CODATA Task Group Research Articles

Promoting Data Science in Disaster Risk Reduction: Glimpses from the Global South

There are coordinated attempts to use Data Science in disaster risk reduction (DRR) across the world. Different special interest groups are formed within the data science community to formulate different action plans and strategies to use data science in the DRR. Some examples of community-driven initiatives are the CODATA Task Group FAIR Data for Disaster Risk Research (FAIR-DRR), CODATA Task Group Linked Open Data for Global Disaster Risk Research (LODGD), and ISC Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR). This chapter highlights the data science approaches, models, frameworks, and stakeholders mapping while dealing with the data collection, analysis, and reporting for strengthening data-driven decision-making at different levels. The chapter also explores the FAIR Data Principles that aim at achieving the findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable data resources at the institutional and national levels. FAIR Data ensures various data users increasingly engage with data related to disasters. We also discuss some case studies and success stories from the Global South, which may inspire other countries in data-driven decision-making while dealing with natural disasters. The much-discussed “Data, Information, Knowledge and Action” (DIKA) model is highlighted in this chapter. For example, the recently launched “Data-Knowledge-Action for Urban Systems” podcast series of CODATA and CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) in Ahmedabad, talks about how the DIKA model helps in creating intelligent systems for DRR using scientific and quantitative data. On a podcast in related Series, the DRR practitioners and data science researchers discussed the use of big data to predict natural disasters. This chapter highlights notable examples of how big data helped predict natural disasters across the world, particularly in the Global South.

IUPAC in the (real) clouds

Abstract As we approach the end of the second decade of the 21st century, changes in atmospheric chemical composition due to anthropogenic pollution continue to challenge the well-being of society. The IUPAC effort in atmospheric chemistry data evaluation can be traced back over 40 years. Global concerns over potentially catastrophic stratospheric ozone depletion resulting from emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) led to the creation of the CODATA Task Group on Chemical Kinetics in 1977. The task of the CODATA group was to provide the evaluated kinetic data for atmospheric reactions needed to assess the threat to stratospheric ozone. In 1989, sponsorship of the data evaluation effort was transferred to IUPAC, leading to the formation of the IUPAC Task Group on Atmospheric Chemical Kinetic Data Evaluation.

Accurate Determination of the Values of Fundamental Physical Constants: The Basis of the New “Quantum” SI Units

The metric system appeared as the system of units designed for macroscopic (laboratory scale) measurements. The progress in accurate determination of the values of quantum constants (such as the Planck constant) in SI units shows that the capabilities in high-precision measurement of microscopic and macroscopic quantities in terms of the same units have increased substantially recently. At the same time, relative microscopic measurements (for example, the comparison of atomic transition frequencies or atomic masses) are often much more accurate than relative measurements of macroscopic quantities. This is the basis for the strategy to define units in microscopic phenomena and then use them on the laboratory scale, which plays a crucial role in practical methodological applications determined by everyday life and technologies. The international CODATA task group on fundamental constants regularly performs an overall analysis of the precision world data (the so-called Adjustment of the Fundamental Constants) and publishes their recommended values. The most recent evaluation was based on the data published by the end of 2014; here, we review the corresponding data and results. The accuracy in determination of the Boltzmann constant has increased, the consistency of the data on determination of the Planck constant has improved; it is these two dimensional constants that will be used in near future as the basis for the new definition of the kelvin and kilogram, respectively. The contradictions in determination of the Rydberg constant and the proton charge radius remain. The accuracy of determination of the fine structure constant and relative atomic weight of the electron has improved. Overall, we give a detailed review of the state of the art in precision determination of the values of fundamental constants. The mathematical procedure of the Adjustment, the new data and results are considered in detail. The limitations due to macroscopic properties of material standards (such as the International prototype of the kilogram) and the isotopic composition of substances involved in precision studies in general (as standard measures for the triple point of water) and, in particular, in the determination of the fundamental constants are discussed. The perspectives of the introduction of the new quantum units, which will be free from the mentioned problems, are considered. Many physicists feel no sympathy for the International system of units (SI), believing that it does not properly reflect the character of physical laws. In fact, there are three parallel systems, namely the systems of quantities, system of their units and the related standards. The definition of the units, in particular, the SI units, above all, reflects our ability to perform precision measurements of physical values under certain conditions, in particular, to create appropriate standards. This requirement is not related to the beauty of fundamental laws of nature. More accurate determination of the fundamental constants is one of the areas where we accumulate such experience.

