FSO and quality of service software prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchet, O.; Marquis, T.; Chabane, M.; Alnaboulsi, M.; Sizun, H.

2005-08-01

Free-space optical (FSO) communication links constitute an alternative option to radio relay links and to optical cables facing growth needs in high-speed telecommunications (abundance of unregulated bandwidth, rapid installation, availability of low-cost optical components offering a high data rate, etc). Their operationalisation requires a good knowledge of the atmospheric effects which can negatively affect role propagation and the availability of the link, and thus to the quality of service (QoS). Better control of these phenomena will allow for the evaluation of system performance and thus assist with improving reliability. The aim of this paper is to compare the behavior of a FSO link located in south of France (Toulouse: with the following parameters: around 270 meters (0.2 mile) long, 34 Mbps data rate, 850 nm wavelength and PDH frame) with airport meteorological data. The second aim of the paper is to assess in-house FSO quality of service prediction software, through comparing simulations with the optical link data and the weather data. The analysis uses in-house software FSO quality of service prediction software ("FSO Prediction") developed by France Telecom Research & Development, which integrates news fog fading equations (compare to Kim & al.) and includes multiple effects (geometrical attenuation, atmospheric fading, rain, snow, scintillation and refraction attenuation due to atmospheric turbulence, optical mispointing attenuation). The FSO link field trial, intended to enable the demonstration and evaluation of these different effects, is described; and preliminary results of the field trial, from December 2004 to May 2005, are then presented.

A statistical rain attenuation prediction model with application to the advanced communication technology satellite project. Part 2: Theoretical development of a dynamic model and application to rain fade durations and tolerable control delays for fade countermeasures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manning, Robert M.

1987-01-01

A dynamic rain attenuation prediction model is developed for use in obtaining the temporal characteristics, on time scales of minutes or hours, of satellite communication link availability. Analagous to the associated static rain attenuation model, which yields yearly attenuation predictions, this dynamic model is applicable at any location in the world that is characterized by the static rain attenuation statistics peculiar to the geometry of the satellite link and the rain statistics of the location. Such statistics are calculated by employing the formalism of Part I of this report. In fact, the dynamic model presented here is an extension of the static model and reduces to the static model in the appropriate limit. By assuming that rain attenuation is dynamically described by a first-order stochastic differential equation in time and that this random attenuation process is a Markov process, an expression for the associated transition probability is obtained by solving the related forward Kolmogorov equation. This transition probability is then used to obtain such temporal rain attenuation statistics as attenuation durations and allowable attenuation margins versus control system delay.

ACTS Ka-band Propagation Research in a Spatially Diversified Network with Two USAT Ground Stations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kalu, Alex; Acousta, R.; Durand, S.; Emrich, Carol; Ventre, G.; Wilson, W.

1999-01-01

Congestion in the radio spectrum below 18 GHz is stimulating greater interest in the Ka (20/30 GHz) frequency band. Transmission at these shorter wavelengths is greatly influenced by rain resulting in signal attenuation and decreased link availability. The size and projected cost of Ultra Small Aperture Terminals (USATS) make site diversity methodology attractive for rain fade compensation. Separation distances between terminals must be small to be of interest commercially. This study measures diversity gain at a separation distance <5 km and investigates utilization of S-band weather radar reflectivity in predicting diversity gain. Two USAT ground stations, separated by 2.43 km for spatial diversity, received a continuous Ka-band tone sent from NASA Glenn Research Center via the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) steerable antenna beam. Received signal power and rainfall were measured, and Weather Surveillance Radar-1998 Doppler (WSR-88D) data were obtained as a measure of precipitation along the USAT-to-ACTS slant path. Signal attenuation was compared for the two sites, and diversity gain was calculated for fades measured on eleven days. Correlation of WSR-88D S-band reflectivity with measured Ka-band attenuation consisted of locating radar volume elements along each slant path, converting reflectivity to Ka-band attenuation with rain rate calculation as an intermediate step. Specific attenuation for each associated path segment was summed, resulting in total attenuation along the slant path. Derived Ka-band attenuation did not correlate closely with empirical data (r = 0.239), but a measured signal fade could be matched with an increase in radar reflectivity in all fade events. Applying a low pass filter to radar reflectivity prior to deriving Ka-band attenuation improved the correlation between measured and derived signal attenuation (r = 0.733). Results indicate that site diversity at small separation distances is a viable means of rain fade compensation, and that existing models underestimate diversity gain for a subtropical climate such as Florida. Also, filtered WSR-88D reflectivity can be used for optimizing diversity terminal placement by comparing derived Ka- band attenuation between the diversity sites.

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite high burst rate link evaluation terminal experiment control and monitor software maintenance manual, version 1.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.

1992-01-01

The Experiment Control and Monitor (EC&M) software was developed at NASA Lewis Research Center to support the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) High Burst Rate Link Evaluation Terminal (HBR-LET). The HBR-LET is an experimenter's terminal to communicate with the ACTS for various investigations by government agencies, universities, and industry. The EC&M software is one segment of the Control and Performance Monitoring (C&PM) software system of the HBR-LET. The EC&M software allows users to initialize, control, and monitor the instrumentation within the HBR-LET using a predefined sequence of commands. Besides instrument control, the C&PM software system is also responsible for computer communication between the HBR-LET and the ACTS NASA Ground Station and for uplink power control of the HBR-LET to demonstrate power augmentation during rain fade events. The EC&M Software User's Guide, Version 1.0 (NASA-CR-189160) outlines the commands required to install and operate the EC&M software. Input and output file descriptions, operator commands, and error recovery procedures are discussed in the document. The EC&M Software Maintenance Manual, Version 1.0 (NASA-CR-189161) is a programmer's guide that describes current implementation of the EC&M software from a technical perspective. An overview of the EC&M software, computer algorithms, format representation, and computer hardware configuration are included in the manual.

Atmospheric-Fade-Tolerant Tracking and Pointing in Wireless Optical Communication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ortiz, Gerardo; Lee, Shinhak

2003-01-01

An acquisition, tracking, and pointing (ATP) system, under development at the time of reporting the information for this article, is intended to enable a terminal in a free-space optical communication system to continue to aim its transmitting laser beam toward a receiver at a remote terminal when the laser beacon signal from the remote terminal temporarily fades or drops out of sight altogether. Such fades and dropouts can be caused by adverse atmospheric conditions (e.g., rain or clouds). They can also occur when intervening objects block the line of sight between terminals as a result of motions of those objects or of either or both terminals

Prediction of attenuation of the 28 GHz COMSTAR beacon signal using radar and measured rain drop spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, J.

1977-01-01

Disdrometer measurements and radar reflectivity measurements were injected into a computer program to estimate the path attenuation of the signal. Predicted attenuations when compared with the directly measured ones showed generally good correlation on a case by case basis and very good agreement statistically. The utility of using radar in conjunction with disdrometer measurements for predicting fade events and long term fade distributions associated with earth-satellite telecommunications is demonstrated.

Ultrasonic simulation of MSBLS multipath fading for orbiter landing configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayre, H. S.

1978-01-01

The on-shuttle antenna pattern of the MSBLS receiver, and the azimuth and elevation beamwidths were simulated by their corresponding ultrasonic transducer beams. The scanning rate for the azimuth and elevation beams was 1.75 degrees/second. The results were adjusted for full-scale maximum sinusoidal scan rates of 691 and 377 deg/sec for AZ and EL respectively. The rain drops were simulated by air bubbles, with a similar size distribution, in water. The rain volume was created along a part of the propagation path, and not on the runway, because it was found difficult to avoid an accumulation of bubbles on the runway surface and surroundings simulated by the model surface. Multipath fading from the ground, and its possible degrading effect on the orbiter received beam shape and the associated landing guidance parameters is discussed.

Earth-space links and fade-duration statistics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, Faramaz

1995-01-01

In recent years, fade-duration statistics have been the subject of several experimental investigations. A good knowledge of the fade-duration distribution is important for the assessment of a satellite communication system's channel dynamics: What is a typical link outage duration? How often do link outages exceeding a given duration occur? Unfortunately there is yet no model that can universally answer the above questions. The available field measurements mainly come from temperate climatic zones and only from a few sites. Furthermore, the available statistics are also limited in the choice of frequency and path elevation angle. Yet, much can be learned from the available information. For example, we now know that the fade-duration distribution is approximately lognormal. Under certain conditions, we can even determine the median and other percentiles of the distribution. This paper reviews the available data obtained by several experimenters in different parts of the world. Areas of emphasis are mobile and fixed satellite links. Fades in mobile links are due to roadside-tree shadowing, whereas fades in fixed links are due to rain attenuation.

Earth-Space Links and Fade-Duration Statistics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, Faramaz

1996-01-01

In recent years, fade-duration statistics have been the subject of several experimental investigations. A good knowledge of the fade-duration distribution is important for the assessment of a satellite communication system's channel dynamics: What is a typical link outage duration? How often do link outages exceeding a given duration occur? Unfortunately there is yet no model that can universally answer the above questions. The available field measurements mainly come from temperate climatic zones and only from a few sites. Furthermore, the available statistics are also limited in the choice of frequency and path elevation angle. Yet, much can be learned from the available information. For example, we now know that the fade-duration distribution is approximately lognormal. Under certain conditions, we can even determine the median and other percentiles of the distribution. This paper reviews the available data obtained by several experimenters in different parts of the world. Areas of emphasis are mobile and fixed satellite links. Fades in mobile links are due to roadside-tree shadowing, whereas fades in fixed links are due to rain attenuation.

Estimating 1 min rain rate distributions from numerical weather prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulson, Kevin S.

2017-01-01

Internationally recognized prognostic models of rain fade on terrestrial and Earth-space EHF links rely fundamentally on distributions of 1 min rain rates. Currently, in Rec. ITU-R P.837-6, these distributions are generated using the Salonen-Poiares Baptista method where 1 min rain rate distributions are estimated from long-term average annual accumulations provided by numerical weather prediction (NWP). This paper investigates an alternative to this method based on the distribution of 6 h accumulations available from the same NWPs. Rain rate fields covering the UK, produced by the Nimrod network of radars, are integrated to estimate the accumulations provided by NWP, and these are linked to distributions of fine-scale rain rates. The proposed method makes better use of the available data. It is verified on 15 NWP regions spanning the UK, and the extension to other regions is discussed.

Prediction of slant path rain attenuation statistics at various locations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, J.

1977-01-01

The paper describes a method for predicting slant path attenuation statistics at arbitrary locations for variable frequencies and path elevation angles. The method involves the use of median reflectivity factor-height profiles measured with radar as well as the use of long-term point rain rate data and assumed or measured drop size distributions. The attenuation coefficient due to cloud liquid water in the presence of rain is also considered. Absolute probability fade distributions are compared for eight cases: Maryland (15 GHz), Texas (30 GHz), Slough, England (19 and 37 GHz), Fayetteville, North Carolina (13 and 18 GHz), and Cambridge, Massachusetts (13 and 18 GHz).

Design of a Ka-Band Propagation Terminal for Atmospheric Measurements in Polar Regions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houts, Jacquelynne R.; Nessel, James A.; Zemba, Michael J.

2016-01-01

This paper describes the design and performance of a Ka-Band beacon receiver developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) that will be installed alongside an existing Ka-Band Radiometer [2] located at the east end of the Svalbard Near Earth Network (NEN) complex. The goal of this experiment is to characterize rain fade attenuation to improve the performance of existing statistical rain attenuation models. The ground terminal developed by NASA GRC utilizes an FFT-based frequency estimation [3] receiver capable of characterizing total path attenuation effects due to gaseous absorption, clouds, rain, and scintillation by directly measuring the propagated signal from the satellite Thor 7.

Design of a Ka-band Propagation Terminal for Atmospheric Measurements in Polar Regions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houts, Jacquelynne R.; Nessel, James A.; Zemba, Michael J.

2016-01-01

This paper describes the design and performance of a Ka-Band beacon receiver developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) that will be installed alongside an existing Ka-Band Radiometer located at the east end of the Svalbard Near Earth Network (NEN) complex. The goal of this experiment is to characterize rain fade attenuation to improve the performance of existing statistical rain attenuation models. The ground terminal developed by NASA GRC utilizes an FFT-based frequency estimation receiver capable of characterizing total path attenuation effects due to gaseous absorption, clouds, rain, and scintillation by directly measuring the propagated signal from the satellite Thor 7.

An investigation of site diversity and comparison with ITU-R recommendations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callaghan, S. A.; Boyes, B.; Couchman, A.; Waight, J.; Walden, C. J.; Ventouras, S.

2008-08-01

Earth-space radio systems operating at frequencies of 10 GHz and above are badly attenuated by rain, cloud, and atmospheric gases. As the frequencies of operational systems increase, it becomes increasingly uneconomic to compensate for the effects of fading through the use of a fixed fade margin, hence the implementation of fade mitigation techniques (FMT). The spatial and temporal variation of rain provides the justification for the use of site diversity as an FMT. Site diversity employs two or more ground stations receiving the same satellite signal with a separation distance such that the sites encounter intense rainfall at different times, and switching to the site experiencing the least fading improves system performance considerably. Measurements of the 20.7 GHz beacon carried as part of the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) payload on the U.S. Department of Defense satellite UFO-9 have been made at three sites: two are located in the South of England (˜8 km apart), and the third receiver was located in Scotland. These beacon measurements have produced long term attenuation exceedance and site diversity gain and improvement statistics. This attenuation time series data can simulate the performance of an Earth-space system using site diversity, indicating the optimum method of implementing this FMT. In this paper, unbalanced site diversity is investigated, as this is a more likely scenario than the balanced site diversity modeled by the ITU-R recommendations. This paper also investigates the implementation of site diversity from a commercial context, including cost-benefit analysis and technical feasibility.

Propagation effects on satellite systems at frequencies below 10 GHz, a handbook for satellite systems design, 1st edition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flock, W. L.

1983-01-01

Satellite communications below about 6 GHz may need to contend with ionospheric effects, including Faraday rotation and ionospheric scintillation, which become increasingly significant with decreasing frequency. Scintillation is most serious in equatorial, auroral, and polar latitudes; even the 4 to 6 GHz frequency range turns out to be subject to scintillation to a significant degree of equatorial latitudes. Faraday rotation, excess range or time delay, phase advance, Doppler frequency fluctuations, and dispersion are proportional to total electron content (TEC) or its variation along the path. Tropospheric refraction and fading affects low angle satellite transmissions as well as terrestrial paths. Attenuation and depolarization due to rain become less important with decreasing frequency but need consideration for frequencies of about 4 GHz and higher. Empirically derived relations are useful for estimating the attenuation expected due to rain for particular percentages of time. Aeronautical, maritime, and land mobile satellite services are subject to fading due to multipath propagation.

A review of the application of nonattenuating frequency radars for estimating rain attenuation and space-diversity performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, J.

