneous reweighting of Transverse Momentum Dependent distributions

The Bayesian reweighting procedure is extended to the case of multiple independent extractions of transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs). By exploiting the data on transverse single spin asymmetries, A N , for inclusive pion production in polarized proton-proton collisions measured at RHIC, we perform a simultaneous reweighting of the quark Sivers, transversity and Collins TMD functions extracted from semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) and annihilation into hadron pairs. The impact of the implementation of the Soffer bound, as well as the differences between older and newer e + e - data, are investigated. The agreement with A N data at large-x F values, a kinematical region complementary to those explored in SIDIS measurements, is enhanced, improving the knowledge of the polarized quark TMDs in the large-x region.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Controlling the Fluctuating Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectra of Chloramben on Silver Nanocubes

Tip-enhanced Raman (TER) scattering from molecules residing at plasmonic junctions can be used to detect, identify, and image single molecules. This is most evident for flat molecules interrogated under extreme conditions of temperatures and pressure. It is also the case for (bio)molecular systems that feature preferred orientations/conformations under ambient laboratory conditions. More complex molecules that can adopt multiple conformations and/or that feature different protonation and/or charge states give rise to complex TER spectra. Here we illustrate how the latter can be controlled in the case of chloramben molecules coated onto plasmonic silver nanocubes. We show that characteristic molecular Raman spectra cannot be obtained when tunneling plasmons are operative, i.e., when the tip is in direct contact with the chemically functionalized plasmonic nanoparticles. We rationalize these observations and propose an approach to less invasive, and hence, more analytical TER spectral imaging.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

X-ray Irradiance Distribution for an Interferometer with a Curved Biprism Array

The development of interferometry-based X-ray phase contrast imaging systems that provide highly resolved X-rays with spatially-modulated intensity is enabling the full potential of X-ray optics to image phase, attenuation, and small angle scatter properties of soft tissue. In this work we present analytical formulations of a new hardware concept for X-ray phase contrast imaging wherein the phase grating is replaced with an array of Fresnel biprisms. We derive expressions for the irradiance distribution pattern of a biprism interferometer composed of a curved biprism array with multiple biprisms and multiple point sources. These expressions are used to plot fringe patterns for X-ray design parameters, including 1) size, number, and period of X-ray point sources; 2) biprism parameters of material composition, angle, number, and period; and 3) biprism array to X-ray source and detector distances. Analytical results show that the biprism interferometer provides a longitudinally-nonperiodic pattern of spatially modulated intensity different from the Talbot longitudinally-periodic pattern common in grating interferometry. The curvature of the biprism array brings a sharper longitudinal fringe pattern. Experiments are being performed to verify the analytical calculations for a biprism plastic material of SU-8 using a synchrotron source. X-ray biprism material has widely varied indexes of refraction relative to wavelength and thus the separation of the virtual sources and resulting interference fringe period also varies with X-ray wavelength. Our aim is to develop biprism interferometry imaging systems with excellent polychromatic performance that produce high-contrast fringes with spatially incoherent X-ray illumination. Biprism interferometry will potentially provide higher fringe visibility with better image quality to that of diffraction grating interferometry.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Design and Performance Analysis of a Conical Aerobrake Orbital Transfer Vehicle Concept

A Shuttle-compatible systems design based on the core concept of attachable modules for the major vehicle components is proposed. The principal features include a disposable cargo/extra-propellant tank module; a porous, radiative, back-scattering drag-brake surface material of thin silica cloth; and a lightweight carbon-composite support structure. The mission payload capability for delivery, retrieval, and combined operations is determined for a broad range of missions including NASA/DOD requirements and extending through cislunar space. The effects of finite-rate surface catalysis, negative lift, and multiple atmospheric passes in reducing the aerothermodynamic heating rates are also investigated. In addition, the structural and thermal protection problems of the drag-brake support apparatus are analyzed, and recommendations are proposed for future design refinements.