Data and analysis for the CODATA 2017 special fundamental constants adjustment**This report was prepared by the authors under the auspices of the Committee on Data for Science and Technology CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants. The members of the task group are F Cabiati, Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Italy; J Fischer, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany; K Fujii, National Metrology Institute

The special least-squares adjustment of the values of the fundamental constants, carried out by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) in the summer of 2017, is described in detail. It is based on all relevant data available by 1 July 2017. The purpose of this adjustment is to determine the numerical values of the Planck constant h, elementary charge e, Boltzmann constant k, and Avogadro constant NA for the revised SI expected to be established by the 26th General Conference on Weights and Measures when it convenes on 13–16 November 2018.

Determination of the Avogadro constant by the XRCD method using a 28Si-enriched sphere

To determine the Avogadro constant NA by the x-ray crystal density method, the density of a 28Si-enriched crystal was determined by absolute measurements of the mass and volume of a 1 kg sphere manufactured from the crystal. The mass and volume were determined by an optical interferometer and a vacuum mass comparator, respectively. The sphere surface was characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry to derive the mass and volume of the Si core of the sphere excluding the surface layers. From the mass and volume, the density of the Si core was determined with a relative standard uncertainty of 2.3 × 10−8. By combining the Si core density with the lattice constant and the molar mass of the sphere reported by the International Avogadro Coordination (IAC) project in 2015, a new value of 6.022 140 84(15) × 1023 mol−1 was obtained for NA with a relative standard uncertainty of 2.4 × 10−8. To make the NA value determined in this work usable for a future adjustment of the fundamental constants by the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants, the correlation of the new NA value with the NA values determined in our previous works was examined. The correlation coefficients with the values of NA determined by IAC in 2011 and 2015 were estimated to be 0.07 and 0.28, respectively. The correlation of the new NA value with the NA value determined by IAC in 2017 using a different 28Si-enriched crystal was also examined, and the correlation coefficient was estimated to be 0.21.

A summary of the Planck constant determinations using the NRC Kibble balance

We present a summary of the Planck constant determinations using the NRC watt balance, now referred to as the NRC Kibble balance. The summary includes a reanalysis of the four determinations performed in late 2013, as well as three new determinations performed in 2016. We also present a number of improvements and modifications to the experiment resulting in lower noise and an improved uncertainty analysis. As well, we present a systematic error that had been previously unrecognized and we have quantified its correction. The seven determinations, using three different nominal masses and two different materials, are reanalysed in a manner consistent with that used by the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants (TGFC) and includes a comprehensive assessment of correlations. The result is a Planck constant of 6.626 070 133(60) ×10−34 Js and an inferred value of the Avogadro constant of 6.022 140 772(55) ×1023 mol−1. These fractional uncertainties of less than 10−8 are the smallest published to date.

Some problems concerning the use of the CODATA adjusted values of fundamental constants in the definition of measurement units

This note discusses some problems that should be taken into account in the implementation of the proposed use of fundamental constants in the definition of measurement units: use of CODATA adjusted values of the constants for this specific purpose; how the CODATA Task Group could continue performing meaningful least squares adjustments of the fundamental constants taking into account future data.

Progress in the accuracy of the fundamental physical constants: 2010 CODATA recommended values

Every four years, the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants presents tables of recommended values of the fundamental physical constants. Recently, 2010 CODATA recommended values (Mohr P J, Taylor B N, and Newell D B “CODATA recommended values of the fundamental physical constants: 2010” Rev. Mod. Phys. 84 1527 (2012)), based on global data up to 31 December 2010, were published. In the present review, we briefly analyze the new recommended values, as well as new original data, on which the determination is based. To facilitate the consideration, the data are subdivided into several groups. New original theoretical and experimental results are discussed for each group separately. Special attention is paid to experimental and theoretical progress in the determination of the Rydberg constant , the electron–proton mass ratio , the fine-structure constant , the Planck constant , the Boltzmann constant , the Newtonian constant of gravitation , and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon . In conclusion, the prospects of redefining units of the International System (SI) in terms of fundamental physical constants, which is currently under active discussion by the metrological community, are considered. The very possibility and efficiency of a practical realization of such a scenario with the redefinition directly depends on the status of the determination of the fundamental constants.