1979-01-01

Cumulative rain fade statistics are used by space communications engineers to establish transmitter power and receiver sensitivities for systems operating under various geometries, climates, and radio frequencies. Space-diversity performance criteria are also of interest. This work represents a review, in which are examined the many elements involved in the employment of single nonattenuating frequency radars for arriving at the desired information. The elements examined include radar techniques and requirements, phenomenological assumptions, path attenuation formulations and procedures, as well as error budgeting and calibration analysis. Included are the pertinent results of previous investigators who have used radar for rain-attenuation modeling. Suggestions are made for improving present methods.

Proceedings of the Twelfth NASA Propagation Experimenters Meeting (NAPEX 12)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, Faramaz (Editor)

1988-01-01

The NASA Propagation Experimenters Meeting was convened on June 9 and 10, 1988. Pilot Field Experiments propagation studies, mobile communication systems, signal fading, communication satellites rain gauge network measurements, atmospheric attenuation studies, optical communication through the atmosphere, and digital beacon receivers were among the topics discussed.

Application of non-attenuating frequency radars for prediction of rain attenuation and space diversity performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, J.

1979-01-01

In order to establish transmitter power and receiver sensitivity levels at frequencies above 10 GHz, the designers of earth-satellite telecommunication systems are interested in cumulative rain fade statistics at variable path orientations, elevation angles, climatological regions, and frequencies. They are also interested in establishing optimum space diversity performance parameters. In this work are examined the many elements involved in the employment of single non-attenuating frequency radars for arriving at the desired information. The elements examined include radar techniques and requirements, phenomenological assumptions, path attenation formulations and procedures, as well as error budgeting and calibration analysis. Included are the pertinent results of previous investigators who have used radar for rain attenuation modeling. Suggestions are made for improving present methods.

Special Effects: Antenna Wetting, Short Distance Diversity and Depolarization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acosta, Roberto J.

2000-01-01

The Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) communications system operates in the Ka frequency band. ACTS uses multiple, hopping, narrow beams and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) technology to establish a system availability of 99.5% for bit-error-rates of 5 x 10(exp -7) Or better over the continental United States. In order maintain this minimum system availability in all US rain zones, ACTS uses an adaptive rain fade compensation protocol to reduce the impact of signal attenuation resulting from propagation effects. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of system and sub-system characterizations considering the statistical effects of system variances due to antenna wetting and depolarization effects. In addition the availability enhancements using short distance diversity in a sub-tropical rain zone are investigated.

Comparison of Instantaneous Frequency Scaling from Rain Attenuation and Optical Disdrometer Measurements at K/Q bands

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nessel, James; Zemba, Michael; Luini, Lorenzo; Riva, Carlo

2015-01-01

Rain attenuation is strongly dependent on the rain rate, but also on the rain drop size distribution (DSD). Typically, models utilize an average drop size distribution, such as those developed by Laws and Parsons, or Marshall and Palmer. However, individual rain events may possess drop size distributions which could be significantly different from the average and will impact, for example, fade mitigation techniques which utilize channel performance estimates from a signal at a different frequency. Therefore, a good understanding of the characteristics and variability of the raindrop size distribution is extremely important in predicting rain attenuation and instantaneous frequency scaling parameters on an event-toevent basis. Since June 2014, NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) have measured the attenuation due to rain in Milan, Italy, on the 20/40 GHz beacon signal broadcast from the Alphasat TDP#5 Aldo Paraboni Q/V-band Payload. Concomitant with these measurements are the measurements of drop size distribution and rain rate utilizing a Thies Clima laser precipitation monitor (disdrometer). In this paper, we discuss the comparison of the predicted rain attenuation at 20 and 40 GHz derived from the drop size distribution data with the measured rain attenuation. The results are compared on statistical and real-time bases. We will investigate the performance of the rain attenuation model, instantaneous frequency scaling, and the distribution of the scaling factor. Further, seasonal rain characteristics will be analysed.

Analysis of Fade Detection and Compensation Experimental Results in a Ka-Band Satellite System. Degree awarded by Akron Univ., May 2000

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Sandra

2001-01-01

The frequency bands being used for new satellite communication systems are constantly increasing to accommodate the requirements for additional capacity. At these higher frequencies, propagation impairments that did not significantly affect the signal at lower frequencies begin to have considerable impact. In Ka-band, the next logical commercial frequency band to be used for satellite communication, attenuation of the signal due to rain is a primary concern. An experimental satellite built by NASA, the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS), launched in September 1993, is the first US communication satellite operating in the Ka-band. In addition to higher carrier frequencies, a number of other new technologies, including onboard baseband processing, multiple beam antennas, and rain fade detection and compensation techniques, were designed into the ACTS. Verification experiments have been conducted since the launch to characterize the new technologies. The focus of this thesis is to describe and validate the method used by the ACTS Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) ground stations in detecting the presence of fade in the communication signal and to adaptively compensate for it by the addition of burst rate reduction and forward error correction. Measured data obtained from the ACTS program is used to validate the compensation technique. In this thesis, models in MATLAB are developed to statistically characterize the increased availability achieved by the compensation techniques in terms of the bit error rate time enhancement factor. Several improvements to the ACTS technique are discussed and possible implementations for future Ka-band systems are also presented.

Performance analysis of 60-min to 1-min integration time rain rate conversion models in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ng, Yun-Yann; Singh, Mandeep Singh Jit; Thiruchelvam, Vinesh

2018-01-01

Utilizing the frequency band above 10 GHz is in focus nowadays as a result of the fast expansion of radio communication systems in Malaysia. However, rain fade is the critical factor in attenuation of signal propagation for frequencies above 10 GHz. Malaysia is located in a tropical and equatorial region with high rain intensity throughout the year, and this study will review rain distribution and evaluate the performance of 60-min to 1-min integration time rain rate conversion methods for Malaysia. Several conversion methods such as Segal, Chebil & Rahman, Burgeono, Emiliani, Lavergnat and Gole (LG), Simplified Moupfouma, Joo et al., fourth order polynomial fit and logarithmic model have been chosen to evaluate the performance to predict 1-min rain rate for 10 sites in Malaysia. After the completion of this research, the results show that Chebil & Rahman model, Lavergnat & Gole model, Fourth order polynomial fit and Logarithmic model have shown the best performances in 60-min to 1-min rain rate conversion over 10 sites. In conclusion, it is proven that there is no single model which can claim to perform the best across 10 sites. By averaging RMSE and SC-RMSE over 10 sites, Chebil and Rahman model is the best method.

A statistical rain attenuation prediction model with application to the advanced communication technology satellite project. 1: Theoretical development and application to yearly predictions for selected cities in the United States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manning, Robert M.

1986-01-01

A rain attenuation prediction model is described for use in calculating satellite communication link availability for any specific location in the world that is characterized by an extended record of rainfall. Such a formalism is necessary for the accurate assessment of such availability predictions in the case of the small user-terminal concept of the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) Project. The model employs the theory of extreme value statistics to generate the necessary statistical rainrate parameters from rain data in the form compiled by the National Weather Service. These location dependent rain statistics are then applied to a rain attenuation model to obtain a yearly prediction of the occurrence of attenuation on any satellite link at that location. The predictions of this model are compared to those of the Crane Two-Component Rain Model and some empirical data and found to be very good. The model is then used to calculate rain attenuation statistics at 59 locations in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) for the 20 GHz downlinks and 30 GHz uplinks of the proposed ACTS system. The flexibility of this modeling formalism is such that it allows a complete and unified treatment of the temporal aspects of rain attenuation that leads to the design of an optimum stochastic power control algorithm, the purpose of which is to efficiently counter such rain fades on a satellite link.

Design of a K/Q-Band Beacon Receiver for the Alphasat TDP#5 Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morse, Jacquelynne R.

2014-01-01

This paper describes the design and performance of a coherent KQ-band (2040 GHz) beacon receiver developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) that will be installed at the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) for use in the Alphasat Technology Demonstration Payload 5 (TDP5) beacon experiment. The goal of this experiment is to characterize rain fade attenuation at 40 GHz to improve the performance of existing statistical rain attenuation models in the Q-band. The ground terminal developed by NASA GRC utilizes an FFT-based frequency estimation receiver capable of characterizing total path attenuation effects due to gaseous absorption, clouds, rain, and scintillation. The receiver system has been characterized in the lab and demonstrates a system dynamic range performance of better than 58 dB at 1 Hz and better than 48 dB at 10 Hz rates.

Design of a K/Q-Band Beacon Receiver for the Alphasat Technology Demonstration Payload (TDP) #5 Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morse, Jacquelynne R.

2014-01-01

This paper describes the design and performance of a coherent KQ-band (2040 GHz) beacon receiver developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) that will be installed at the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) for use in the Alphasat Technology Demonstration Payload 5 (TDP5) beacon experiment. The goal of this experiment is to characterize rain fade attenuation at 40 GHz to improve the performance of existing statistical rain attenuation models in the Q-band. The ground terminal developed by NASA GRC utilizes an FFT-based frequency estimation receiver capable of characterizing total path attenuation effects due to gaseous absorption, clouds, rain, and scintillation. The receiver system has been characterized in the lab and demonstrates a system dynamic range performance of better than 58 dB at 1 Hz and better than 48 dB at 10 Hz rates.

Design of a K/Q-band Beacon Receiver for the Alphasat TDP#5 Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nessel, James A.; Zemba, Michael J.; Morse, Jacquelynne R.

2014-01-01

This paper describes the design and performance of a coherent K/Q-band (20/40GHz) beacon receiver developed at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) that will be installed at the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) for use in the Alphasat Technology Demonstration Payload #5 (TDP#5) beacon experiment. The goal of this experiment is to characterize rain fade attenuation at 40GHz to improve the performance of existing statistical rain attenuation models in the Q-band. The ground terminal developed by NASA GRC utilizes an FFT-based frequency estimation receiver capable of characterizing total path attenuation effects due to gaseous absorption, clouds, rain, and scintillation. The receiver system has been characterized in the lab and demonstrates a system dynamic range performance of better than 58dB at 1Hz and better than 48dB at 10Hz rates.

Real-time Identification and Control of Satellite Signal Impairments Solution and Application of the Stratonovich Equation Part 1. Theoretical Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manning, Robert M.

2016-01-01

As satellite communications systems become both more complex and reliant with respect to their operating environment, it has become imperative to be able to identify, during real-time operation, the onset of one or more impairments to the quality of overall communications system integrity. One of the most important aspects to monitor of a satellite link operating within the Earth's atmosphere is the signal fading due to the occurrence of rain and/or phase scintillations. This, of course, must be done in the presence of the associated measurement uncertainty or potentially faulty measurement equipment such as in the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) experiment. In the present work, an approach originally suggested in 1991, and apparently still considered iconoclastic, will be significantly developed and applied to the satellite communications link on which the deleterious composite signal fade is the result of one or many component fade mechanisms. Through the measurement (with the attendant uncertainty or 'error' in the measurement) of such a composite fading satellite signal, it is desired to extract the level of each of the individual fading mechanisms so they can be appropriately mitigated before they impact the overall performance of the communications network. Rather than employing simple-minded deterministic filtering to the real-time fading, the present approach is built around all the models and/or descriptions used to describe the individual fade components, including their dynamic evolution. The latter is usually given by a first-order Langevin equation. This circumstance allows the description of the associated temporal transition probability densities of each of the component processes. By using this description, along with the real-time measurements of the composite fade (along with the measurement errors), one can obtain statistical estimates of the levels of each of the component fading mechanisms as well as their predicted values into the future. This is all accomplished by the use of the well-known Stratonovich integro-differential equation that results from the model of the measured signal fade that is also tailored to adaptively adjust the values of the parameters used in the statistical models of the individual fade mechanisms. Three examples of increasing complexity are addressed and solved for the iterative determination of fade component levels from the measured composite signal fade in the presence of measurement error and, in the last case, with uncertainty in the model parameters.

Narrow Angle Diversity using ACTS Ka-band Signal with Two USAT Ground Stations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kalu, A.; Emrich, C.; Ventre, J.; Wilson, W.; Acosta, R.

1998-01-01

Two ultra small aperture terminal (USAT) ground stations, separated by 1.2 km in a narrow angle diversity configuration, received a continuous Ka-band tone sent from Cleveland Link Evaluation Terminal (LET). The signal was transmitted to the USAT ground stations via NASA's Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) steerable beam. Received signal power at the two sites was measured and analyzed. A dedicated datalogger at each site recorded time-of-tip data from tipping bucket rain gauges, providing rain amount and instantaneous rain rate. WSR-88D data was also obtained for the collection period. Eleven events with ground-to-satellite slant-path precipitation and resultant signal attenuation were observed during the data collection period. Fade magnitude and duration were compared at the two sites and diversity gain was calculated. These results exceeded standard diversity gain model predictions by several decibels. Rain statistics from tipping bucket data and from radar data were also compared to signal attenuation. The nature of Florida's subtropical rainfall, specifically its impact on signal attenuation at the sites, was addressed.

Large scale rainfall diversity and satellite propagation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, H. P.; Vogel, W. J.

1992-01-01

From the NOAA 15 minute precipitation file for the U.S., data was selected for 128 stations covering a 17 year period and the probability of simultaneous rainfall at several stations was calculated. We assumed that the chosen stations were located in separate beams of a multi-beam communications satellite with shared fade mitigation resources. In order to estimate the demands made on these resources, we determined the number of stations at which rainfall rates exceeded 10 to 40 mm/hr. We found a 1 percent probability that at least 5 of the 128 stations have rain at or over 10 mm/hr in any 15 minute interval. Rain at 2 stations was found to correlate over distances less than about 600 miles.

A study of land mobile satellite service multipath effects using SATLAB software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Richard L.

1991-01-01

A software package is proposed that uses the known properties of signals received in multipath environments along with the mathematical relationships between signal characteristics to explore the effects of antenna pattern, vehicle velocity, shadowing of the direct wave, distributions of scatters around the moving vehicle and levels of scattered signals on the received complex envelope, fade rates and fade duration, Doppler spectrum, signal arrival angle spectrum, and spatial correlation. The data base may be either actual measured received signals entered as ASCII flat files or data synthesized using a built in model. An example illustrates the effect of using different antennas to receive signals in the same environment.

Rain Rate Statistics in Southern New Mexico

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paulic, Frank J., Jr.; Horan, Stephen

1997-01-01

The methodology used in determining empirical rain-rate distributions for Southern New Mexico in the vicinity of White Sands APT site is discussed. The hardware and the software developed to extract rain rate from the rain accumulation data collected at White Sands APT site are described. The accuracy of Crane's Global Model for rain rate predictions is analyzed.

How does signal fade on photo-stimulable storage phosphor imaging plates when scanned with a delay and what is the effect on image quality?

