A Custom Rideshare Payload Adapter for Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Microsatellites Launched in Tandem

The steep rise in the effects of climate change has opened new opportunities in space-based monitoring of greenhouse gases (GHG). The Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) is currently developing GHGSat-C3/C4/C5, a group of three Earth observation microsatellites to increase the GHGSat constellation’s emissions monitoring capabilities. Each microsatellite is deployed into orbit with the XPOD Delta, a spacecraft dispenser developed at SFL. This paper outlines the design of an XPOD Adapter for Launch in Tandem (XALT) to mount three GHGSat satellites on a SpaceX Rideshare launch. The driving requirements are presented along with XALT’s key design features, including provisions for ground support equipment. Finite element analysis was performed to confirm all launch loads can be met with healthy margin. XALT was designed to have a first natural frequency of approximately 60 Hz to avoid coupling with the resonant frequencies of the loaded XPOD and the launch vehicle. Vibration testing was conducted on XALT to qualify the design for launch and to gather data. The finite element model was correlated to match experimental data which can then be used to generate vibration testing profiles for each flight XPOD

SEQOPTICS: a protein sequence clustering system

BACKGROUND: Protein sequence clustering has been widely used as a part of the analysis of protein structure and function. In most cases single linkage or graph-based clustering algorithms have been applied. OPTICS (Ordering Points To Identify the Clustering Structure) is an attractive approach due to its emphasis on visualization of results and support for interactive work, e.g., in choosing parameters. However, OPTICS has not been used, as far as we know, for protein sequence clustering. RESULTS: In this paper, a system of clustering proteins, SEQOPTICS (SEQuence clustering with OPTICS) is demonstrated. The system is implemented with Smith-Waterman as protein distance measurement and OPTICS at its core to perform protein sequence clustering. SEQOPTICS is tested with four data sets from different data sources. Visualization of the sequence clustering structure is demonstrated as well. CONCLUSION: The system was evaluated by comparison with other existing methods. Analysis of the results demonstrates that SEQOPTICS performs better based on some evaluation criteria including Jaccard coefficient, Precision, and Recall. It is a promising protein sequence clustering method with future possible improvement on parallel computing and other protein distance measurements

On the development of a Bayesian optimisation framework for complex unknown systems

Bayesian optimisation provides an effective method to optimise expensive black box functions. It has recently been applied to problems in fluid dynamics. This paper studies and compares common Bayesian optimisation algorithms empirically on a range of synthetic test functions. It investigates the choice of acquisition function and number of training samples, exact calculation of acquisition functions and Monte Carlo based approaches and both single-point and multi-point optimisation. The test functions considered cover a wide selection of challenges and therefore serve as an ideal test bed to understand the performance of Bayesian optimisation and to identify general situations where Bayesian optimisation performs well and poorly. This knowledge can be utilised in applications, including those in fluid dynamics, where objective functions are unknown. The results of this investigation show that the choices to be made are less relevant for relatively simple functions, while optimistic acquisition functions such as Upper Confidence Bound should be preferred for more complex objective functions. Furthermore, results from the Monte Carlo approach are comparable to results from analytical acquisition functions. In instances where the objective function allows parallel evaluations, the multi-point approach offers a quicker alternative, yet it may potentially require more objective function evaluations.Comment: This work has been submitted to the IEEE for possible publication. Copyright may be transferred without notice, after which this version may no longer be accessibl

The asymmetric eddy-background flow interaction in the North Pacific storm track

Using a recently developed methodology, namely, the multiscale window transform (MWT), and the MWT-based theory of canonical transfer and localized multiscale energetics analysis, we investigate in an eddy-following way the nonlinear eddy-background flow interaction in the North Pacific storm track, based on the ERA40 reanalysis data from ECWMF. It is found that more than 50% of the storms occur on the northern flank of the jet stream, about 40% are around the jet center, and very few (less than 5%) happen on the southern flank. For storms near or to the north of the jet center, their interaction with the background flow is asymmetric in latitude. In higher latitudes, strong downscale canonical available potential energy transfer happens, especially in the middle troposphere, which reduces the background baroclinicity and decelerates the jet; in lower latitudes, upscale canonical kinetic energy transfer intensifies at the jet center, accelerating the jet and enhancing the middle-level baroclinicity. The resultant effect is that the jet strengthens but narrows, leading to an anomalous dipolar pattern in the fields of background wind and baroclinicity. For the storms on the southern side of the jet, the baroclinic canonical transfer is rather weak. On average, the local interaction begins from about 3 days before a storm arrives at the site of observation, achieves its maximum as the storm arrives, and then weakens

2018 Melon Variety Trial in Southwestern Indiana

This is a compilation of 20 research trial reports from four land-grant universities in the Midwestern United States. Crops include cantaloupe, pickling cucumber, pepper, potato, pumpkin, summer squash and zucchini, sweet corn, tomato, and watermelon. Somecrops were evaluated in high tunnels or hoophouses. Most trials evaluated different cultivars or varieties. One report addressed plant spacing for sweet corn and one addressed soil block for production of tomato seedlings. A list of vegetable seed sources and a list of other online sources of vegetable trial reports are also included

Isotopic Compositions of Cometary Matter Returned by Stardust

Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen isotopic compositions are heterogeneous among comet 81P/Wild 2 particle fragments; however, extreme isotopic anomalies are rare, indicating that the comet is not a pristine aggregate of presolar materials. Nonterrestrial nitrogen and neon isotope ratios suggest that indigenous organic matter and highly volatile materials were successfully collected. Except for a single ^(17)O-enriched circumstellar stardust grain, silicate and oxide minerals have oxygen isotopic compositions consistent with solar system origin. One refractory grain is ^(16)O-enriched, like refractory inclusions in meteorites, suggesting that Wild 2 contains material formed at high temperature in the inner solar system and transported to the Kuiper belt before comet accretion

Exploration of Building Information Modeling and Integrated Project Cloud Service in early architectural design stages

[EN] In the evolving Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Cloud Service (IPCS) has become crucial. These tools are particularly essential during the early design stages, as they enable comprehensive management and integration of project information, thus promoting effective decision-making throughout project lifecycles. This combined approach enhances inter-organizational collaborations, improves design and construction practices, and creates a communal data platform for stakeholders. This research explores the effectiveness of the BIM-IPCS system in streamlining data exchange and information flow during early design, suggesting ways to minimize errors, speed up processes, and reduce construction costs through dependable networks. Conclusively, this study underscores the significant impact of the BIM-IPCS system on project management, ensuring well-coordinated and informed construction while advocating for its role in driving innovative and efficient project delivery in the AEC industry.Grateful acknowledgment is extended to the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, the Public Works Information Institute of the Republic of China (CPWEIA), and Luxor Digital Co., Ltd. (LUXOR) for their substantial support and contributions to this research.Wagiri, F.; Shih, S.; Harsono, K.; Cheng, T.; Lu, M. (2023). Exploration of Building Information Modeling and Integrated Project Cloud Service in early architectural design stages. VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability. 8(2):26-37. https://doi.org/10.4995/vitruvio-ijats.2023.2045326378