Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “centrality measures”

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 19 records

Generating Dominating Sets Using Locally Defined Centrality Measures

The dominating set problem has many practical applications but is well-known to be NP-hard. Therefore, there is a need for efficient heuristic algorithms, especially in applications such as ad hoc wireless networks. Most distributed algorithms proposed in the literature assume that each node has knowledge of the network structure. We propose a distributed heuristic algorithm that uses two rounds of communication, and where each node has only local information, both in terms of network structure and dominating set assignment. First, each node calculates a local centrality measure to determine whether it is part of the dominating set D. The second round guarantees D is a dominating set by adding any non-dominated nodes. We compare several centrality measures and show that the Shapley centrality, derived from the Shapley value in game theory, is theoretically motivated and performs well in practice on several synthetic and real-world networks.

Network↗

SO2 over Central China: Measurements, Numerical Simulations and the Tropospheric Sulfur Budget

SO2 in central China was measured in situ from an aircraft and remotely using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) from the Aura satellite; results were used to develop a numerical tool for evaluating the tropospheric sulfur budget - sources, sinks, transformation and transport. In April 2008, measured ambient SO2 concentrations decreased from approx.7 ppbv near the surface to approx. 1 ppbv at 1800 m altitude (an effective scale height of approx.800 m), but distinct SO2 plumes were observed between 1800 and 4500 m, the aircraft's ceiling. These free tropospheric plumes play a major role in the export of SO2 and in the accuracy of OMI retrievals. The mean SO2 column contents from aircraft measurements (0.73 DU, Dobson Units) and operational OMI SO2 products (0.63+/-0.26 DU) were close. The OMI retrievals were well correlated with in situ measurements (r = 0.84), but showed low bias (slope = 0.54). A new OMI retrieval algorithm was tested and showed improved agreement and bias (r = 0.87, slope = 0.86). The Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was used to simulate sulfur chemistry, exhibiting reasonable agreement (r = 0.62, slope = 1.33) with in situ SO2 columns. The mean CMAQ SO2 loading over central and eastern China was 54 kT, approx.30% more than the estimate from OMI SO2 products, 42 kT. These numerical simulations, constrained by observations, indicate that ",50% (35 to 61 %) of the anthropogenic sulfur emissions were transported downwind, and the overall lifetime of tropospheric SO2 was 38+/-7 h.

He, Hao↗

Noninvasive measurement of central venous pressure

A technique for the noninvasive measurement of CVP in man was developed. The method involves monitoring venous velocity at a point in the periphery with a transcutaneous Doppler ultrasonic velocity meter while the patient performs a forced expiratory maneuver. The idea is the CVP is related to the value of pressure measured at the mouth which just stops the flow in the vein. Two improvements were made over the original procedure. First, the site of venous velocity measurement was shifted from a vein at the antecubital fossa (elbow) to the right external jugular vein in the neck. This allows for sensing more readily events occurring in the central veins. Secondly, and perhaps most significantly, a procedure for obtaining a curve of relative mean venous velocity vs mouth pressure was developed.

Webster, J. G.↗

Human Systems Risk Network - A Ranking Analysis of Risks

INTRODUCTION The Human Systems Risk Board (HSRB) is responsible for understanding, managing, and mitigating the risks associated with spaceflight. For a particular mission, the HSRB assigns each human system risk a rating on a 5x5 grid assessing its likelihood and consequence, which is ultimately used to compare and rank the risks. The HSRB approaches risk management by primarily establishing the context of each human system risk individually with the understanding that mitigating one risk might affect the likelihood, consequence, and mitigation approaches of another. To support this effort the HSRB, subject matter experts, and risk custodian teams created directed acyclic graphs (DAG), often called a causal graph, for the twenty-nine risks. In this presentation, we propose a new ranking algorithm for the risks which includes the downstream influence of each risk according to the information in the DAGs and provide an application of graph theoretic tools. METHODS In 2014, Mindock and Klaus proposed a taxonomy for human system risk influences which we have adopted to categorize the nodes in each DAG. Analyzing the nodes that correspond to the risks in this taxonomy allows us to analyze and understand how each risk influences the others. We construct an auxiliary network, which we call the Primary Risk Network (PRN), where the nodes are the twenty-nine space flight risks and, a directed edge connects Risk A to Risk B if Risk A has some influence on the likelihood or consequence of Risk B as described in the DAGS. We perform a variety of graph theoretic ranking methods on the nodes (or risks) in the PRN, including Katz centrality. RESULTS We rank the nodes in the PRN using the Katz centrality score. The ten risks with the highest score are pictured in Figure 1, colored (light to dark) according to their score. We analyze other centrality measures like betweenness centrality, eigenvector centrality, and the Estrada index, and provide the meaning of the corresponding rankings in terms of the risks. Future work includes analyzing the other categories in the taxonomy defined by Mindock and Klaus [1]. For example, we are interested in analyzing the nodes that are labeled as countermeasures or capabilities and perform similar analysis to measure their effect on certain medical conditions.