PubMed

Ang, Dan B; Angelopoulos, Christos; Katz, Jerald O

2006-11-01

The goals of this in vitro study were to determine the effect of signal fading of DenOptix photo-stimulable storage phosphor imaging plates scanned with a delay and to determine the effect on the diagnostic quality of the image. In addition, we sought to correlate signal fading with image spatial resolution and average pixel intensity values. Forty-eight images were obtained of a test specimen apparatus and scanned at 6 delayed time intervals: immediately scanned, 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, 72 hours, and 168 hours. Six general dentists using Vixwin2000 software performed a measuring task to determine the location of an endodontic file tip and root apex. One-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine the effect of signal fading (delayed scan time) on diagnostic image quality and average pixel intensity value. There was no statistically significant difference in diagnostic image quality resulting from signal fading. No difference was observed in spatial resolution of the images. There was a statistically significant difference in the pixel intensity analysis of an 8-step aluminum wedge between immediate scanning and 24-hour delayed scan time. There was an effect of delayed scanning on the average pixel intensity value. However, there was no effect on image quality and raters' ability to perform a clinical identification task. Proprietary software of the DenOptix digital imaging system demonstrates an excellent ability to process a delayed scan time signal and create an image of diagnostic quality.

Slant path rain attenuation and path diversity statistics obtained through radar modeling of rain structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, J.

1984-01-01

Single and joint terminal slant path attenuation statistics at frequencies of 28.56 and 19.04 GHz have been derived, employing a radar data base obtained over a three-year period at Wallops Island, VA. Statistics were independently obtained for path elevation angles of 20, 45, and 90 deg for purposes of examining how elevation angles influences both single-terminal and joint probability distributions. Both diversity gains and autocorrelation function dependence on site spacing and elevation angles were determined employing the radar modeling results. Comparisons with other investigators are presented. An independent path elevation angle prediction technique was developed and demonstrated to fit well with the radar-derived single and joint terminal radar-derived cumulative fade distributions at various elevation angles.

Communication Systems through Artificial Earth Satellites (Selected Pages)

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-02-05

A. The speaking currents of this subscriber from equipment AP come through AC only into the two-wire circuit, but also are branched/ shunted to AY, and...distribution of cloud cover. The evaluation, based on the statistic study of clouds [3.3) and rains of South England, at A=50 at the frequency of 4 GHz... Studies of conditions for passage of radio waves through disturbed ionosphere showed [3.16] that aurorae polares increase speed of fadings and are

Acid Rain

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bricker, Owen P.; Rice, Karen C.

1995-01-01

Although acid rain is fading as a political issue in the United States and funds for research in this area have largely disappeared, the acidity of rain in the Eastern United States has not changed significantly over the last decade, and it continues to be a serious environmental problem. Acid deposition (commonly called acid rain) is a term applied to all forms of atmospheric deposition of acidic substances - rain, snow, fog, acidic dry particulates, aerosols, and acid-forming gases. Water in the atmosphere reacts with certain atmospheric gases to become acidic. For example, water reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to produce a solution with a pH of about 5.6. Gases that produce acids in the presence of water in the atmosphere include carbon dioxide (which converts to carbonic acid), oxides of sulfur and nitrogen (which convert to sulfuric and nitric acids}, and hydrogen chloride (which converts to hydrochloric acid). These acid-producing gases are released to the atmosphere through natural processes, such as volcanic emissions, lightning, forest fires, and decay of organic matter. Accordingly, precipitation is slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.0 to 5.7 even in undeveloped areas. In industrialized areas, most of the acid-producing gases are released to the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels. Major emitters of acid-producing gases include power plants, industrial operations, and motor vehicles. Acid-producing gases can be transported through the atmosphere for hundreds of miles before being converted to acids and deposited as acid rain. Because acids tend to build up in the atmosphere between storms, the most acidic rain falls at the beginning of a storm, and as the rain continues, the acids "wash out" of the atmosphere.

Two Years of Site Diversity Measurements in Guam, USA

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acosta, Roberto J.; Morse, J.; Zemba, M.; Nessel, J.

2012-01-01

As NASA communication networks upgrade to higher frequencies, such as Ka-Band, atmospherically induced attenuation can become significant. This attenuation is caused by rain, clouds and atmospheric gases (oxygen and water vapor), with rain having the most noticeable effects. One technique to circumvent the increase in attenuation is to operate two terminals separated by a distance that exceeds the average rain cell size. The fact that rain cells are of finite size can then be exploited by rerouting the signal to the terminal with the strongest link. This technique, known as site diversity, is best suited for climates that have compact (less than 2km) and intense rain cells such as in Guam. In order to study the potential diversity gain at the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Remote Ground Terminal (GRGT) complex in Guam a site test interferometer (STI) was installed in May of 2010. The STI is composed of two terminals with a 900m baseline that observe the same unmodulated beacon signal broadcast from a geostationary satellite (e.g., UFO 8). The potential site diversity gain is calculated by measuring the difference in signal attenuation seen at each terminal. Over the two years of data collection the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the site diversity gain shows a better than 3 dB improvement for 90% of the time over standard operation. These results show that the use of site diversity in Guam can be very effective in combating rain fades.

Propagation considerations in the American Mobile Satellite system design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kittiver, Charles; Sigler, Charles E., Jr.

1993-01-01

An overview of the American Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC) mobile satellite services (MSS) system with special emphasis given to the propagation issues that were considered in the design is presented. The aspects of the voice codec design that effect system performance in a shadowed environment are discussed. The strategies for overcoming Ku-Band rain fades in the uplink and downlink paths of the gateway station are presented. A land mobile propagation study that has both measurement and simulation activities is described.

The influence of polarization on millimeter wave propagation through rain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bostian, C. W.; Stutzman, W. L.; Wiley, P. H.; Marshall, R. E.

1974-01-01

The limitations which precipitation depolarization will place on future millimeter wave earth-satellite communications systems employing orthogonal-polarization frequency sharing was studied and the possibility of improving the fade resistance of such systems either through polarization diversity operation or by the choice of the polarization(s) least subject to attenuation was examined. Efforts were confined largely to ground-based communications systems investigated during a twenty-seven month period. Plans to extend the theoretical results to satellite systems are discussed.

CTS attenuation and cross polarization measurements at 11.7 GHz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, W. J.

1980-01-01

The long-term attenuation, cross-polarization, and rain-rate data monitored in Austin, Texas from the circularly polarized 11.7 GHz satellite beacon transmitter aboard the Communications Technology Satellite are analyzed. Data events are significantly more likely during April-September, than during October-March, except for ice deplorization which predominates during the winter months. A time of day dependence of the events is also noted. The 10 dB fade level is exceeded for .03% during the thunderstorm months. Isolation with the same probability is 23 dB.

Study of rain attenuation in Ka band for satellite communication in South Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shrestha, Sujan; Choi, Dong-You

2016-10-01

The important factor to be considered in the link budget estimation for satellite communication systems, operating at frequencies above 10 GHz is the rain attenuation. Scattering and absorption are the main concern for system designers at these frequency bands. This has resulted in the need for suitable prediction models that can best provide estimates of attenuation due to rain with available information of rain attenuation data. Researchers have developed models that can be used to estimate 1-min rainfall attenuation distribution for earth space link but there is still some confusion with regard to choosing the right model to predict attenuation for the location of interest. In this context, the existing prediction models need to be tested against the measured results. This paper presents studies on rain attenuation at 19.8 GHz, which specifies the performance parameters for Ka-Band under earth space communication system. It presents the experimental result of rain rates and rain-induced attenuation in 19.8 and 20.73 GHz for vertical and circular polarization respectively. The received signal data for rain attenuation and rain rate were collected at 10 s intervals over a three year periods from 2013 to 2015. The data highlights the impact of clear air variation and rain fade loss. Rain rate data was measured through OTT Parsivel. During the observation period, rain rates of about 50 mm/h and attenuation values of 11.6 dB for 0.01% of the time were noted. The experimental link was set up at Korea Radio Promotion Association, Mokdong, Seoul. Out of several models, this paper present discussion and comparison of ITU-R P.618-12, Unified Method, Dissanayake Allnutt and Haidara (DAH), Simple Attenuation (SAM), Crane Global and Ramachandran and Kumar models. The relative error margin of 27.51, 89.84,72.46% and 67.24, 130.84, 166.48% are obtained for 0.1%, 0.01% and 0.001% of the time for 19.8 and 20.73 GHz under vertical and circular polarization respectively from ITU-R P. 618-12 method which has been analyzed in the further section of this article. In order to obtain the better approximation of rain induced attenuation, the suitable method is proposed for earth space link whose efficiency have been compared with prominent rain attenuation models. The method provides useful information for system engineers and researchers in making a decision over the choice of suitable rain attenuation prediction method for earth space communication operating in the South Korea region.

LERC-SLAM - THE NASA LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER SATELLITE LINK ATTENUATION MODEL PROGRAM (MACINTOSH VERSION)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manning, R. M.

1994-01-01

The frequency and intensity of rain attenuation affecting the communication between a satellite and an earth terminal is an important consideration in planning satellite links. The NASA Lewis Research Center Satellite Link Attenuation Model Program (LeRC-SLAM) provides a static and dynamic statistical assessment of the impact of rain attenuation on a communications link established between an earth terminal and a geosynchronous satellite. The program is designed for use in the specification, design and assessment of satellite links for any terminal location in the continental United States. The basis for LeRC-SLAM is the ACTS Rain Attenuation Prediction Model, which uses a log-normal cumulative probability distribution to describe the random process of rain attenuation on satellite links. The derivation of the statistics for the rainrate process at the specified terminal location relies on long term rainfall records compiled by the U.S. Weather Service during time periods of up to 55 years in length. The theory of extreme value statistics is also utilized. The user provides 1) the longitudinal position of the satellite in geosynchronous orbit, 2) the geographical position of the earth terminal in terms of latitude and longitude, 3) the height above sea level of the terminal site, 4) the yearly average rainfall at the terminal site, and 5) the operating frequency of the communications link (within 1 to 1000 GHz, inclusive). Based on the yearly average rainfall at the terminal location, LeRC-SLAM calculates the relevant rain statistics for the site using an internal data base. The program then generates rain attenuation data for the satellite link. This data includes a description of the static (i.e., yearly) attenuation process, an evaluation of the cumulative probability distribution for attenuation effects, and an evaluation of the probability of fades below selected fade depths. In addition, LeRC-SLAM calculates the elevation and azimuth angles of the terminal antenna required to establish a link with the satellite, the statistical parameters that characterize the rainrate process at the terminal site, the length of the propagation path within the potential rain region, and its projected length onto the local horizontal. The IBM PC version of LeRC-SLAM (LEW-14979) is written in Microsoft QuickBASIC for an IBM PC compatible computer with a monitor and printer capable of supporting an 80-column format. The IBM PC version is available on a 5.25 inch MS-DOS format diskette. The program requires about 30K RAM. The source code and executable are included. The Macintosh version of LeRC-SLAM (LEW-14977) is written in Microsoft Basic, Binary (b) v2.00 for Macintosh II series computers running MacOS. This version requires 400K RAM and is available on a 3.5 inch 800K Macintosh format diskette, which includes source code only. The Macintosh version was developed in 1987 and the IBM PC version was developed in 1989. IBM PC is a trademark of International Business Machines. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

LERC-SLAM - THE NASA LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER SATELLITE LINK ATTENUATION MODEL PROGRAM (IBM PC VERSION)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manning, R. M.

1994-01-01

The frequency and intensity of rain attenuation affecting the communication between a satellite and an earth terminal is an important consideration in planning satellite links. The NASA Lewis Research Center Satellite Link Attenuation Model Program (LeRC-SLAM) provides a static and dynamic statistical assessment of the impact of rain attenuation on a communications link established between an earth terminal and a geosynchronous satellite. The program is designed for use in the specification, design and assessment of satellite links for any terminal location in the continental United States. The basis for LeRC-SLAM is the ACTS Rain Attenuation Prediction Model, which uses a log-normal cumulative probability distribution to describe the random process of rain attenuation on satellite links. The derivation of the statistics for the rainrate process at the specified terminal location relies on long term rainfall records compiled by the U.S. Weather Service during time periods of up to 55 years in length. The theory of extreme value statistics is also utilized. The user provides 1) the longitudinal position of the satellite in geosynchronous orbit, 2) the geographical position of the earth terminal in terms of latitude and longitude, 3) the height above sea level of the terminal site, 4) the yearly average rainfall at the terminal site, and 5) the operating frequency of the communications link (within 1 to 1000 GHz, inclusive). Based on the yearly average rainfall at the terminal location, LeRC-SLAM calculates the relevant rain statistics for the site using an internal data base. The program then generates rain attenuation data for the satellite link. This data includes a description of the static (i.e., yearly) attenuation process, an evaluation of the cumulative probability distribution for attenuation effects, and an evaluation of the probability of fades below selected fade depths. In addition, LeRC-SLAM calculates the elevation and azimuth angles of the terminal antenna required to establish a link with the satellite, the statistical parameters that characterize the rainrate process at the terminal site, the length of the propagation path within the potential rain region, and its projected length onto the local horizontal. The IBM PC version of LeRC-SLAM (LEW-14979) is written in Microsoft QuickBASIC for an IBM PC compatible computer with a monitor and printer capable of supporting an 80-column format. The IBM PC version is available on a 5.25 inch MS-DOS format diskette. The program requires about 30K RAM. The source code and executable are included. The Macintosh version of LeRC-SLAM (LEW-14977) is written in Microsoft Basic, Binary (b) v2.00 for Macintosh II series computers running MacOS. This version requires 400K RAM and is available on a 3.5 inch 800K Macintosh format diskette, which includes source code only. The Macintosh version was developed in 1987 and the IBM PC version was developed in 1989. IBM PC is a trademark of International Business Machines. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS): Design and on-orbit performance measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gargione, F.; Acosta, R.; Coney, T.; Krawczyk, R.

1995-01-01

The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS), developed and built by Lockheed Martin Astro space for the NASA Lewis Research Center, was launched in September 1993 on the shuttle STS 51 mission. ACTS is a digital experimental communications test bed that incorporates gigahertz bandwidth transponders operating at Ka band, hopping spot beams, on-board storage and switching, and dynamic rain fade compensation. This paper describes the ACTS enabling technologies, the design of the communications payload, the constraints imposed on the spacecraft bus, and the measurements conducted to verify the performance of the system in orbit.

Olympus propagation studies in the US: Receiver development and the data acquisition system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mckeeman, John C.

1990-01-01

Virginia Tech has developed two types of receivers to monitor the Olympus beacons, as well as a custom data acquisition system to store and display propagation data. Each of the receiver designs uses new hybrid analog/digital techniques. The data acquisition system uses a stand alone processor to collect and format the data for display and subsequent processing. The launch of the Olympus satellite with its coherent beacons offers new opportunities to study propagation effects at 12.5, 20, and 30 GHz. At Virginia Tech, the satellite is at 14 degrees in elevation, which allows us to measure low elevation angle effects. However, to make these measurements, a very accurate and stable measurement system is required. Virginia Tech has constructed a complex receiving system which monitors the Olympus beacons and all parameters associated with propagation research. In the current configuration, researchers have developed a receiver which frequency locks to the less fade susceptible 12.5 GHz beacon. Since all beacons on the satellite are driven from a single master oscillator, drift in the 12.5 GHz beacon implies corresponding drifts in the 20, and 30 GHz beacons. The receivers for the 20 and 30 GHz systems derive their frequency locking information from the 12.5 GHz system. This widens the dynamic range of the receivers and allows the receivers to maintain lock in severe fade conditions. In addition to monitoring the beacons, the sky noise is monitored with radiometers at each frequency. The radiometer output is used to set the clear air level for each beacon measurement. Researchers also measure the rain rate with several tipping bucket rain gauges placed along the propagation path.

