Authors discuss their use of a distributed and decentralized architecture to store the statistics, perform double hashing, and implement access control through smart contracts to forecast groundwater availability. Their work demonstrates a modern and innovative approach combining Distributed Data Storage and Blockchain technologies to overcome traditional data sharing, and centralized storage, while addressing blockchain limitations.

Article provides a general reweighting framework based on anisotropic diffusion maps for manifold learning that takes into account that the learning data set is sampled from a biased probability distribution. The authors show that their proposed framework can be used in many manifold learning techniques on data from both standard and enhanced sampling simulations.

Article about shops, music performances, and events around Austin, Texas in November of 2005.

This article presents a study that aims to identify strategies for using video-based social media to combat stigmatized diseases, such as mental health, among college students. The authors identify effective strategies for designing video-based social media content for supporting college students’ mental health. Results show that the videos where individuals share their personal stories, as well as experiential knowledge (ie, tips and advice), engaged more viewers in both the short term and long term. Individuals’ videos on YouTube showed the potential to support college students' mental health in unique ways, such as providing social support, validating experience, and sharing the positive experience of help-seeking.

Two points in our recent article on Edward Teller's scientific life (Physics Today, August 2004, page 45) require correction. In our description of Teller's students, we incorrectly stated that Arthur Kantrowitz's thesis was on the generation of hypersonic molecular beams. Actually, his thesis was on heat capacity lags in gas dynamics. Kantrowitz's invention of high intensity sources for molecular beams came later in his career. Maurice Goldhaber has emphasized that the situation with respect to possible nuclear resonances in ({gamma},n) or ({gamma},fission) reactions was quite unclear at the time of George C. Baldwin and G. Stanley Klaiber's papers on these reactions. This was because the rapid rise of their yield to a prominent peak with increasing energy, followed by a slower fall off was then thought to have been due to the competition between the rapidly rising density of nuclear states and the eventual domination of other reaction channels at higher energies. Goldhaber realized, however, that there could be an analogy between a possible collective nuclear resonance and the restrahl resonance (essentially the transverse optical phonon mode) in polar crystals. Goldhaber sought out Teller because of his paper with Russell Lyddane and Robert Sachs, relating the restrahl frequency to the …

Radiative corrections to the decay rate of n = 2 states of hydrogenic ions are calculated. The transitions considered are the M1 decay of the 2s state to the ground state and the E1(M2) decays of the 2p{sub 1/2} and 2p{sub 3/2} states to the ground state. The radiative corrections start in order {alpha}(Z{alpha}){sup 2}, but the method used sums all orders of Z{alpha}. The leading {alpha}(Z{alpha}){sup 2} correction for the E1 decays is calculated and compared with the exact result. The extension of the calculational method to parity nonconserving transitions in neutral atoms is discussed.

The radiocarbon calibration curve, IntCal04, extends back to 26 cal kBP. While several high resolution records exist beyond this limit, these data sets exhibit discrepancies one to another of up to several millennia. As a result, no calibration curve for the time range 26-50 cal kBP can be recommended as yet, but in this paper the IntCal04 working group compares the available data sets and offers a discussion of the information that they hold.

We demonstrate single-shot x-ray laser induced time-of-flight photoelectron spectroscopy on semiconductor and metal surfaces with picosecond time resolution. The LLNL COMET compact tabletop x-ray laser source provides the necessary high photon flux (>10{sup 12}/pulse), monochromaticity, picosecond pulse duration, and coherence for probing ultrafast changes in the city, chemical and electronic structure of these materials. Static valence band and shallow core-level photoemission spectra are presented for ambient temperature Ge(100) and polycrystalline Cu foils. Surface contamination was removed by UV ozone cleaning prior to analysis. In addition, the ultrafast nature of this technique lends itself to true single-state measurements of shocked and heated materials. Time-resolved electron time-of-flight photoemission results for ultra-thin Cu will be presented.