Menees, Gene P.↗

Coordinating an Autonomous Earth-Observing Sensorweb

A system of software has been developed to coordinate the operation of an autonomous Earth-observing sensorweb. Sensorwebs are collections of sensor units scattered over large regions to gather data on spatial and temporal patterns of physical, chemical, or biological phenomena in those regions. Each sensor unit is a node in a data-gathering/ data-communication network that spans a region of interest. In this case, the region is the entire Earth, and the sensorweb includes multiple terrestrial and spaceborne sensor units. In addition to acquiring data for scientific study, the sensorweb is required to give timely notice of volcanic eruptions, floods, and other hazardous natural events. In keeping with the inherently modular nature of the sensory, communication, and data-processing hardware, the software features a flexible, modular architecture that facilitates expansion of the network, customization of conditions that trigger alarms of hazardous natural events, and customization of responses to alarms. The soft8 NASA Tech Briefs, July 2006 ware facilitates access to multiple sources of data on an event of scientific interest, enables coordinated use of multiple sensors in rapid reaction to detection of an event, and facilitates the tracking of spacecraft operations, including tracking of the acquisition, processing, and downlinking of requested data.

Sherwood, Robert↗

Evaluating Multispectral Snowpack Reflectivity With Changing Snow Correlation Lengths

This study investigates the sensitivity of multispectral reflectivity to changing snow correlation lengths. Matzler's ice-lamellae radiative transfer model was implemented and tested to evaluate the reflectivity of snow correlation lengths at multiple frequencies from the ultraviolet (UV) to the microwave bands. The model reveals that, in the UV to infrared (IR) frequency range, the reflectivity and correlation length are inversely related, whereas reflectivity increases with snow correlation length in the microwave frequency range. The model further shows that the reflectivity behavior can be mainly attributed to scattering rather than absorption for shallow snowpacks. The largest scattering coefficients and reflectivity occur at very small correlation lengths (approximately 10(exp -5 m) for frequencies higher than the IR band. In the microwave range, the largest scattering coefficients are found at millimeter wavelengths. For validation purposes, the ice-lamella model is coupled with a multilayer snow physics model to characterize the reflectivity response of realistic snow hydrological processes. The evolution of the coupled model simulated reflectivities in both the visible and the microwave bands is consistent with satellite-based reflectivity observations in the same frequencies. The model results are also compared with colocated in situ snow correlation length measurements (Cold Land Processes Field Experiment 2002-2003). The analysis and evaluation of model results indicate that the coupled multifrequency radiative transfer and snow hydrology modeling system can be used as a forward operator in a data-assimilation framework to predict the status of snow physical properties, including snow correlation length.

Kang, Do Hyuk↗

Wormhole as a waveguide for non-relativistic quantum particles

Herein we consider a static wormhole as a waveguide and determine the conditions for full transmission through the wormhole waveguide for a quantum particle satisfying Schrodinger equation. We find that the waveguide is transparent when the angular momentum L of the quantum particle is 0 and for $L\ne 0$ when the de Broglie wavelength of the quantum particle is a multiple depending on the inverse of the angular momentum times the throat radius of the wormhole.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Ultrafast X-Ray Scattering Reveals Composite Amplitude Collective Mode in the Weyl Charge Density Wave Material ( TaSe 4 ) 2 I

Here we report ultrafast x-ray scattering experiments of the quasi-1D charge density wave (CDW) material (TaSe 4 ) 2⁢ I following ultrafast infrared photoexcitation. From the time-dependent diffraction signal at the CDW sidebands we identify a 0.11 THz amplitude mode derived primarily from a transverse acoustic mode of the high-symmetry structure. From our measurements we determine that this mode interacts with the valence charge indirectly through another collective mode, and that the CDW system in (TaSe 4 ) 2 ⁢I has a composite nature supporting multiple dynamically active structural degrees of freedom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Plasmonically assisted channels of photoemission from metals