dag↗

Preliminary results of MARECS-A measurements in Central Maryland and plans for 1988 MSS experiment in Australia

Past and future efforts are described, using L Band (1.5 GHz) satellite signals for mobile satellite system (MSS) propagation measurements. Preliminary results from the December 1987 campaign in Central Maryland with the Atlantic Ocean MARECS satellite are given. The fade level statistics from this 22 degree elevation source are consistent with helicopter measurements made along the same roads. The day to day repeatability of the fade probabilities is shown to be usually better than about 20 percent. An experiment plan is presented for measurements using the Experimental Test Satellite-V's (ETS-V's) southern beam. These measurements will be made in Australia in collaboration with Australia's National Satellite System (AUSSAT) during the July/August 1988 time-frame.

Vogel, Wolfhard J.↗

Crustal deformation measurements in central Japan determined by a Global Positioning System fixed-point network

Results are presented from temporally dense measurements of crustal deformation associated with the convergence of the Eurasian (EUR), Pacific, North American, and Philippine Sea (PHS) plates, carried out in April 1988 by a 10-station GPS fixed-point network established in central Japan. Using regional orbit relaxation methods, the analysis of the first 17-month data revealed significant horizontal deformation across the Suruga trough. Namely, it was found that a site in the northern tip of PHS plate moved nearly westward with a velocity of 28 +/-5 mm per year, and a site at the southeastern tip of EUR plate moved south-southwestward with a velocity of 18 +/-5 mm per year. A significant vertical uplift with a velocity of 20 mm/yr was detected at a site inland of the Tokai district located in the Akaishi uplift zone and at a site on the Hatsushima Island in Sagami Bay.

Shimada, Seiichi↗

Methods for Determining Subsets of High Impact, Probabilistically Dependent Medical Conditions Represented in a Directed Graph

One of the longest standing questions in network theory is how a component influences other parts in the system, and how that role is affected when restricting the navigation through the network. The Katz score, one of many centrality measures created for this purpose, takes into account all possible walks through the network, penalizing each additional step in a walk by a scalar called the Katz parameter. This centrality measure often covers an infinite number of walks with infinite length. In this paper we identify the maximum path length which has influence on the Katz score. We ultimately provide guidance when deciding which Katz parameter to use as it depends on the path length of interest. We show how changing the Katz parameter affects the ranking of the vertices in some synthetic graphs as well as NASA's expert informed network of medical dependencies called the Susceptibility Inference Network (SIN).

Hunter Rehm↗

Indirect Phase Height Measurements in Central and Eastern Europe for Monitoring D Region Plasma

Low-frequency propagation experiments for the investigation of the lower part of the ionospheric D region were at first used by BRACEWELL et al. (1951) in the early fifties. Among these was the method of indirect phase height measurements for continuous monitoring of the lower ionosphere. It is based upon field strength measurements of commercial radio transmitters in the frequency range between 50 and 200 kHz at distances from 500 to 1500 km. The field strength records show characteristic diurnal variations with maxima and minima, produced by interference between the ground wave and the ionospherically reflected sky wave, the phase difference between varies in correspondence to the diurnal variation of the reflection height. In order to check the validity of interpretations of indirect phase height data, comparisons were made with simultaneous rocket soundings. Results are summarized.