CODATA recommended values of the fundamental physical constants: 2006

This paper gives the values of the basic constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry resulting from the 1986 least-squares adjustment of the fundamental physical constants as recently published by the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants and as recommended for international use by CODATA. The new, 1986 CODATA set of recommended values replaces its predecessor published by the Task Group and recommended for international use by CODATA in 1973.

Seminar Cum Meeting Report: Codata Task Group for Exchangeable Material Data Representation to Support Research and Education

The CODATA Data Science Journal is a peer-reviewed, open access, electronic journal, publishing papers on the management, dissemination, use and reuse of research data and databases across all research domains, including science, technology, the humanities and the arts. The scope of the journal includes descriptions of data systems, their implementations and their publication, applications, infrastructures, software, legal, reproducibility and transparency issues, the availability and usability of complex datasets, and with a particular focus on the principles, policies and practices for open data.All data is in scope, whether born digital or converted from other sources.

The determination of best values of the fundamental physical constants

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of how a self-consistent set of 'best values' of the fundamental physical constants for use worldwide by all of science and technology is obtained from all of the relevant data available at a given point in time. The basis of the discussion is the 2002 Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) least-squares adjustment of the values of the constants, the most recent such study available, which was carried out under the auspices of the CODATA Task group on fundamental constants. A detailed description of the 2002 CODATA adjustment, which took into account all relevant data available by 31 December 2002, plus selected data that became available by Fall of 2003, may be found in the January 2005 issue of the Reviews of Modern Physics. Although the latter publication includes the full set of CODATA recommended values of the fundamental constants resulting from the 2002 adjustment, the set is also available electronically at http://physics.nist.gov/constants.

Heat capacity of copper on the ITS-90 temperature scale using adiabatic calorimetry

The molar heat capacity of copper has been measured between T = (6 and 400) K using an adiabatic calorimeter and thermometry calibrated on ITS-90. Our results are in good agreement with the measurements of Martin [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 58 (1987) 639] and Robie et al. [J. Res. US Geol. Survery 4 (1976) 631], made on the IPTS-68 temperature scale. The agreement is generally within 0.1% between 100 ⩽ ( T/K) ⩽ 300 and increases to 0.5% below T = 100 K. However, when our results are compared to compilations of older data (taken before 1966), including the molar heat capacity values recommended by the CODATA Task Group on Thermophysical Properties, there are differences of up to 1% in the range 20 ⩽ ( T/K) ⩽ 400. We concur with the conclusion of Martin that the CODATA results are in error below T = 300 K, and we conclude that the error extends to 400 K. The paper also includes a description of the instrumentation and procedures used to obtain the measurements in the Boerio-Goates laboratory.

Evaluation of the molar volume of silicon crystals for a determination of the avogadro constant

For a determination of the Avogadro constant by the X-ray crystal density method, the molar volume of three different silicon crystals has been evaluated by absolute measurements of their densities and molar masses. The results have shown that the molar volume is 12.058 8279 (22) cm/sup 3/ mol/sup -1/. When this value is combined with the lattice constant recommended by the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants in 1998, it leads to the Avogadro constant of 6.022 1375 (12)/spl times/10/sup 23/ mol/sup -1/. Details on the sample preparation and the result of the measurement are presented.

Quality control in databanks for molecular biology.

Using a scientific measurement without an estimate of its error is like lending money to a stranger. Given the explosion in nucleic acid and protein sequence and structural data, what risks are the scientific and medical communities running in using these databases. Is there an 'ombudsman' who speaks for the users of the data? CODATA, the Committee on Data for Science and Technology of the International Council of Scientific Unions was established to improve the quality, reliability, processing, management, and accessibility of data for science and technology. The CODATA Task Group on Biological Macromolecules has surveyed quality control procedures of archival databanks in molecular biology. Our role is 'to advise, to be consulted, and to warn.' This report describes the kinds and extents of errors that may appear in nucleic acid and protein databases, and presents an agenda for future work to improve the quality of these databases. The results of the survey appear on the webhttp://www.codata.org/codata/tgreports/ tg_reps.html.