The first experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) have employed the first four beams to measure propagation and laser backscattering losses in large ignition-size plasmas. Gas-filled targets between 2 mm and 7 mm length have been heated from one side by overlapping the focal spots of the four beams from one quad operated at 351 nm (3{omega}) with a total intensity of 2 x 10{sup 15} W cm{sup -2}. The targets were filled with 1 atm of CO{sub 2} producing of up to 7 mm long homogeneously heated plasmas with densities of n{sub e} = 6 x 10{sup 20} cm{sup -3} and temperatures of T{sub e} = 2 keV. The high energy in a NIF quad of beams of 16kJ, illuminating the target from one direction, creates unique conditions for the study of laser plasma interactions at scale lengths not previously accessible. The propagation through the large-scale plasma was measured with a gated x-ray imager that was filtered for 3.5 keV x rays. These data indicate that the beams interact with the full length of this ignition-scale plasma during the last {approx}1 ns of the experiment. During that time, the full aperture measurements of the stimulated Brillouin scattering and …

Time Resolved X-Ray Diffraction (TRXRD) experiments were used to directly observe phase transformations occurring during gas tungsten arc spot welding of Ti-6Al-4V. These in-situ x-ray diffraction experiments tracked the evolution of the {alpha} {yields} {beta} {yields} L {yields} {beta} {yields} {alpha}/{alpha}{prime} phase transformation sequence in real time during rapid weld heating and cooling. Three different weld locations were examined, providing kinetic information about phase transformations in the fusion zone (FZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ) under different heating and cooling rates and at different temperatures. The TRXRD data were further coupled with the results of thermodynamic calculations of phase equilibria and numerical modeling to compute the weld temperatures. The results suggest that significant superheat is required above the {beta} transus temperature to complete the {alpha} {yields} {beta} transformation at all locations during weld heating, and that the amount of superheat decreases with distance from the center of the weld where the heating rates are lower. Johnson-Mehl-Avrami modeling of the weld heating kinetics produced a set of parameters that allowed the prediction of the {alpha} {yields} {beta} phase transformation rate at each location, but were not successful in determining a definitive mechanism for the transformation. The {beta} {yields} {alpha} transformation during …

We present the results of a study in which we reduced the calculated intrinsic radiation asymmetry of a particular indirectly-driven cryogenic DT ignition target design through a series of two-dimensional and three-dimensional radiation hydrodynamic calculations of the integrated hohlraum/capsule system. We reduced the amplitude of the time-dependent P{sub 2} Legendre mode of the radiation flux onto the capsule by adjusting the beam pointing and changing the amount of laser power in the outer cone of beams relative to that in the inner cone of beams. In addition, we reduced the amplitude of a significant Y{sub 44} mode that peaks early in time by adjusting the relative pointing of the 23.5 and 30 inner cone beams.

We present results from an investigation into the stability of underground structures in response to explosive loading. Field tests indicate that structural response can be dominated by the effect of preexisting fractures and faults in the rock mass. Consequently, accurate models of underground structures must take into account deformations across fractures and not simply within the intact portions of the rock mass. The distinct element method (DEM) is naturally suited to simulating such systems because it can explicitly accommodate the blocky nature of natural rock masses. We will discuss details specific to our implementation of the DEM and summarize recent results.

Previously, we reported preliminary results for commercial thin borosilicate glass sheets evaluated for use as a frequently-replaced optic to separate the radiation and contamination produced by the inertial confinement fusion experiments in the National Ignition Facility target chamber from the expensive precision laser optics which focus and shape the 351-nm laser beam. The goal is identification of low cost substrates that can deliver acceptable beam energy and focal spots to the target. The two parameters that dominate the transmitted beam quality are the transmitted wave front error and 351-nm absorption. Commercial materials and fabrication processes have now been identified which meet the beam energy and focus requirements for all of the missions planned for the National Ignition Facility. We present the first data for use of such an optic on the National Ignition Facility laser.

The axion is a hypothetical elementary particle and cold dark matter candidate. In this RF cavity experiment, halo axions entering a resonant cavity immersed in a static magnetic field convert into microwave photons, with the resulting photons detected by a low-noise receiver. The ADMX Collaboration presents new limits on the axion-to-photon coupling and local axion dark matter halo mass density from a RF cavity axion search in the axion mass range 1.9-2.3 {micro}eV, broadening the search range to 1.9-3.3 {micro}eV. In addition, we report first results from an improved analysis technique.

The challenges of modern complicated systems regarding their design, analysis, and management are put in a historical context to better propose a framework for the future involving complementary uses of testing, modeling, and performance functions.