A 15.3 GHz satellite-to-ground diversity propagation experiment using a terminal separation of 4 kilometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grimm, K. R.; Hodge, D. B.

1971-01-01

The performance of a path diversity satellite-to-ground millimeter wave link with two ground terminals separated by 4 km is discussed. At this separation distance the duration of fades below 6 dB was decreased by at least a factor of 10 when using path diversity and the cumulative crosscorrelation between the attenuations observed at the two terminals during rain events was approximately 0.45. Narrow beam radiometers directed along the propagation paths were also utilized to relate the path radiometric temperature to the path attenuation. An analysis of downlink propagation data for generating diversity link performance statistics is included.

ACTS TDMA network control. [Advanced Communication Technology Satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Inukai, T.; Campanella, S. J.

1984-01-01

This paper presents basic network control concepts for the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) System. Two experimental systems, called the low-burst-rate and high-burst-rate systems, along with ACTS ground system features, are described. The network control issues addressed include frame structures, acquisition and synchronization procedures, coordinated station burst-time plan and satellite-time plan changes, on-board clock control based on ground drift measurements, rain fade control by means of adaptive forward-error-correction (FEC) coding and transmit power augmentation, and reassignment of channel capacities on demand. The NASA ground system, which includes a primary station, diversity station, and master control station, is also described.

Diversity reception of COMSTAR SHF beacons with the Tampa triad, 1978 - 1981

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, D.; Tang, D. D.

1982-01-01

The results of 19 GHz downlink rain attenuation diversity measurements in Tampa over a 29 month period (1978-1980), and the results of a 20 GHz diversity study during the summer of 1981, using the remaining COMSTAR beacon are presented. At 19 GHz, site separations of 11, 16, and 20 km were used, with reception at high elevation angle (about 57 deg). At 29 GHz, only the 16 km baseline was employed, with elevation angle about 32 deg. Almost identical long term performance of the two longer baselines indicates that for separations above about 15 km diversity improvement was not sensitive to baseline length or direction. Diversity improvement at 29 GHz with the 16 km baseline was similar to that predicted by scaling the 19 GHz results of the previous seasons. Also discussed are the type of attenuation distributions and typical fade durations to be found under persistent convective conditions. For rain climates like Tampa's, site diversity in some form will be required for high reliability SHF satellite links. The diversity data may be helpful in designing schemes for resource sharing among numbers of links.

Assistant for Analyzing Tropical-Rain-Mapping Radar Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

James, Mark

2006-01-01

A document is defined that describes an approach for a Tropical Rain Mapping Radar Data System (TDS). TDS is composed of software and hardware elements incorporating a two-frequency spaceborne radar system for measuring tropical precipitation. The TDS would be used primarily in generating data products for scientific investigations. The most novel part of the TDS would be expert-system software to aid in the selection of algorithms for converting raw radar-return data into such primary observables as rain rate, path-integrated rain rate, and surface backscatter. The expert-system approach would address the issue that selection of algorithms for processing the data requires a significant amount of preprocessing, non-intuitive reasoning, and heuristic application, making it infeasible, in many cases, to select the proper algorithm in real time. In the TDS, tentative selections would be made to enable conversions in real time. The expert system would remove straightforwardly convertible data from further consideration, and would examine ambiguous data, performing analysis in depth to determine which algorithms to select. Conversions performed by these algorithms, presumed to be correct, would be compared with the corresponding real-time conversions. Incorrect real-time conversions would be updated using the correct conversions.

Rain rate instrument for deployment at sea, phase 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steele, Jimmy W.

1992-01-01

This report describes, in detail, the SBIR Phase 2 contracting effort provided for by NASA Contract Number NAS8-38481 in which a prototype Rain Rate Sensor was developed. FWG Model RP101A is a fully functional rain rate and droplet size analyzing instrument. The RP101A is a fully functional rain rate and droplet size analyzing instrument. The RP101A consists of a fiber optic probe containing a 32-fiber array connected to an electronic signal processor. When interfaced to an IBM compatible personal computer and configured with appropriate software, the RP101A is capable of measuring rain rates and particles ranging in size from around 300 microns up to 6 to 7 millimeters. FWG Associates, Inc. intends to develop a production model from the prototype and continue the effort under NASA's SBIR Phase 3 program.

Short-term prediction of rain attenuation level and volatility in Earth-to-Satellite links at EHF band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Montera, L.; Mallet, C.; Barthès, L.; Golé, P.

2008-08-01

This paper shows how nonlinear models originally developed in the finance field can be used to predict rain attenuation level and volatility in Earth-to-Satellite links operating at the Extremely High Frequencies band (EHF, 20 50 GHz). A common approach to solving this problem is to consider that the prediction error corresponds only to scintillations, whose variance is assumed to be constant. Nevertheless, this assumption does not seem to be realistic because of the heteroscedasticity of error time series: the variance of the prediction error is found to be time-varying and has to be modeled. Since rain attenuation time series behave similarly to certain stocks or foreign exchange rates, a switching ARIMA/GARCH model was implemented. The originality of this model is that not only the attenuation level, but also the error conditional distribution are predicted. It allows an accurate upper-bound of the future attenuation to be estimated in real time that minimizes the cost of Fade Mitigation Techniques (FMT) and therefore enables the communication system to reach a high percentage of availability. The performance of the switching ARIMA/GARCH model was estimated using a measurement database of the Olympus satellite 20/30 GHz beacons and this model is shown to outperform significantly other existing models. The model also includes frequency scaling from the downlink frequency to the uplink frequency. The attenuation effects (gases, clouds and rain) are first separated with a neural network and then scaled using specific scaling factors. As to the resulting uplink prediction error, the error contribution of the frequency scaling step is shown to be larger than that of the downlink prediction, indicating that further study should focus on improving the accuracy of the scaling factor.

Healthy satellites provide quality service

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margittai, Paul

The procedures used by Telesat Canada to ensure the performance of Anik satellites is described. At the Satellite Telemetry, Tracking and Command station, each Anik satellite has its own dedicated antenna. Telemetered information from the satellites is received, processed and forwarded to the Satellite Control Center. There the satellite controllers issue all commands to the satellites, and continually monitor the telemetered data. These data, describing the state of health of the satellites, are then analyzed by engineering specialists. The satellites are held in their precise orbital positions by means of specially developed software. The Anik C and D satellites employ travelling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) in the transpounder channels. The TWTA saturated flux density (SFD) and equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) are regularly measured and their trends scrutinized. This ensures that customers receive the radio frequency power needed for high-quality service. The satellite electrical power is supplied by the solar cell array and batteries. Power system performance is evaluated regularly to ensure that power is available to operate the required number of TWTAs. In addition to rain-fades, short service interruptions can be caused by high voltage trip-offs of TWTAs, and by electrostatic discharge related anomalies. To minimize these interruptions, Telesat ensures that the satellite controllers are fully trained and prepared for any eventuality, and the relevant operational procedures are continually refined. A fully trained staff of satellite controllers keep interruptions caused by high voltage trip-offs of TWTAs and by electrostatic discharge to a minimum.

Acid Rain Data System: Progressive application of information technology for operation of a market-based environmental program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Price, D.A.

1995-12-31

Under the Acid Rain Program, by statute and regulation, affected utility units are allocated annual allowances. Each allowance permits a unit to emit one ton of SO{sub 2} during or after a specified year. At year end, utilities must hold allowances equal to or greater than the cumulative SO{sub 2} emissions throughout the year from their affected units. The program has been developing, on a staged basis, two major computer-based information systems: the Allowance Tracking System (ATS) for tracking creation, transfer, and ultimate use of allowances; and the Emissions Tracking System (ETS) for transmission, receipt, processing, and inventory of continuousmore » emissions monitoring (CEM) data. The systems collectively form a logical Acid Rain Data System (ARDS). ARDS will be the largest information system ever used to operate and evaluate an environmental program. The paper describes the progressive software engineering approach the Acid Rain Program has been using to develop ARDS. Iterative software version releases, keyed to critical program deadlines, add the functionality required to support specific statutory and regulatory provisions. Each software release also incorporates continual improvements for efficiency, user-friendliness, and lower life-cycle costs. The program is migrating the independent ATS and ETS systems into a logically coordinated True-Up processing model, to support the end-of-year reconciliation for balancing allowance holdings against annual emissions and compliance plans for Phase 1 affected utility units. The paper provides specific examples and data to illustrate exciting applications of today`s information technology in ARDS.« less

Emile: Software-Realized Scaffolding for Science Learners Programming in Mixed Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guzdial, Mark Joseph

Emile is a computer program that facilitates students using programming to create models of kinematics (physics of motion without forces) and executing these models as simulations. Emile facilitates student programming and model-building with software-realized scaffolding (SRS). Emile integrates a range of SRS and provides mechanisms to fade (or diminish) most scaffolding. By fading Emile's SRS, students can adapt support to their individual needs. Programming in Emile involves graphic and text elements (as compared with more traditional text-based programming). For example, students create graphical objects which can be dragged on the screen, and when dropped, fall as if in a gravitational field. Emile supports a simplified, HyperCard-like mixed media programming framework. Scaffolding is defined as support which enables student performance (called the immediate benefit of scaffolding) and which facilitates student learning (called the lasting benefit of scaffolding). Scaffolding provides this support through three methods: Modeling, coaching, and eliciting articulation. For example, Emile has tools to structure the programming task (modeling), menus identify the next step in the programming and model-building process (coaching), and prompts for student plans and predictions (eliciting articulation). Five students used Emile in a summer workshop (45 hours total) focusing on creating kinematics simulations and multimedia demonstrations. Evaluation of Emile's scaffolding addressed use of scaffolding and the expected immediate and lasting benefits. Emile created records of student interactions (log files) which were analyzed to determine how students used Emile's SRS and how they faded that scaffolding. Student projects and articulations about those projects were analyzed to assess success of student's model-building and programming activities. Clinical interviews were conducted before and after the workshop to determine students' conceptualizations of kinematics and programming and how they changed. The results indicate that students were successful at model-building and programming, learned physics and programming, and used and faded Emile's scaffolding over time. These results are from a small sample who were self -selected and highly-motivated. Nonetheless, this study provides a theory and operationalization for SRS, an example of a successful model-building environment, and a description of student use of mixed media programming.

A database for propagation models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kantak, Anil V.; Suwitra, Krisjani; Le, Choung

1994-01-01

A database of various propagation phenomena models that can be used by telecommunications systems engineers to obtain parameter values for systems design is presented. This is an easy-to-use tool and is currently available for either a PC using Excel software under Windows environment or a Macintosh using Excel software for Macintosh. All the steps necessary to use the software are easy and many times self-explanatory; however, a sample run of the CCIR rain attenuation model is presented.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow: the Story of U Sco

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menke, John L.

The normally 18th mag eclipsing binary star, U Scorpii, is one of a handful of recurrent nova with a history of outbursts approximately every 20-30 years. In 2005, Brad Schaefer, a professional astronomer, evaluated the mass transfer processes and predicted an outburst on 2009.3 ± 1 yr and contacted the AAVSO for amateur assistance in monitoring the star. On the morning of 2010 Jan 28, Barbara Harris in Florida made the first observation of the outburst at V ~ 8, with U Sco already fading. Professionals and amateurs went into action, observing the object in every way possible, with Brad Schaefer serving as a clearing house for much of the work. With two observatories, I was able to follow the fading star using both photometric and spectroscopic methods. This paper describes the observing techniques I used and modifications to the spectrometer and associated software that allowed me to follow the fading star even as the spectrum dropped 20x below the local light pollution! I also describe my experience in working with Brad Schaefer, and ultimately, in providing finished data for his analysts to use in evaluating the U Sco outburst along with the satisfaction of being told "..your data are as good as the professionals.."

A High Precision $3.50 Open Source 3D Printed Rain Gauge Calibrator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez Alcala, J. M.; Udell, C.; Selker, J. S.

2017-12-01

Currently available rain gauge calibrators tend to be designed for specific rain gauges, are expensive, employ low-precision water reservoirs, and do not offer the flexibility needed to test the ever more popular small-aperture rain gauges. The objective of this project was to develop and validate a freely downloadable, open-source, 3D printed rain gauge calibrator that can be adjusted for a wide range of gauges. The proposed calibrator provides for applying low, medium, and high intensity flow, and allows the user to modify the design to conform to unique system specifications based on parametric design, which may be modified and printed using CAD software. To overcome the fact that different 3D printers yield different print qualities, we devised a simple post-printing step that controlled critical dimensions to assure robust performance. Specifically, the three orifices of the calibrator are drilled to reach the three target flow rates. Laboratory tests showed that flow rates were consistent between prints, and between trials of each part, while the total applied water was precisely controlled by the use of a volumetric flask as the reservoir.

Presynaptic M1, M2, and A1 receptors play roles in tetanic fade induced by pancuronium or cisatracurium.

PubMed

Bornia, Elaine Campana Sanches; Bando, Erika; Machinski, Miguel; Pereira, Monalisa Wolski; Alves-Do-Prado, Wilson

2009-01-01

We investigated whether presynaptic facilitatory M1 and/or inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors contributed to pancuronium- and cisatracurium-induced tetanic fade. Phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparations of rats were indirectly stimulated with tetanic frequency (75 +/- 3.3 Hz; mean +/- SD). Doses of pancuronium, cisatracurium, hexamethonium, and d-tubocurarine for producing approximately 25% fade were determined. The effects of pirenzepine and methoctramine, blockers of presynaptic M1 and M2 receptors, respectively, on the tetanic fade were investigated. The concentrations required for approximately 25% fade were 413 microM for hexamethonium (26.8 +/- 2.4% 4% fade), 55 nM for d-tubocurarine (28.7 +/- 2.55% fade), 0.32 microM for pancuronium (25.4 +/- 2.2% fade), and 0.32 microM for cisatracurium (24.7 +/- 0.8% fade). Pirenzepine or methoctramine alone did not produce the fade. Methoctramine, 1 microM, attenuated the fade induced by hexamethonium (to 16.0 +/- 2.5% fade), d-tubocurarine (to 6.0 +/- 1.6 fade), pancuronium (to 8.0 +/- 4.0% fade), and cisatracurium (to 11.0 +/- 3.3% fade). 10 nM pirenzepine attenuated only the fades produced by pancuronium (to 5.0 +/- 0.11% fade) and cisatracurium (to 13.3 +/- 5.3% fade). Cisatracurium (0.32 microM) showed antiacetylcholinesterase activity (in plasma, 14.2 +/- 1.6%; 6%; in erythrocyt 17.2 +/- 2.66%) similar to that of pancuronium (0.32 microM). The selective A1 receptor blocker, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX; 2.5 nM), also attenuated the fades induced by pancuronium and cisatracurium. The tetanic fades produced by pancuronium and cisatracurium depend on the activation of presynaptic inhibitory M2 receptors; these agents also have anticholinesterase activities. The fades induced by these agents also depend on the activation of presynaptic inhibitory A1 receptors through the activation of stimulatory M1 receptors by acetylcholine.