We analyze recently measured nonlinear photoemission spectra from Ag surfaces that reveal resonances whose energies do not scale with the applied photon energy but stay pinned to multiples of bulk plasmon energy $\hbar$ω p above the Fermi level. To elucidate these unexpected and peculiar features we investigate the spectra of plasmons generated in a solid by the optically pumped electronic polarization and their effect on photoemission. By combining quadratic response formalism for calculations of photoemission yield, a nonperturbative approach to inelastic electron scattering, and first-principles calculations for the electronic structure, we demonstrate the dependence of probability amplitude for single- and multiplasmon excitations on the basic parameters characterizing the photon pulse and the system. The resulting multiexcitation spectrum evolves towards a truncated plasmonic coherent state. Analogous concept is extrapolated to interpret plasmon generation by multiphoton excited electronic polarization. Based on this we elaborate a scenario that the thus created real plasmons act as supplementary frequency-locked pump field for non-Einsteinian plasmonically assisted channels of photoemission from metals. The established paradigm enables assignment and assessment of the observed linear $\hbar$ω p and nonlinear 2$\hbar$ω p electron yields from Ag. Such effects may be exploited for selective filtering of optical energy conversion in electronic systems.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Developments in Performance and Portability for MadGraph5_aMC@NLO

Event generators simulate particle interactions using Monte Carlo techniques, providing the primary connection between experiment and theory in experimental high energy physics. These software packages, which are the first step in the simulation worflow of collider experiments, represent approximately 5 to 20% of the annual WLCG usage for the ATLAS and CMS experiments. With computing architectures becoming more heterogeneous, it is important to ensure that these key software frameworks can be run on future systems, large and small. In this contribution, recent progress on porting and speeding up the Madgraph5_aMC@NLO event generator on hybrid architectures, i.e. CPU with GPU accelerators, is discussed. The main focus of this work has been in the calculation of scattering amplitudes and "matrix elements", which is the computational bottleneck of an event generation application. For physics processes limited to QCD leading order, the code generation toolkit has been expanded to produce matrix element calculations using C++ vector instructions on CPUs and using CUDA for NVidia GPUs, as well as using Alpaka, Kokkos and SYCL for multiple CPU and GPU architectures. Performance is reported in terms of matrix element calculations per time on NVidia, Intel, and AMD devices. The status and outlook for the integration of this work into a production release usable by the LHC experiments, with the same functionalities and very similar user interfaces as the current Fortran version, is also described.

Valassi, Andrea↗

Improvements in the Sample Space for the Backscattering Silicon Spectrometer (BASIS)

The increase in neutron flux at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), currently operating at 2.0 MW proton beam power, has created new opportunities for higher-throughput neutron scattering experiments while also increasing the importance of minimizing background scattering and optimizing sample-environment operations. To address these challenges on the Backscattering Silicon Spectrometer (BA-SIS), several upgrades were developed and evaluated, including boron carbide (B₄C) masking for flat-plate sample containers, multi-cell sample holders used with a vertically translating sample stick, and an automated helium pump and purge (HPP) system for closed-cycle refrigerators. Neutron diffraction measurements demonstrate that B₄C masks reduce background scattering by 49–67%, outperforming both borated aluminum and boron nitride masks while introducing no additional Bragg reflections within the instrument’s accessible Q-range. Commissioning tests of a double-cell flat-plate sample contain-er showed no measurable crosstalk between adjacent sample compartments and con-firmed stable thermal performance, enabling multiple samples to be measured without re-peated temperature cycling. In addition, the automated HPP system provided reproducible sample-space gas handling with approximately ±1 mbar precision while reducing the need for operator intervention and supporting remote operation. Together, these developments improve signal-to-noise performance, increase experimental throughput, and enhance operational efficiency at BASIS, supporting the instrument’s continued operation under higher neutron flux conditions.

Jalarvo, Niina [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000306446866)↗