High-energy-density (HED) physics refers broadly to the study of macroscopic collections of matter under extreme conditions of temperature and density. The experimental facilities most widely used for these studies are high-power lasers and magnetic-pinch generators. The HED physics pursued on these facilities is still in its infancy, yet new regimes of experimental science are emerging. Examples from astrophysics include work relevant to planetary interiors, supernovae, astrophysical jets, and accreting compact objects (such as neutron stars and black holes). In this paper, we will review a selection of recent results in this new field of HED laboratory astrophysics and provide a brief look ahead to the coming decade.

We have constructed an experimental apparatus for the synthesis (via pulsed laser deposition) and analysis of nanoparticles and thin films of plutonium and other actinides. In-situ analysis techniques include x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Also, the oxidation kinetics and the reaction kinetics of actinides with other gaseous species can be studied with this experimental apparatus. Preliminary results on depleted uranium are presented.

As part of work in the US on free flowing liquid surfaces facing the plasma, we are studying issues of integrating a liquid surface divertor into a configuration based upon an advanced tokamak (ARIES-RS). The simplest form of such a divertor is to extend the flow of the liquid first wall and avoid introducing any separate fluid streams. A design and some of the issues in design integration are presented for a divertor (and first wall) with the molten salt Flinabe, a mixture of lithium and sodium fluorides. Thermal performance and the interactions with the plasma edge are treated. Sn and Sn-Li have also been considered, although the complicated 3-D MHD flows cannot yet be fully modeled.

The APEX study is investigating the use of free flowing liquid surfaces to form the inner surface of the chamber around a fusion plasma. We present a design for the chamber of a 3840MW fusion reactor based on the configuration for the chamber and magnets from ARIESRS but with a fast flowing molten salt of mixed Be, Li and Na fluorides for the first wall and divertor and molten salt blanket with a ferritic steel structure. Our design analysis includes strong radiation from the core and edge plasma, (liquid) MHD effects on the weakly conducting molten salt, a recycling first wall stream that enables a high efficiency thermal conversion, and evaluations of breeding, neutronics, tritium recovery and safety.

Magnet technology for fusion in the last decade has been focusing mostly on the development of magnets for tokamaks--the most advanced fusion concept at the moment. The largest and the most complex tokamak under development is ITER. To demonstrate adequate design approaches to large magnets for ITER and to develop industrial capabilities, two large model coils and three insert coils, all using full-scale conductor, were built and tested by the international collaboration during 1994-2002. The status of the magnet technology and directions of future developments are discussed in this paper.

Three tests were conducted on 2.4 meter by 2.4 meter steel frames infilled with structural clay tile to determine the behavior and capacity when subjected to uniform lateral loads. An air bag was used to apply the out-of-plane loads. The walls were subjected to increasing load-unload cycles until virtual destruction of the infill. Cracking in the mortar joints occurred early in the tests, and then the primary load resisting mechanism was arching of the infilled panel. Typically, vertical arching occurred until failure of the top and bottom course tiles. Following failure of these courses, horizontal arching developed enabling the walls to maintain stability.

We have performed a safety assessment of mercury and lead as possible hohlraum materials for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) targets, including for the first time a comparative analysis of the radiological and toxicological consequences of an accidental release. In order to calculate accident doses to the public, we have distinguished between accidents at the target fabrication facility and accidents at other areas of the power plant. Regarding the chemical toxicity assessment, we have used the USDOE regulations to determine the maximum allowable release in order to protect the public from adverse health effects. Opposite to common belief, it has been found that the chemical safety requirements for these materials appear to be more stringent than the concentrations that would result in an acceptable radiological dose.

This article reviews some recent materials analysis results using high-energy positron beams at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. We are combining positron lifetime and orbital electron momentum spectroscopic methods to provide electron number densities and electron momentum distributions around positron annihilation sites. Topics covered include: correlation of positron annihilation characteristics with structural and mechanical properties of bulk metallic glasses, compositional studies of embrittling features in nuclear reactor pressure vessel steel, pore characterization in Zeolites, and positron annihilation characteristics in alkali halides.

This paper is a status report on the ADVANCED LIGHT SOURCE (ALS) control system. The current status, performance data, and future plans will be discussed. Manpower, scheduling, and costs issues are addressed.