Defense Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). Volume 4. Defense Agencies Abstracts of Phase 1 Awards 1992

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

perturbations and nonstationary interference effects so as to reduce decoding 13 DARPA SBIR PHASE I AWARDS errors for spread spectrum communications...potential applications - Utilization of spread spectrum techniques by DoD and others is increasing because ot robusines, to interference and fading...Mirror Devices ( DMD ) illuminated by a low power laser diode or led will be considered as a source. Commercial optical software in conjunction with in

Software Architecture of Sensor Data Distribution In Planetary Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Charles; Alena, Richard; Stone, Thom; Ossenfort, John; Walker, Ed; Notario, Hugo

2006-01-01

Data from mobile and stationary sensors will be vital in planetary surface exploration. The distribution and collection of sensor data in an ad-hoc wireless network presents a challenge. Irregular terrain, mobile nodes, new associations with access points and repeaters with stronger signals as the network reconfigures to adapt to new conditions, signal fade and hardware failures can cause: a) Data errors; b) Out of sequence packets; c) Duplicate packets; and d) Drop out periods (when node is not connected). To mitigate the effects of these impairments, a robust and reliable software architecture must be implemented. This architecture must also be tolerant of communications outages. This paper describes such a robust and reliable software infrastructure that meets the challenges of a distributed ad hoc network in a difficult environment and presents the results of actual field experiments testing the principles and actual code developed.

Correlation Assessment of Climate and Geographic Distribution of Tuberculosis Using Geographical Information System (GIS).

PubMed

Beiranvand, Reza; Karimi, Asrin; Delpisheh, Ali; Sayehmiri, Kourosh; Soleimani, Samira; Ghalavandi, Shahnaz

2016-01-01

Tuberculosis (TB) spread pattern is influenced by geographic and social factors. Nowadays Geographic Information System (GIS) is one of the most important epidemiological instrumentation identifying high-risk population groups and geographic areas of TB. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between climate and geographic distribution of TB in Khuzestan Province using GIS during 2005-2012. Through an ecological study, all 6363 patients with definite diagnosis of TB from 2005 until the end of September 2012 in Khuzestan Province, southern Iran were diagnosed. Data were recorded using TB- Register software. Tuberculosis incidence based on the climate and the average of annual rain was evaluated using GIS. Data were analyzed through SPSS software. Independent t-test, ANOVA, Linear regression, Pearson and Eta correlation coefficient with a significance level of less than 5% were used for the statistical analysis. The TB incidence was different in various geographic conditions. The highest mean of TB cumulative incidence rate was observed in extra dry areas (P= 0.017). There was a significant inverse correlation between annual rain rate and TB incidence rate (R= -0.45, P= 0.001). The lowest TB incidence rate (0-100 cases per 100,000) was in areas with the average of annual rain more than 1000 mm (P= 0.003). The risk of TB has a strong relationship with climate and the average of annual rain, so that the risk of TB in areas with low annual rainfall and extra dry climate is more than other regions. Services and special cares to high-risk regions of TB are recommended.

Statistical and Prediction modeling of the Ka Band Using Experimental Results from ACTS Propagation Terminals at 20.185 and 27.505 GHZ

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ogunwuyi, Oluwatosin O.

2004-01-01

With the increase in demand for wireless communication services, most of the operating frequency bands have become very congested. The increase of wireless costumers is only fractional contribution to this phenomenon. The demand for more services such as video streams and internet explorer which require a lot of band width has been a more significant contributor to the congestion in a communication system. One way to increase the amount of information or data per unit of time transmitted with in a wireless communication system is to use a higher radio frequency. However in spite the advantage available in the using higher frequency bands such as, the Ka-band, higher frequencies also implies short wavelengths. And shorter wavelengths are more susceptible to rain attenuation. Until the Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) was launched, the Ka- band frequency was virtually unused - the majority of communication satellites operated in lower frequency bands called the C- and Ku- bands. Ka-band is desirable because its higher frequency allows wide bandwidth applications, smaller spacecraft and ground terminal components, and stronger signal strength. Since the Ka-band is a high frequency band, the millimeter wavelengths of the signals are easily degraded by rain. This problem known as rain fade or rain attenuation The Advanced Communication Technology Satellite (ACTS) propagation experiment has collected 5 years of Radio Frequency (RF) attenuation data from December 1993 to November 1997. The objective of my summer work is to help develop the statistics and prediction techniques that will help to better characterize the Ka Frequency band. The statistical analysis consists of seasonal and cumulative five-year attenuation statistics for the 20.2 and 27.5 GHz. The cumulative five-year results give the link outage that occurs for a given link margin. The experiment has seven ground station terminals that can be attributed to a unique rain zone climate. The locations are White Sands, NM, Tampa, Fly Clarksburg, MD, Norman, OK, Ft. Collins, COY Vancouver, BC, and Fairbanks, AK. The analysis will help us to develop and define specific parameters that will help system engineers develop the appropriated instrumentation and structure for a Ka-band wireless communication systems and networks.

Chirp-aided power fading mitigation for upstream 100 km full-range long reach PON with DBR DML

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Kuo; He, Hao; Xin, Haiyun; Hu, Weisheng; Liang, Song; Lu, Dan; Zhao, Lingjuan

2018-01-01

The DML is a promising option for cost-sensitive ONUs in optical access networks, but suffers from severe power fading due to dispersion and chirp. In this work, we investigate to mitigate the power fading by optimizing the chirp. Theoretical analysis indicates, a see-saw effect, influenced by the bias, exists between the adiabatic notch-induced fading (A-fading) and the transient notch-induced fading (T-fading). High bias can mitigate T-fading, but causes large A-fading. Low bias can avoid A-fading, but cannot completely mitigate T-fading. For each transmission distance, balance should be achieved to favor transmission. The ∼20 km short distance requires high bias to obtain large adiabatic chirp to counteract the T-fading, while the ∼100 km long distance requires relatively low bias to avoid the A-fading. With this power fading mitigation technique, we conduct upstream transmission experiment of LR-PON. Experiments show that, although signal contamination is inevitable, clear ;1; and ;0; are obtained with this power fading mitigation scheme for any 0 ∼100 km distance with 10 Gb/s OOK signal and DBR DML. The optical power budget penalty induced by 0 ∼100 km fiber is limited within only 2.2 dB, with optimum bias for each distance. More than 10 and 15 dB improvement is achieved when BER is 10-3 and 10-6. A method is also proposed to automatically obtain optimum bias from the ranging procedure of PON protocol.

Tropospheric scintillation prediction models for a high elevation angle based on measured data from a tropical region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdul Rahim, Nadirah Binti; Islam, Md. Rafiqul; J. S., Mandeep; Dao, Hassan; Bashir, Saad Osman

2013-12-01

The recent rapid evolution of new satellite services, including VSAT for internet access, LAN interconnection and multimedia applications, has triggered an increasing demand for bandwidth usage by satellite communications. However, these systems are susceptible to propagation effects that become significant as the frequency increases. Scintillation is the rapid signal fluctuation of the amplitude and phase of a radio wave, which is significant in tropical climates. This paper presents the analysis of the tropospheric scintillation data for satellite to Earth links at the Ku-band. Twelve months of data (January-December 2011) were collected and analyzed to evaluate the effect of tropospheric scintillation. Statistics were then further analyzed to inspect the seasonal, worst-month, diurnal and rain-induced scintillation effects. By employing the measured scintillation data, a modification of the Karasawa model for scintillation fades and enhancements is proposed based on data measured in Malaysia.

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS): Four-Year System Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acosta, Roberto J.; Bauer, Robert; Krawczyk, Richard J.; Reinhart, Richard C.; Zernic, Michael J.; Gargione, Frank

1999-01-01

The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) was conceived at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the late 1970's as a follow-on program to ATS and CTS to continue NASA's long history of satellite communications projects. The ACTS project set the stage for the C-band satellites that started the industry, and later the ACTS project established the use of Ku-band for video distribution and direct-to-home broadcasting. ACTS, launched in September 1993 from the space shuttle, created a revolution in satellite system architecture by using digital communications techniques employing key technologies such as a fast hopping multibeam antenna, an on-board baseband processor, a wide-band microwave switch matrix, adaptive rain fade compensation, and the use of 900 MHz transponders operating at Ka-band frequencies. This paper describes the lessons learned in each of the key ACTS technology areas, as well as in the propagation investigations.

Soil Moisture and Vegetation Effects on GPS Reflectivity From Land

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torres, O.; Grant, M. S.; Bosch, D.

2004-12-01

While originally designed as a navigation system, the GPS signal has been used to achieve a number of useful scientific measurements. One of these measurements utilizes the reflection of the GPS signal from land to determine soil moisture. The study of GPS reflections is based on a bistatic configuration that utilizes forward reflection from the surface. The strength of the GPS signal varies in proportion to surface parameters such as soil moisture, soil type, vegetation cover, and topography. This paper focuses on the effects of soil water content and vegetation cover on the surface based around a reflectivity. A two-part method for calibrating the GPS reflectivity was developed that permits the comparison of the data with surface parameters. The first part of the method relieves the direct signal from any multipath effects, the second part is an over-water calibration that yields a reflectivity independent of the transmitting satellite. The sensitivity of the GPS signal to water in the soil is shown by presenting the increase in reflectivity after rain as compared to before rain. The effect of vegetation on the reflected signal is also presented by the inclusion of leaf area index as a fading parameter in the reflected signal from corn and soy bean fields. The results are compared to extensive surface measurements made as part of the Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX 2002) in Iowa and SMEX 2003 in Georgia.

A New Effort for Atmospherical Forecast: Meteorological Image Processing Software (MIPS) for Astronomical Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shameoni Niaei, M.; Kilic, Y.; Yildiran, B. E.; Yüzlükoglu, F.; Yesilyaprak, C.

2016-12-01

We have described a new software (MIPS) about the analysis and image processing of the meteorological satellite (Meteosat) data for an astronomical observatory. This software will be able to help to make some atmospherical forecast (cloud, humidity, rain) using meteosat data for robotic telescopes. MIPS uses a python library for Eumetsat data that aims to be completely open-source and licenced under GNU/General Public Licence (GPL). MIPS is a platform independent and uses h5py, numpy, and PIL with the general-purpose and high-level programming language Python and the QT framework.

Micro - ring resonator with variety of gap width for acid rain sensing application: preliminary study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulyanti, B.; Ramza, H.; Pawinanto, R. E.; Rahman, J. A.; Ab-Rahman, M. S.; Putro, W. S.; Hasanah, L.; Pantjawati, A. B.

2017-05-01

The acid rain is an environmental disaster that it will be intimidates human life. The development micro-ring resonator sensor created from SOI (Silicon on insulator) and it used to detect acid rain index. In this study, the LUMERICAL software was used to simulate SOI material micro-ring resonator. The result shows the optimum values of fixed parameters from ring resonator have dependent variable in gap width. The layers under ring resonator with silicone (Si) and wafer layer of silicone material (Si) were added to seen three conditions of capability model. Model - 3 is an additional of bottom layer that gives the significant effect on the factor of quality. The optimum value is a peak value that given by the FSR calculation. FSR = 0, it means that is not shows the light propagation in the ring resonator and none of the light coming out on the bus - line.

Simplified hydraulic model of French vertical-flow constructed wetlands.

PubMed

Arias, Luis; Bertrand-Krajewski, Jean-Luc; Molle, Pascal

2014-01-01

Designing vertical-flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) to treat both rain events and dry weather flow is a complex task due to the stochastic nature of rain events. Dynamic models can help to improve design, but they usually prove difficult to handle for designers. This study focuses on the development of a simplified hydraulic model of French VFCWs using an empirical infiltration coefficient--infiltration capacity parameter (ICP). The model was fitted using 60-second-step data collected on two experimental French VFCW systems and compared with Hydrus 1D software. The model revealed a season-by-season evolution of the ICP that could be explained by the mechanical role of reeds. This simplified model makes it possible to define time-course shifts in ponding time and outlet flows. As ponding time hinders oxygen renewal, thus impacting nitrification and organic matter degradation, ponding time limits can be used to fix a reliable design when treating both dry and rain events.

Fade durations in satellite-path mobile radio propagation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmier, Robert G.; Bostian, Charles W.

1986-01-01

Fades on satellite to land mobile radio links are caused by several factors, the most important of which are multipath propagation and vegetative shadowing. Designers of vehicular satellite communications systems require information about the statistics of fade durations in order to overcome or compensate for the fades. Except for a few limiting cases, only the mean fade duration can be determined analytically, and all other statistics must be obtained experimentally or via simulation. This report describes and presents results from a computer program developed at Virginia Tech to simulate satellite path propagation of a mobile station in a rural area. It generates rapidly-fading and slowly-fading signals by separate processes that yield correct cumulative signal distributions and then combines these to simulate the overall signal. This is then analyzed to yield the statistics of fade duration.

Polar cap particle precipitation and aurora: Review and commentary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Newell, Patrick T.; Liou, Kan; Wilson, Gordon R.

2009-02-01

Polar rain has a beautiful set of symmetry properties, individually established, but not previously discussed collectively, which can be organized by a single unifying principle. The key polar rain properties are favored hemisphere (controlled by the interplanetary magnetic field Bx), dawn/dusk gradient (IMF By), merging rate (IMF Bz or more generally d[Phi]MP/dt), nightside/dayside gradient, and seasonal effect. We argue that all five properties involve variants on a single theme: the further downstream a field line exits the magnetosphere (or less directly points toward the solar wind electron heat flux), the weaker the polar rain. This effect is the result of the requirements of charge quasi-neutrality, and because the ion thermal velocity declines and the tailward ion bulk flow velocity rises moving down tail from the frontside magnetopause. Polar cap arcs (or more properly, high-latitude sun-aligned arcs) are largely complementary to the polar rain, occurring most frequently when the dayside merging rate is low, and thus when polar rain is weak. Sun-aligned arcs are often considered as originating either in the polar rain or the expansion of the plasma sheet into the polar cap. In fact three quite distinct types of sun-aligned high-latitude arcs exist, two common, and one rare. One type of arc occurs as intensifications of the polar rain, and is common, but weak, typically <0.1 ergs/cm2 s, and lacks associated ion precipitation. A second category of Sun-aligned arcs with energy flux >0.1 ergs/cm2 s usually occurs adjacent to the auroral oval, and includes ion precipitation. The plasma regime of these common, and at times intense, arcs is often distinct from the oval which they abut. Convection alone does not specify the open/closed nature of these arcs, because multiple narrow convection reversals are common around such arcs, and the arcs themselves can be embedded within flows that are either sunward or anti-sunward. These observational facts do not neatly fit into either a plasma sheet origin or a polar rain origin (e.g., the necessity to abut the auroral oval, and the presence of ions does not fit the properties of polar rain, which can in any event be nearly absent for northward interplanetary magnetic field). One theory is that such arcs are associated with merging tailward of the cusp. Both of these common types of sun-aligned arcs fade within about 30 min of a southward IMF turning. The third, and rarest, category of sun-aligned arcs are intense, well detached from the auroral oval, contain plasma sheet origin ion precipitation as well as electrons, and persist for hours after a southward turning. These intense detached sun-aligned arcs can rapidly cross the polar cap, sometimes multiple times. Most events discussed in the literature as "theta-aurora" do not fit into this category (for example, although they may appear detached in images, they abut the oval in particle data, and do not have the persistence of detached events under southward IMF turnings). It is possible that no single theory can account for all three types of sun-aligned arcs. Solar energetic particle (SEP) events are at times used to demarcate polar cap open/closed boundaries. Although this works at times, examples exist where this method fails (e.g., very quiet conditions for which SEP reaches below L=4), and the method should be used with caution. Finally, it is shown that, although it is rare, the polar cap can at times completely close.