Cossart, G. V.↗

Measurement of central venous pressure and determination of hormones in blood serum during weightlessness

A Spacelab experiment is described which proposes to obtain data on the degree of engorgement of the cephalad circulation during weightlessness by recording central venous pressure. Of practical importance is the question of how close the astronauts are to pulmonary edema and whether the pressure falls toward normal during the time of the mission. Another experiment to investigate deviations from normal fluid and mineral metabolism, possibly initiated by the central engorgement of the low pressure system, is discussed. Hormones responsible for the control of water and mineral balance (vasopressin, catecholamines, renin, aldosterone, corticosteroids, and prostaglandin E1) will be analyzed from blood samples.

Kirsch, K.↗

Evidence for central venous pressure resetting during initial exposure to microgravity

We measured central venous pressure (CVP); plasma volume (PV); urine volume rate (UVR); renal excretion of sodium (UNa); and renal clearances of creatinine, sodium, and osmolality before and after acute volume infusion to test the hypothesis that exposure to microgravity causes resetting of the CVP operating point. Six rhesus monkeys underwent two experimental conditions in a crossover counterbalance design: 1) continuous exposure to 10 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) and 2) a control, defined as 16 h/day of 80 degrees head-up tilt and 8 h prone. After 48 h of exposure to either test condition, a 120-min course of continuous infusion of isotonic saline (0.4 ml. kg(-1). min(-1) iv) was administered. Baseline CVP was lower (P = 0.011) in HDT (2.3 +/- 0.3 mmHg) compared with the control (4.5 +/- 1.4 mmHg) condition. After 2 h of saline infusion, CVP was elevated (P = 0.002) to a similar magnitude (P = 0.485) in HDT (DeltaCVP = 2.7 +/- 0.8 mmHg) and control (DeltaCVP = 2.3 +/- 0.8 mmHg) conditions and returned to preinfusion levels 18 h postinfusion in both treatments. PV followed the same pattern as CVP. The response relationships between CVP and UVR and between CVP and UNa shifted to the left with HDT. The restoration of CVP and PV to lower preinfusion levels after volume loading in HDT compared with control supports the notion that lower CVP during HDT may reflect a new operating point about which vascular volume is regulated. These results may explain the ineffective fluid intake procedures currently employed to treat patients and astronauts.

NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary↗

Determining the Most Influencing Medical Conditions in MEDPRAT’s SIN Directed Graph

INTRODUCTION: The Susceptibility Inference Network (SIN) is a network of medical conditions, part of the Medical Extensible Probabilistic Risk Assessment Tool (MEDPRAT) developed by NASA to assess human health and medical risk to space exploration missions. The SIN is subject matter expert informed and acts as a prototype that provides relationships and dependencies between events modeled by MEDPRAT. Each vertex in the SIN has a weight which evaluates the severity of having the condition regardless of the progression from or to that condition. In this presentation, we consider two statistics to measure that stand alone risk: Quality Time Lost (QTL) and Loss of Crew Life (LOCL). Our goal is to identify the medical conditions that contribute the most to crew members QTL and LOCL risks due to progression of conditions in the network. We investigate how different computation parameters result in different condition rankings and address the choice of parameters that allows appropriate interventions to ensure space mission success. METHODS: The Katz score, one of many centrality measures created for ranking purposes in network analysis, takes into account all possible walks through the network, penalizing each additional step in a walk by a factor α called the Katz parameter. The literature does not provide specific values for the choice of α. We derive an analytical relationship between α and the maximum path length which has influence on the Katz score and ranking. Based on the probability of progression of each condition in the SIN, we identify that maximum path length of interest and calculate α that is then used in the Katz formula to rank the conditions in the SIN. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The effective probabilities of the SIN matrix generally fall below 10−6, which is below the level of the least influencing condition in the set. This corresponds to the probability of at most six consecutive progressions of a condition. Consequently, we calculate the Katz Parameter α and get 0.32. We rank the medical conditions and find that Acute Radiation Symptom is the condition the most prone to contribute to quality time loss due to progression.

risk analysis↗

Turbulent two-dimensional jet flow and its effect on laser beam degradation

An experiment in which visible wavelength lasers traversed a well-documented two dimensional jet was conducted. Temperature perturbations varied from 0.25 to 1.80 K and velocity fluctuations ranged from 9.2 to 30.8 m/sec. Measured central spot intensities were as low as 18% of the undisturbed beam, depending on jet Mach number, beam position theory and experiment was two percent in terms of far field intensity. To supplement the flow field information, a laser Doppler velocimeter was developed to measure both mean and fluctuating velocities and a photo correlator was used as a signal processor.