New apparatus for thermal diffusivity measurements of refractory solid materials by the periodic stationary method

An apparatus for the thermal diffusivity measurement of refractory solids at high temperatures (800–1800 K) by the periodic stationary method is presented. A cylindrical geometry for the sample has been chosen. The radial heat flow through the measurement cell is sine modulated and induces a thermal sine wave over the lateral side of the sample. The thermal diffusivity is determined from the measurement of the phase change and the amplitude ratio between two points of the sample. Thus, the thermal diffusivity can be obtained in two manners. The difference between these results is a criterium for the validity of the measurement. Experimental results on a sample of a cordierite based sintered material (Cecorite 130P) are presented. They show good agreement with the results of the CODATA Task Group on Thermophysical Properties.

Conference on Precision Electromagetic Measurements, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 27 June–1 July 1994

The 1994 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements will be held Monday 27 June to Friday 1 July 1994 in Boulder, Colorado, USA. The purpose of the bienennial meetings of the CPEM is to exchange information on a wide range of topics on precise electromagnetic measurements. These topics include: Advanced instrumentation including new sensors and measurement methods Automated measurement methods Dielectric and antenna measurements Direct current and low-frequency measurements Fundamental constants and special standards Laser, optical fibre and optical electronic measurements RF, microwave and millimetre-wave measurements Superconducting and other low-temperature measurements Time and frequency measurementsCPEM'94 will be extended to five days to provide for added special sessions on the fundamental physical constants. The CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants plans to carry out the next least-squares adjustment of the fundamental constants in 1995 with a cutoff date for input data that is shortly after CPEM'94. Thus, CPEM'94 provides a particularly timely forum for discussion of results important to the 1995 adjustment.The conference language will be English. Authors are requested to submit an abstract and summary by 18 January 1994. If the paper is accepted, the author will be notified and encouraged to prepare a full paper for IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement.Conference ChairmanDonald B Sullivan, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USATechnical Programme Committee ChairmanAllen C Newell, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USAFor further information, please contact Gwen E Bennett, Conference Secretary, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA Tel: (01) 303-497-3295, Fax: (01) 303-497-6461, Telex: 910 940 5906.

Conference on Precision Electromagetic Measurements, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 27 June–1 July 1994

The 1994 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements will be held Monday 27 June to Friday 1 July 1994 in Boulder, Colorado, USA. The purpose of the bienennial meetings of the CPEM is to exchange information on a wide range of topics on precise electromagnetic measurements. These topics include: Advanced instrumentation including new sensors and measurement methods Automated measurement methods Dielectric and antenna measurements Direct current and low-frequency measurements Fundamental constants and special standards Laser, optical fibre and optical electronic measurements RF, microwave and millimetre-wave measurements Superconducting and other low-temperature measurements Time and frequency measurementsCPEM'94 will be extended to five days to provide for added special sessions on the fundamental physical constants. The CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants plans to carry out the next least-squares adjustment of the fundamental constants in 1995 with a cutoff date for input data that is shortly after CPEM'94. Thus, CPEM'94 provides a particularly timely forum for discussion of results important to the 1995 adjustment.The conference language will be English. Authors are requested to submit an abstract and summary by 18 January 1994. If the paper is accepted, the author will be notified and encouraged to prepare a full paper for IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement.Conference ChairmanDonald B Sullivan, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USATechnical Programme Committee ChairmanAllen C Newell, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USAFor further information, please contact Gwen E Bennett, Conference Secretary, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA Tel: (01) 303-497-3295, Fax: (01) 303-497-6461, Telex: 910 940 5906.

The Role of the Fundamental Constants of Physics in Metrology

The paper discusses the recent measurements of the fundamental physical constants whose various combinations serve to provide the natural units of measurement in physics and the evaluation of their recommended values by the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants. It emphasizes the strong involvement of the SI units with the present evaluations and shows how the fundamental physical constants play an increasing role in defining and maintaining many of the SI units of today and in sustaining the integrity of our measurement system. The present situation is reviewed and the evolving role of the fundamental physical constants in science and technology is discussed.

The 1986 CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants

Presented here are the values of the basic constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry resulting from the 1986 least-squares adjustment of the fundamental physical constants as published by the CODATA (Committee on Data for Science and Technology) Task Group on Fundamental Constants and recommended for international use by CODATA. The 1986 CODATA set of values replaces its predecessor published by the Task Group and recommended for international use by CODATA in 1973.

Report of the CODATA Task Group on Multisatellite Thematic Mapping

Report of the CODATA Task Group on Multisatellite Thematic Mapping