Software for roof defects recognition on aerial photographs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yudin, D.; Naumov, A.; Dolzhenko, A.; Patrakova, E.

2018-05-01

The article presents information on software for roof defects recognition on aerial photographs, made with air drones. An areal image segmentation mechanism is described. It allows detecting roof defects – unsmoothness that causes water stagnation after rain. It is shown that HSV-transformation approach allows quick detection of stagnation areas, their size and perimeters, but is sensitive to shadows and changes of the roofing-types. Deep Fully Convolutional Network software solution eliminates this drawback. The tested data set consists of the roofing photos with defects and binary masks for them. FCN approach gave acceptable results of image segmentation in Dice metric average value. This software can be used in inspection automation of roof conditions in the production sector and housing and utilities infrastructure.

Optimisation of Design of Air Inlets in Air Distribution Channels of a Double-Skin Transparent Façade

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bielek, Boris; Szabó, Daniel; Palko, Milan; Rychtáriková, Monika

2017-12-01

This paper reports on an optimization of design of air inlets in naturally ventilated double-skin transparent facades; the design aims at the proper functioning of these facades from the point of view of their aerodynamic and hydrodynamic behaviour. A comparison was made of five different variants of ventilation louvers used in air openings with different shapes, positions and overall geometry. The aerodynamic response of the louvers was determined by 2D simulations using ANSYS software. The hydrodynamic properties were investigated by conducting driven-rain measurements in a large rain chamber at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.

Fading to increase heterosexual responsiveness in homosexuals1

PubMed Central

Barlow, David H.; Agras, W. Stewart

1973-01-01

Heterosexual responsiveness, measured by penile responses and reports of behavior, was strengthened in three homosexuals through a fading procedure. Using two slide projectors, colored slides of nude females were superimposed on colored slides of nude males. As the sexual response was emitted, the nude male was faded out and the nude female faded in. Heterosexual arousal decreased when the fading procedure was reversed or stopped and increased once again when fading was resumed. Homosexual arousal remained high during this experiment but had decreased in two subjects at follow-up. The results suggest that fading was responsible for altering stimulus control of sexual arousal and that aversive techniques may not be necessary in the treatment of sexual deviation. ImagesFig. 1 PMID:16795417

Advanced communications technology satellite high burst rate link evaluation terminal communication protocol software user's guide, version 1.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reinhart, Richard C.

1993-01-01

The Communication Protocol Software was developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center to support the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite High Burst Rate Link Evaluation Terminal (ACTS HBR-LET). The HBR-LET is an experimenters terminal to communicate with the ACTS for various experiments by government, university, and industry agencies. The Communication Protocol Software is one segment of the Control and Performance Monitor (C&PM) Software system of the HBR-LET. The Communication Protocol Software allows users to control and configure the Intermediate Frequency Switch Matrix (IFSM) on board the ACTS to yield a desired path through the spacecraft payload. Besides IFSM control, the C&PM Software System is also responsible for instrument control during HBR-LET experiments, uplink power control of the HBR-LET to demonstrate power augmentation during signal fade events, and data display. The Communication Protocol Software User's Guide, Version 1.0 (NASA CR-189162) outlines the commands and procedures to install and operate the Communication Protocol Software. Configuration files used to control the IFSM, operator commands, and error recovery procedures are discussed. The Communication Protocol Software Maintenance Manual, Version 1.0 (NASA CR-189163, to be published) is a programmer's guide to the Communication Protocol Software. This manual details the current implementation of the software from a technical perspective. Included is an overview of the Communication Protocol Software, computer algorithms, format representations, and computer hardware configuration. The Communication Protocol Software Test Plan (NASA CR-189164, to be published) provides a step-by-step procedure to verify the operation of the software. Included in the Test Plan is command transmission, telemetry reception, error detection, and error recovery procedures.

Genetic structure and conservation of Mountain Lions in the South-Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest.

PubMed

Castilho, Camila S; Marins-Sá, Luiz G; Benedet, Rodrigo C; Freitas, Thales R O

2012-01-01

The Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems worldwide, is also among the most important hotspots as regards biodiversity. Through intensive logging, the initial area has been reduced to around 12% of its original size. In this study we investigated the genetic variability and structure of the mountain lion, Puma concolor. Using 18 microsatellite loci we analyzed evidence of allele dropout, null alleles and stuttering, calculated the number of allele/locus, PIC, observed and expected heterozygosity, linkage disequilibrium, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, F(IS), effective population size and genetic structure (MICROCHECKER, CERVUS, GENEPOP, FSTAT, ARLEQUIN, ONESAMP, LDNe, PCAGEN, GENECLASS software), we also determine whether there was evidence of a bottleneck (HYBRIDLAB, BOTTLENECK software) that might influence the future viability of the population in south Brazil. 106 alleles were identified, with the number of alleles/locus ranging from 2 to 11. Mean observed heterozygosity, mean number of alleles and polymorphism information content were 0.609, 5.89, and 0.6255, respectively. This population presented evidence of a recent bottleneck and loss of genetic variation. Persistent regional poaching constitutes an increasing in the extinction risk.

Closed-form Capacity Expressions for the α-μ Fading Channel with SC Diversity under Different Adaptive Transmission Strategies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, Refaat; Ismail, Mahmoud H.; Newagy, Fatma; Mourad, Heba M.

2013-03-01

Stemming from the fact that the α-μ fading distribution is one of the very general fading models used in the literature to describe the small scale fading phenomenon, in this paper, closed-form expressions for the Shannon capacity of the α-μ fading channel operating under four main adaptive transmission strategies are derived assuming integer values for μ. These expressions are derived for the case of no diversity as well as for selection combining diversity with independent and identically distributed branches. The obtained expressions reduce to those previously derived in the literature for the Weibull as well as the Rayleigh fading cases, which are both special cases of the α-μ channel. Numerical results are presented for the capacity under the four adaptive transmission strategies and the effect of the fading parameter as well as the number of diversity branches is studied.

Detecting Rhythms in Time Series with RAIN

PubMed Central

Thaben, Paul F.; Westermark, Pål O.

2014-01-01

A fundamental problem in research on biological rhythms is that of detecting and assessing the significance of rhythms in large sets of data. Classic methods based on Fourier theory are often hampered by the complex and unpredictable characteristics of experimental and biological noise. Robust nonparametric methods are available but are limited to specific wave forms. We present RAIN, a robust nonparametric method for the detection of rhythms of prespecified periods in biological data that can detect arbitrary wave forms. When applied to measurements of the circadian transcriptome and proteome of mouse liver, the sets of transcripts and proteins with rhythmic abundances were significantly expanded due to the increased detection power, when we controlled for false discovery. Validation against independent data confirmed the quality of these results. The large expansion of the circadian mouse liver transcriptomes and proteomes reflected the prevalence of nonsymmetric wave forms and led to new conclusions about function. RAIN was implemented as a freely available software package for R/Bioconductor and is presently also available as a web interface. PMID:25326247

Enhancing Free-Recall Rates of Individuals with Mental Retardation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlin, Michael T.; Soraci, Sal A.; Dennis, Nancy A.; Chechile, Nicholas A.; Loiselle, Raquel C.

2001-01-01

This study with 16 adolescents with mental retardation compared free-recall rates under two encoding conditions: (1) fade-in, initially presenting pictures out of focus then slowly fading them into focus; and (2) fade-out, slowly blurring originally clear pictures. Results indicated that free-recall rates were greater for the fade-in items for…

Frequency-selective fading statistics of shallow-water acoustic communication channel with a few multipaths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bae, Minja; Park, Jihyun; Kim, Jongju; Xue, Dandan; Park, Kyu-Chil; Yoon, Jong Rak

2016-07-01

The bit error rate of an underwater acoustic communication system is related to multipath fading statistics, which determine the signal-to-noise ratio. The amplitude and delay of each path depend on sea surface roughness, propagation medium properties, and source-to-receiver range as a function of frequency. Therefore, received signals will show frequency-dependent fading. A shallow-water acoustic communication channel generally shows a few strong multipaths that interfere with each other and the resulting interference affects the fading statistics model. In this study, frequency-selective fading statistics are modeled on the basis of the phasor representation of the complex path amplitude. The fading statistics distribution is parameterized by the frequency-dependent constructive or destructive interference of multipaths. At a 16 m depth with a muddy bottom, a wave height of 0.2 m, and source-to-receiver ranges of 100 and 400 m, fading statistics tend to show a Rayleigh distribution at a destructive interference frequency, but a Rice distribution at a constructive interference frequency. The theoretical fading statistics well matched the experimental ones.

An exploration of the relationship among valence, fading affect, rehearsal frequency, and memory vividness for past personal events.

PubMed

Lindeman, Meghan I H; Zengel, Bettina; Skowronski, John J

2017-07-01

The affect associated with negative (or unpleasant) memories typically tends to fade faster than the affect associated with positive (or pleasant) memories, a phenomenon called the fading affect bias (FAB). We conducted a study to explore the mechanisms related to the FAB. A retrospective recall procedure was used to obtain three self-report measures (memory vividness, rehearsal frequency, affective fading) for both positive events and negative events. Affect for positive events faded less than affect for negative events, and positive events were recalled more vividly than negative events. The perceived vividness of an event (memory vividness) and the extent to which an event has been rehearsed (rehearsal frequency) were explored as possible mediators of the relation between event valence and affect fading. Additional models conceived of affect fading and rehearsal frequency as contributors to a memory's vividness. Results suggested that memory vividness was a plausible mediator of the relation between an event's valence and affect fading. Rehearsal frequency was also a plausible mediator of this relation, but only via its effects on memory vividness. Additional modelling results suggested that affect fading and rehearsal frequency were both plausible mediators of the relation between an event's valence and the event's rated memory vividness.

Peer-Monitoring vs. Micro-Script Fading for Enhancing Knowledge Acquisition when Learning in Computer-Supported Argumentation Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bouyias, Yannis; Demetriadis, Stavros

2012-01-01

Research on computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) has strongly emphasized the value of providing student support with micro-scripts, which should withdraw (fade-out) allowing students to practice the acquired skills. However, research on fading shows conflicting results and some researchers suggest that the impact of fading is enhanced…

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

Topics covered include: Cryogenic Temperature-Gradient Foam/Substrate Tensile Tester; Flight Test of an Intelligent Flight-Control System; Slat Heater Boxes for Thermal Vacuum Testing; System for Testing Thermal Insulation of Pipes; Electrical-Impedance-Based Ice-Thickness Gauges; Simulation System for Training in Laparoscopic Surgery; Flasher Powered by Photovoltaic Cells and Ultracapacitors; Improved Autoassociative Neural Networks; Toroidal-Core Microinductors Biased by Permanent Magnets; Using Correlated Photons to Suppress Background Noise; Atmospheric-Fade-Tolerant Tracking and Pointing in Wireless Optical Communication; Curved Focal-Plane Arrays Using Back-Illuminated High-Purity Photodetectors; Software for Displaying Data from Planetary Rovers; Software for Refining or Coarsening Computational Grids; Software for Diagnosis of Multiple Coordinated Spacecraft; Software Helps Retrieve Information Relevant to the User; Software for Simulating a Complex Robot; Software for Planning Scientific Activities on Mars; Software for Training in Pre-College Mathematics; Switching and Rectification in Carbon-Nanotube Junctions; Scandia-and-Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia for Thermal Barriers; Environmentally Safer, Less Toxic Fire-Extinguishing Agents; Multiaxial Temperature- and Time-Dependent Failure Model; Cloverleaf Vibratory Microgyroscope with Integrated Post; Single-Vector Calibration of Wind-Tunnel Force Balances; Microgyroscope with Vibrating Post as Rotation Transducer; Continuous Tuning and Calibration of Vibratory Gyroscopes; Compact, Pneumatically Actuated Filter Shuttle; Improved Bearingless Switched-Reluctance Motor; Fluorescent Quantum Dots for Biological Labeling; Growing Three-Dimensional Corneal Tissue in a Bioreactor; Scanning Tunneling Optical Resonance Microscopy; The Micro-Arcsecond Metrology Testbed; Detecting Moving Targets by Use of Soliton Resonances; and Finite-Element Methods for Real-Time Simulation of Surgery.

Text-fading based training leads to transfer effects on children's sentence reading fluency

PubMed Central

Nagler, Telse; Korinth, Sebastian P.; Linkersdörfer, Janosch; Lonnemann, Jan; Rump, Björn; Hasselhorn, Marcus; Lindberg, Sven

2015-01-01

Previous studies used a text-fading procedure as a training tool with the goal to increase silent reading fluency (i.e., proficient reading rate and comprehension). In recently published studies, this procedure resulted in lasting reading enhancements for adult and adolescent research samples. However, studies working with children reported mixed results. While reading rate improvements were observable for Dutch reading children in a text-fading training study, reading fluency improvements in standardized reading tests post-training attributable to the fading manipulation were not detectable. These results raise the question of whether text-fading training is not effective for children or whether research design issues have concealed possible transfer effects. Hence, the present study sought to investigate possible transfer effects resulting from a text-fading based reading training program, using a modified research design. Over a period of 3 weeks, two groups of German third-graders read sentences either with an adaptive text-fading procedure or at their self-paced reading rate. A standardized test measuring reading fluency at the word, sentence, and text level was conducted pre- and post-training. Text level reading fluency improved for both groups equally. Post-training gains at the word level were found for the text-fading group, however, no significant interaction between groups was revealed for word reading fluency. Sentence level reading fluency gains were found for the text-fading group, which significantly differed from the group of children reading at their self-paced reading routine. These findings provide evidence for the efficacy of text-fading as a training method for sentence reading fluency improvement also for children. PMID:25713554

When does fading enhance perceptual category learning?