Catalano, G. D.↗

Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera imaging of the gravitational lens 2237 + 0305

Images of the gravitational lens system 2237 + 0305, taken with the HST Wide Field Camera, are analyzed. Positions for the four quasar images, accurate to +/-0.015 arcsec, and relative magnitudes in U and R, accurate to +/-0.06 and 0.04 mag, respectively, are determined. The upper limits on the observed brightness of the fifth image are found to be less than or approximately equal to 7 percent of the brightest quasar image. The mass of the lens inside 0.9 arcsec is found to be 1.08 +/-0.02 x 10 exp 10 solar masses/h100 corresponding to a mass-to-light ratio in B of 12.3h100. This solar mass/solar luminosity estimate agrees with values obtained from stellar dynamics for other elliptical galaxies. A comparison of predictions from this mass model with the measured central velocity dispersion yields a distance-independent agreement to within 10 percent, assuming isotropic velocity dispersions.

Rix, Hans-Walter↗

Impact Cratering Calculations

Many Martian craters are surrounded by ejecta blankets which appear to have been fluidized forming lobate and layered deposits terminated by one or more continuous distal scarps, or ramparts. One of the first hypotheses for the formation of so-called rampart ejecta features was shock-melting of subsurface ice, entrainment of liquid water into the ejecta blanket, and subsequent fluidized flow. Our work quantifies this concept. Rampart ejecta found on all but the youngest volcanic and polar regions, and the different rampart ejecta morphologies are correlated with crater size and terrain. In addition, the minimum diameter of craters with rampart features decreases with increasing latitude indicating that ice laden crust resides closer to the surface as one goes poleward on Mars. Our second goal in was to determine what strength model(s) reproduce the faults and complex features found in large scale gravity driven craters. Collapse features found in large scale craters require that the rock strength weaken as a result of the shock processing of rock and the later cratering shear flows. In addition to the presence of molten silicate in the intensely shocked region, the presence of water, either ambient, or the result of shock melting of ice weakens rock. There are several other mechanisms for the reduction of strength in geologic materials including dynamic tensile and shear induced fracturing. Fracturing is a mechanism for large reductions in strength. We found that by incorporating damage into the models that we could in a single integrated impact calculation, starting in the atmosphere produce final crater profiles having the major features found in the field measurements (central uplifts, inner ring, terracing and faulting). This was accomplished with undamaged surface strengths (0.1 GPa) and in depth strengths (1.0 GPa).

Ahrens, Thomas J.↗

Ground System Architectures Workshop GMSEC SERVICES SUITE (GSS): an Agile Development Story

The GMSEC (Goddard Mission Services Evolution Center) Services Suite (GSS) is a collection of tools and software services along with a robust customizable web-based portal that enables the user to capture, monitor, report, and analyze system-wide GMSEC data. Given our plug-and-play architecture and the needs for rapid system development, we opted to follow the Scrum Agile Methodology for software development. Being one of the first few projects to implement the Agile methodology at NASA GSFC, in this presentation we will present our approaches, tools, successes, and challenges in implementing this methodology. The GMSEC architecture provides a scalable, extensible ground and flight system for existing and future missions. GMSEC comes with a robust Application Programming Interface (GMSEC API) and a core set of Java-based GMSEC components that facilitate the development of a GMSEC-based ground system. Over the past few years, we have seen an upbeat in the number of customers who are moving from a native desktop application environment to a web based environment particularly for data monitoring and analysis. We also see a need to provide separation of the business logic from the GUI display for our Java-based components and also to consolidate all the GUI displays into one interface. This combination of separation and consolidation brings immediate value to a GMSEC-based ground system through increased ease of data access via a uniform interface, built-in security measures, centralized configuration management, and ease of feature extensibility.

Software Development/Agile↗

Airborne Doppler measurements of the central California extended sea breeze

One data acquisition flight was executed in the late summer of 1984. The flight paths were designed to obtain measurements of the extended sea breeze penetration into the central valley of California over several hours. Data from this flight are being processed at Marshall Space Flight Center prior to release for analysis.

Carroll, J. J.↗