PubMed

Pashler, Harold; Mozer, Michael C

2013-07-01

Training that uses exaggerated versions of a stimulus discrimination (fading) has sometimes been found to enhance category learning, mostly in studies involving animals and impaired populations. However, little is known about whether and when fading facilitates learning for typical individuals. This issue was explored in 7 experiments. In Experiments 1 and 2, observers discriminated stimuli based on a single sensory continuum (time duration and line length, respectively). Adaptive fading dramatically improved performance in training (unsurprisingly) but did not enhance learning as assessed in a final test. The same was true for nonadaptive linear fading (Experiment 3). However, when variation in length (predicting category membership) was embedded among other (category-irrelevant) variation, fading dramatically enhanced not only performance in training but also learning as assessed in a final test (Experiments 4 and 5). Fading also helped learners to acquire a color saturation discrimination amid category-irrelevant variation in hue and brightness, although this learning proved transitory after feedback was withdrawn (Experiment 7). Theoretical implications are discussed, and we argue that fading should have practical utility in naturalistic category learning tasks, which involve extremely high dimensional stimuli and many irrelevant dimensions. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

Analysis of multipath channel fading techniques in wireless communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahender, Kommabatla; Kumar, Tipparti Anil; Ramesh, K. S.

2018-04-01

Multipath fading occurs in any environment where there is multipath propagation and there is some movement of elements within the radio communications system. This may include the radio transmitter or receiver position, or in the elements that give rise to the reflections. The multipath fading can often be relatively deep, i.e. the signals fade completely away, whereas at other times the fading may not cause the signal to fall below a useable strength. Multipath fading may also cause distortion to the radio signal. As the various paths that can be taken by the signals vary in length, the signal transmitted at a particular instance will arrive at the receiver over a spread of times. This can cause problems with phase distortion and inter symbol interference when data transmissions are made. As a result, it may be necessary to incorporate features within the radio communications system that enables the effects of these problems to be minimized. This paper analyses the effects of various types of multipath fading in wireless transmission system.

Measurement of satellite PCS fading using GPS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.

1995-01-01

A six-channel commercial GPS receiver with a custom-made 40 deg tilted, rotating antenna has been assembled to make fade measurements for personal satellite communications. The system can measure up to two times per minute fades of up to 15 dB in the direction of each tracked satellite from 10 to 90 deg elevation. Photographic fisheye lens images were used to categorize the fade data obtained in several test locations according to fade states of clear, shadowed, or blocked. Multipath effects in the form of annular rings can be observed when most of the sky is clear. Tree fading by a Pecan exceeding 3.5 dB and 12 dB at 50 to 10 percent probability, respectively, compared with median fades of 7.5 dB measured earlier and the discrepancy is attributed to the change in ratio when measuring over an area as opposed to along a line. Data acquired inside buildings revealed 'rf-leaky' ceilings. Satellite diversity gain in a shadowed environment exceeded 6 dB at the 10 percent probability.

Measurement of satellite PCS fading using GPS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.

1995-08-01

A six-channel commercial GPS receiver with a custom-made 40 deg tilted, rotating antenna has been assembled to make fade measurements for personal satellite communications. The system can measure up to two times per minute fades of up to 15 dB in the direction of each tracked satellite from 10 to 90 deg elevation. Photographic fisheye lens images were used to categorize the fade data obtained in several test locations according to fade states of clear, shadowed, or blocked. Multipath effects in the form of annular rings can be observed when most of the sky is clear. Tree fading by a Pecan exceeding 3.5 dB and 12 dB at 50 to 10 percent probability, respectively, compared with median fades of 7.5 dB measured earlier and the discrepancy is attributed to the change in ratio when measuring over an area as opposed to along a line. Data acquired inside buildings revealed 'rf-leaky' ceilings. Satellite diversity gain in a shadowed environment exceeded 6 dB at the 10 percent probability.

Rocket Science for the Internet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Rainfinity, a company resulting from the commercialization of Reliable Array of Independent Nodes (RAIN), produces the product, Rainwall. Rainwall runs a cluster of computer workstations, creating a distributed Internet gateway. When Rainwall detects a failure in software or hardware, traffic is shifted to a healthy gateway without interruptions to Internet service. It more evenly distributes workload across servers, providing less down time.

Presynaptic facilitatory adenosine A2A receptors mediate fade induced by neuromuscular relaxants that exhibit anticholinesterase activity.

PubMed

Bornia, Elaine Cs; Correia-de-Sá, Paulo; Alves-Do-Prado, Wilson

2011-03-01

1. Pancuronium, cisatracurium and vecuronium are antinicotinic agents that, in contrast with d-tubocurarine and hexamethonium, exhibit anticholinesterase activity. Pancuronium-, cisatracurium- and vecuronium-induced fade results from blockade of facilitatory nicotinic receptors on motor nerves, but fade produced by such agents also depends on the presynaptic activation of inhibitory muscarinic M2 receptors by acetylcholine released from motor nerve terminals and activation of inhibitory adenosine A1 receptors by adenosine released from motor nerves and muscles. The participation of presynaptic facilitatory A2A receptors in fade caused by pancuronium, cisatracurium and vecuronium has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we determined the effects of ZM241385, an antagonist of presynaptic facilitatory A2A receptors, on fade produced by these neuromuscular relaxants in the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparation. 2. The muscles were stimulated indirectly at 75±3Hz to induce a sustained tetanizing muscular contraction. The lowest concentration at which each antinicotinic agent produced fade without modifying initial tetanic tension (presynaptic action) was determined. 3. d-Tubocurarine-induced fade occurred only at 55 nmol/L, a concentration that also reduced maximal tetanic tension (post-synaptic action). At 10 nmol/L, ZM 241385 alone did not produce fade, but it did attenuate pancuronium (0.32 μmol/L)-, cisatracurium (0.32 μmol/L)- and vecuronium (0.36 μmol/L)-induced fade. 4. The fade induced by the 'pure' antinicotinic agents d-tubocurarine (55 nmol/L) and hexamethonium (413 μmol/L) was not altered by 10 nmol/L ZM 241385, indicating that presynaptic adenosine A2A receptors play a significant role in the fade produced by antinicotinic agents when such agents have anticholinesterase activity. © 2011 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Monitoring Global Precipitation through UCI CHRS's RainMapper App on Mobile Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, P.; Huynh, P.; Braithwaite, D.; Hsu, K. L.; Sorooshian, S.

2014-12-01

The Water and Development Information for Arid Lands-a Global Network (G-WADI) Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks—Cloud Classification System (PERSIANN-CCS) GeoServer has been developed through a collaboration between the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing (CHRS) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the UNESCO's International Hydrological Program (IHP). G-WADI PERSIANN-CCS GeoServer provides near real-time high resolution (0.04o, approx 4km) global (60oN - 60oS) satellite precipitation estimated by the PERSIANN-CCS algorithm developed by the scientists at CHRS. The G-WADI PERSIANN-CCS GeoServer utilizes the open-source MapServer software from the University of Minnesota to provide a user-friendly web-based mapping and visualization of satellite precipitation data. Recent efforts have been made by the scientists at CHRS to provide free on-the-go access to the PERSIANN-CCS precipitation data through an application named RainMapper for mobile devices. RainMapper provides visualization of global satellite precipitation of the most recent 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72-hour periods overlaid with various basemaps. RainMapper uses the Google maps application programing interface (API) and embedded global positioning system (GPS) access to better monitor the global precipitation data on mobile devices. Functionalities include using geographical searching with voice recognition technologies make it easy for the user to explore near real-time precipitation in a certain location. RainMapper also allows for conveniently sharing the precipitation information and visualizations with the public through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. RainMapper is available for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded (free) from the App Store and Google Play. The usefulness of RainMapper was demonstrated through an application in tracking the evolution of the recent Rammasun Typhoon over the Philippines in mid July 2014.

Improving Radar QPE's in Complex Terrain for Improved Flash Flood Monitoring and Prediction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cifelli, R.; Streubel, D. P.; Reynolds, D.

2010-12-01

Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) is extremely challenging in regions of complex terrain due to a combination of issues related to sampling. In particular, radar beams are often blocked or scan above the liquid precipitation zone while rain gauge density is often too low to properly characterize the spatial distribution of precipitation. Due to poor radar coverage, rain gauge networks are used by the National Weather Service (NWS) River Forecast Centers as the principal source for QPE across the western U.S. The California Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC) uses point rainfall measurements and historical rainfall runoff relationships to derive river stage forecasts. The point measurements are interpolated to a 4 km grid using Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) data to develop a gridded 6-hour QPE product (hereafter referred to as RFC QPE). Local forecast offices can utilize the Multi-sensor Precipitation Estimator (MPE) software to improve local QPE’s and thus local flash flood monitoring and prediction. MPE uses radar and rain gauge data to develop a combined QPE product at 1-hour intervals. The rain gauge information is used to bias correct the radar precipitation estimates so that, in situations where the rain gauge density and radar coverage are adequate, MPE can take advantage of the spatial coverage of the radar and the “ground truth” of the rain gauges to provide an accurate QPE. The MPE 1-hour QPE analysis should provide better spatial and temporal resolution for short duration hydrologic events as compared to 6-hour analyses. These hourly QPEs are then used to correct radar derived rain rates used by the Flash Flood Monitoring and Prediction (FFMP) software in forecast offices for issuance of flash flood warnings. Although widely used by forecasters across the eastern U.S., MPE is not used extensively by the NWS in the west. Part of the reason for the lack of use of MPE across the west is that there has been little quantitative evaluation of MPE performance in this region compared to simply using a gage only analysis. In this study, an evaluation of MPE and RFC QPE is performed in a portion of the CNRFC (including the Russian and American River basins) using an independent set of rain gauge data from the Hydrometeorology Testbed (HMT). Data from a precipitation event in January 2010 are used to establish the comparison methodology and for preliminary evaluation. For this multi-day event, it is shown that the RFC QPE shows generally better agreement with the HMT gauges compared to MPE in terms of storm total precipitation. However, the bias in RFC:MPE is shown to vary as a function of terrain and time. Moreover, for a subset of the HMT gauges in Sonoma county, the 1-hour MPE precipitation totals are found to be generally well correlated to the HMT gauge totals with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.6-0.9. For the Sonoma county gauges, the MPE product generally underestimates rainfall compared to HMT, probably as a consequence of low-level, orographically forced precipitation that was not well captured by the MPE radar analysis.

Simultaneous measurements of L- and S-band tree shadowing for space-Earth communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.; Lin, Hsin P.

1995-01-01

We present results from simultaneous L- and S-Band slant-path fade measurements through trees. One circularly-polarized antenna was used at each end of the dual-frequency link to provide information on the correlation of tree shadowing at 1620 and 2500 MHz. Fades were measured laterally in the shadow region with 5 cm spacing. Fade differences between L- and S-Band had a normal distribution with low means and standard deviations from 5.2 to 7.5 dB. Spatial variations occurred with periods larger than 1-2 wavelengths. Swept measurements over 160 MHz spans showed that the stdv. of power as function of frequency increased from approximately 1-6 dB at locations with mean fades of 4 and 20 dB, respectively. At a 5 dB fade, the central 90% of fade slopes were within a range of 0.7 (1.9) dB/MHz at L-(S-) Band.

Multivariate η-μ fading distribution with arbitrary correlation model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghareeb, Ibrahim; Atiani, Amani

2018-03-01

An extensive analysis for the multivariate ? distribution with arbitrary correlation is presented, where novel analytical expressions for the multivariate probability density function, cumulative distribution function and moment generating function (MGF) of arbitrarily correlated and not necessarily identically distributed ? power random variables are derived. Also, this paper provides exact-form expression for the MGF of the instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio at the combiner output in a diversity reception system with maximal-ratio combining and post-detection equal-gain combining operating in slow frequency nonselective arbitrarily correlated not necessarily identically distributed ?-fading channels. The average bit error probability of differentially detected quadrature phase shift keying signals with post-detection diversity reception system over arbitrarily correlated and not necessarily identical fading parameters ?-fading channels is determined by using the MGF-based approach. The effect of fading correlation between diversity branches, fading severity parameters and diversity level is studied.

Genetic structure and conservation of Mountain Lions in the South-Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest

PubMed Central

Castilho, Camila S.; Marins-Sá, Luiz G.; Benedet, Rodrigo C.; Freitas, Thales R.O.

2012-01-01

The Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems worldwide, is also among the most important hotspots as regards biodiversity. Through intensive logging, the initial area has been reduced to around 12% of its original size. In this study we investigated the genetic variability and structure of the mountain lion, Puma concolor. Using 18 microsatellite loci we analyzed evidence of allele dropout, null alleles and stuttering, calculated the number of allele/locus, PIC, observed and expected heterozygosity, linkage disequilibrium, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, FIS, effective population size and genetic structure (MICROCHECKER, CERVUS, GENEPOP, FSTAT, ARLEQUIN, ONESAMP, LDNe, PCAGEN, GENECLASS software), we also determine whether there was evidence of a bottleneck (HYBRIDLAB, BOTTLENECK software) that might influence the future viability of the population in south Brazil. 106 alleles were identified, with the number of alleles/locus ranging from 2 to 11. Mean observed heterozygosity, mean number of alleles and polymorphism information content were 0.609, 5.89, and 0.6255, respectively. This population presented evidence of a recent bottleneck and loss of genetic variation. Persistent regional poaching constitutes an increasing in the extinction risk. PMID:22481876

Investigations of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) fading mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarma, Loka Subramanyam; Chen, Ching-Hsiang; Wang, Guo-Rung; Hsueh, Kan-Lin; Huang, Chiou-Ping; Sheu, Hwo-Shuenn; Liu, Ding-Goa; Lee, Jyh-Fu; Hwang, Bing-Joe

In this report, we present the microscopic investigations on various fading mechanisms of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). High energy X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Raman spectroscopic analysis were applied to a membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) before and after fuel cell operation to figure out the various factors causing its fading. High energy XRD analysis of the fresh and faded MEA revealed that the agglomeration of the catalyst particles in the cathode layer of the faded MEA was more significant than in the anode layer of the faded MEA. The XAS analysis demonstrated that the alloying extent of Pt (J Pt) and Ru (J Ru) in the anode catalyst was increased and decreased, respectively, from the fresh to the faded MEA, indicating that the Ru environment in the anode catalyst was significantly changed after the fuel cell operation. Based on the X-ray absorption edge jump measurements at the Ru K-edge on the anode catalyst of the fresh and the faded MEA it was found that Ru was dissolved from the Pt-Ru catalyst after the fuel cell operation. Both the Ru K-edge XAS and EDX analysis on the cathode catalyst layer of the faded MEA confirms the presence of Ru environment in the cathode catalyst due to the Ru crossover from the anode to the cathode side. The changes in the membrane and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) after the fuel cell operation were observed from the Raman spectroscopy analysis.

KIC 8462852 Brightness Pattern Repeating Every 1600 days

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gary, Bruce; Bourne, Rafik

2017-12-01

Observations of KIC 8462852 (aka Boyajian's Star) reveal a yearlong fade pattern that is remarkably similar to the fade pattern derived from Kepler mission observations. The ground-based observations reported here can be described as a gradual fade that ended in late 2016 with the beginning of a yearlong U-shaped fade of 1.1 percent. Near the end of this U-shaped fade a series of very brief dips occurred. The Kepler data exhibit a similar pattern 1600 days earlier, except with an abrupt end of observations before the U-shape recovery. Observations lasting many years are needed, especially during our predicted repeat of the U-shape and short dip pattern in 2021.

A recursive solution for a fading memory filter derived from Kalman filter theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Statman, J. I.

1986-01-01

A simple recursive solution for a class of fading memory tracking filters is presented. A fading memory filter provides estimates of filter states based on past measurements, similar to a traditional Kalman filter. Unlike a Kalman filter, an exponentially decaying weight is applied to older measurements, discounting their effect on present state estimates. It is shown that Kalman filters and fading memory filters are closely related solutions to a general least squares estimator problem. Closed form filter transfer functions are derived for a time invariant, steady state, fading memory filter. These can be applied in loop filter implementation of the Deep Space Network (DSN) Advanced Receiver carrier phase locked loop (PLL).

Slant path L- and S-Band tree shadowing measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.

1994-01-01

This contribution presents selected results from simultaneous L- and S-Band slant-path fade measurements through a pecan, a cottonwood, and a pine tree employing a tower-mounted transmitter and dual-frequency receiver. A single, circularly-polarized antenna was used at each end of the link. The objective was to provide information for personal communications satellite design on the correlation of tree shadowing between frequencies near 1620 and 2500 MHz. Fades were measured along 10 m lateral distance with 5 cm spacing. Instantaneous fade differences between L- and S-Band exhibited normal distribution with means usually near 0 dB and standard deviations from 5.2 to 7.5 dB. The cottonwood tree was an exception, with 5.4 dB higher average fading at S- than at L-Band. The spatial autocorrelation reduced to near zero with lags of about 10 lambda. The fade slope in dB/MHz is normally distributed with zero mean and standard deviation increasing with fade level.

Slant path L- and S-Band tree shadowing measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.

1994-08-01

This contribution presents selected results from simultaneous L- and S-Band slant-path fade measurements through a pecan, a cottonwood, and a pine tree employing a tower-mounted transmitter and dual-frequency receiver. A single, circularly-polarized antenna was used at each end of the link. The objective was to provide information for personal communications satellite design on the correlation of tree shadowing between frequencies near 1620 and 2500 MHz. Fades were measured along 10 m lateral distance with 5 cm spacing. Instantaneous fade differences between L- and S-Band exhibited normal distribution with means usually near 0 dB and standard deviations from 5.2 to 7.5 dB. The cottonwood tree was an exception, with 5.4 dB higher average fading at S- than at L-Band. The spatial autocorrelation reduced to near zero with lags of about 10 lambda. The fade slope in dB/MHz is normally distributed with zero mean and standard deviation increasing with fade level.

Autonomous detection of ISO fade point with color laser printers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Ni; Maggard, Eric; Fothergill, Roberta; Jessome, Renee J.; Allebach, Jan P.

2015-01-01

Image quality assessment is a very important field in image processing. Human observation is slow and subjective, it also requires strict environment setup for the psychological test 1. Thus developing algorithms to match desired human experiments is always in need. Many studies have focused on detecting the fading phenomenon after the materials are printed, that is to monitor the persistence of the color ink 2-4. However, fading is also a common artifact produced by printing systems when the cartridges run low. We want to develop an automatic system to monitor cartridge life and report fading defects when they appear. In this paper, we first describe a psychological experiment that studies the human perspective on printed fading pages. Then we propose an algorithm based on Color Space Projection and K-means clustering to predict the visibility of fading defects. At last, we integrate the psychological experiment result with our algorithm to give a machine learning tool that monitors cartridge life.

When Does Fading Enhance Perceptual Category Learning?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pashler, Harold; Mozer, Michael C.

2013-01-01

Training that uses exaggerated versions of a stimulus discrimination (fading) has sometimes been found to enhance category learning, mostly in studies involving animals and impaired populations. However, little is known about whether and when fading facilitates learning for typical individuals. This issue was explored in 7 experiments. In…

Adaptive data rate SSMA system for personal and mobile satellite communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ikegami, Tetsushi; Takahashi, Takashi; Arakaki, Yoshiya; Wakana, Hiromitsu

1995-01-01

An adaptive data rate SSMA (spread spectrum multiple access) system is proposed for mobile and personal multimedia satellite communications without the aid of system control earth stations. This system has a constant occupied bandwidth and has variable data rates and processing gains to mitigate communication link impairments such as fading, rain attenuation and interference as well as to handle variable data rate on demand. Proof of concept hardware for 6MHz bandwidth transponder is developed, that uses offset-QPSK (quadrature phase shift keying) and MSK (minimum shift keying) for direct sequence spread spectrum modulation and handle data rates of 4k to 64kbps. The RS422 data interface, low rate voice and H.261 video codecs are installed. The receiver is designed with coherent matched filter technique to achieve fast code acquisition, AFC (automatic frequency control) and coherent detection with minimum hardware losses in a single matched filter circuit. This receiver structure facilitates variable data rate on demand during a call. This paper shows the outline of the proposed system and the performance of the prototype equipment.

Stimulus Fading and Transfer in the Treatment of Self-Restraint and Self-Injurious Behavior.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pace, Gary M.; And Others

1986-01-01

Manipulation of mechanical restraint properties were conducted in separate studies with two profoundly retarded adolescents who exhibited both self-restraint and self-injurious behavior. Techniques included prompting, differential reinforcement, and stimulus fading. Results suggested that stimulus fading and transfer may be valuable components in…

Effects of Nicotine Fading and Relapse Prevention on Smoking Cessation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Richard A.; And Others

1984-01-01

Conducted a pilot study which combined nicotine-fading and relapse prevention with smokers (N=30) and compared this program to conditions where subjects (N=46) received nicotine-fading or relapse prevention only. Results showed no difference among groups in abstinence or rate at any follow-up point. (LLL)

Effects of fade distribution on a mobile satellite downlink and uplink performance in a frequency reuse cellular configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boutin, Karl; Lecours, Michel; Pelletier, Marcel; Delisle, Gilles Y.

1990-01-01

In a mobile satellite system with a frequency reuse cellular configuration, significant co-channel interference can be experienced due to the antenna sidelobe level. The signal will be subjected not only to its own fading, but also to the effect of the varying degree of fading on co-channel interferer, and this interference will behave differently in the up and in the down link. This paper presents a quantitative evaluation of the combined effects of fades and co-channel interference on a mobile satellite link.

Performance analysis of replication ALOHA for fading mobile communications channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yan, Tsun-Yee; Clare, Loren P.

1986-01-01

This paper describes an ALOHA random access protocol for fading communications channels. A two-state Markov model is used for the channel error process to account for the channel fading memory. The ALOHA protocol is modified to send multiple contiguous copies of a message at each transmission attempt. Both pure and slotted ALOHA channels are considered. The analysis is applicable to fading environments where the channel memory is short compared to the propagation delay. It is shown that smaller delay may be achieved using replications and, in noisy conditions, can also improve throughput.

A tone-aided dual vestigial sideband system for digital communications on fading channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hladik, Stephen M.; Saulnier, Gary J.; Rafferty, William

1989-01-01

A spectrally efficient tone-aided dual vestigial sideband (TA/DVSB) system for digital data communications on fading channels is presented and described analytically. This PSK (phase-shift-keying) system incorporates a feed-forward, tone-aided demodulation technique to compensate for Doppler frequency shift and channel- induced, multipath fading. In contrast to other tone-in-band-type systems, receiver synchronization is derived from the complete data VSBs. Simulation results for the Rician fading channel are presented. These results demonstrate the receiver's ability to mitigate performance degradation due to fading and to obtain proper data carrier synchronization, suggesting that the proposed TA/DVSB system has promise for this application. Simulated BER (bit-error rate) data indicate that the TA/DVSB system effectively alleviates the channel distortions of the land mobile satellite application.

Remaining useful life assessment of lithium-ion batteries in implantable medical devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Chao; Ye, Hui; Jain, Gaurav; Schmidt, Craig

2018-01-01

This paper presents a prognostic study on lithium-ion batteries in implantable medical devices, in which a hybrid data-driven/model-based method is employed for remaining useful life assessment. The method is developed on and evaluated against data from two sets of lithium-ion prismatic cells used in implantable applications exhibiting distinct fade performance: 1) eight cells from Medtronic, PLC whose rates of capacity fade appear to be stable and gradually decrease over a 10-year test duration; and 2) eight cells from Manufacturer X whose rates appear to be greater and show sharp increase after some period over a 1.8-year test duration. The hybrid method enables online prediction of remaining useful life for predictive maintenance/control. It consists of two modules: 1) a sparse Bayesian learning module (data-driven) for inferring capacity from charge-related features; and 2) a recursive Bayesian filtering module (model-based) for updating empirical capacity fade models and predicting remaining useful life. A generic particle filter is adopted to implement recursive Bayesian filtering for the cells from the first set, whose capacity fade behavior can be represented by a single fade model; a multiple model particle filter with fixed-lag smoothing is proposed for the cells from the second data set, whose capacity fade behavior switches between multiple fade models.

Real-time software-based end-to-end wireless visual communications simulation platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ting-Chung; Chang, Li-Fung; Wong, Andria H.; Sun, Ming-Ting; Hsing, T. Russell

1995-04-01

Wireless channel impairments pose many challenges to real-time visual communications. In this paper, we describe a real-time software based wireless visual communications simulation platform which can be used for performance evaluation in real-time. This simulation platform consists of two personal computers serving as hosts. Major components of each PC host include a real-time programmable video code, a wireless channel simulator, and a network interface for data transport between the two hosts. The three major components are interfaced in real-time to show the interaction of various wireless channels and video coding algorithms. The programmable features in the above components allow users to do performance evaluation of user-controlled wireless channel effects without physically carrying out these experiments which are limited in scope, time-consuming, and costly. Using this simulation platform as a testbed, we have experimented with several wireless channel effects including Rayleigh fading, antenna diversity, channel filtering, symbol timing, modulation, and packet loss.

Assessing Applications of GPM and IMERG Passive Microwave Rain Rates in Modeling and Operational Forecasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zavodsky, B.; Le Roy, A.; Smith, M. R.; Case, J.

2016-12-01

In support of NASA's recently launched GPM `core' satellite, the NASA-SPoRT project is leveraging experience in research-to-operations transitions and training to provide feedback on the operational utility of GPM products. Thus far, SPoRT has focused on evaluating the Level 2 GPROF passive microwave and IMERG rain rate estimates. Formal evaluations with end-users have occurred, as well as internal evaluations of the datasets. One set of end users for these products is National Weather Service Forecast Offices (WFOs) and National Weather Service River Forecast Centers (RFCs), comprising forecasters and hydrologists. SPoRT has hosted a series of formal assessments to determine uses and utility of these datasets for NWS operations at specific offices. Forecasters primarily have used Level 2 swath rain rates to observe rainfall in otherwise data-void regions and to confirm model QPF for their nowcasting or short-term forecasting. Hydrologists have been evaluating both the Level 2 rain rates and the IMERG rain rates, including rain rate accumulations derived from IMERG; hydrologists have used these data to supplement gauge data for post-event analysis as well as for longer-term forecasting. Results from specific evaluations will be presented. Another evaluation of the GPM passive microwave rain rates has been in using the data within other products that are currently transitioned to end-users, rather than as stand-alone observations. For example, IMERG Early data is being used as a forcing mechanism in the NASA Land Information System (LIS) for real-time soil moisture product over eastern Africa. IMERG is providing valuable precipitation information to LIS in an otherwise data-void region. Results and caveats will briefly be discussed. A third application of GPM data is using the IMERG Late and Final products for model verification in remote regions where high-quality gridded precipitation fields are not readily available. These datasets can now be used to verify NWP model forecasts over Eastern Africa using the SPoRT-MET scripts verification package, a wrapper around the NCAR Model Evaluation Toolkit (MET) verification software.

The fading of Cassiopeia A, and improved models for the absolute spectrum of primary radio calibration sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trotter, A. S.; Reichart, D. E.; Egger, R. E.; Stýblová, J.; Paggen, M. L.; Martin, J. R.; Dutton, D. A.; Reichart, J. E.; Kumar, N. D.; Maples, M. P.; Barlow, B. N.; Berger, T. A.; Foster, A. C.; Frank, N. R.; Ghigo, F. D.; Haislip, J. B.; Heatherly, S. A.; Kouprianov, V. V.; LaCluyzé, A. P.; Moffett, D. A.; Moore, J. P.; Stanley, J. L.; White, S.

2017-08-01

Based on 5 yr of observations with the 40-foot telescope at Green Bank Observatory (GBO), Reichart & Stephens found that the radio source Cassiopeia A had either faded more slowly between the mid-1970s and late 1990s than Baars et al. had found it to be fading between the late 1940s and mid-1970s, or that it had rebrightened and then resumed fading sometime between the mid-1970s and mid-1990s, in the L band (1.4 GHz). Here, we present 15 additional years of observations of Cas A and Cyg A with the 40-foot in the L band, and three and a half additional years of observations of Cas A, Cyg A, Tau A and Vir A with GBO's recently refurbished 20-m telescope in the L and X (9 GHz) bands. We also present a more sophisticated analysis of the 40-foot data, and a reanalysis of the Baars et al. data, which reveals small, but non-negligible differences. We find that overall, between the late 1950s and late 2010s, Cas A faded at an average rate of 0.670 ± 0.019 per cent yr-1 in the L band, consistent with Reichart & Stephens. However, we also find, at the 6.3σ credible level, that it did not fade at a constant rate. Rather, Cas A faded at a faster rate through at least the late 1960s, rebrightened (or at least faded at a much slower rate), and then resumed fading at a similarly fast rate by, at most, the late 1990s. Given these differences from the original Baars et al. analysis, and given the importance of their fitted spectral and temporal models for flux-density calibration in radio astronomy, we update and improve on these models for all four of these radio sources. In doing so, we additionally find that Tau A is fading at a rate of 0.102^{+0.042}_{-0.043} per cent yr-1 in the L band.

Examining the Impact of Adaptively Faded Worked Examples on Student Learning Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Raymond; Inan, Fethi

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore effective ways to design guided practices within a web-based mathematics problem solving tutorial. Specifically, this study examined student learning outcome differences between two support designs (e.g. adaptively faded and fixed). In the adaptively faded design, students were presented with problems in…

Direct and Collateral Effects of Restraints and Restraint Fading.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, Wayne W.; And Others

1997-01-01

A study of three individuals with self-injurious behavior (SIB) evaluated a device designed for restraint fading with individuals who display hand-to-head SIB. Results demonstrated that stimulus control of SIB occurred in all individuals subsequent to restraint fading. The study also examined the effects of the rigid arm sleeves and restraint…

The Impact of Reading Material's Lexical Accessibility on Text Fading Effects in Children's Reading Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nagler, Telse; Lonnemann, Jan; Linkersdörfer, Janosch; Hasselhorn, Marcus; Lindberg, Sven

2014-01-01

The "acceleration phenomenon" (AP) is defined by improvements in reading speed and reading comprehension, induced by an artificial text fading procedure corresponding to the previously determined fastest individual reading rate. Recent results, however, indicated that fading that is slower than the self-paced reading rate can produce…

Errorless discrimination and picture fading as techniques for teaching sight words to TMR students.

PubMed

Walsh, B F; Lamberts, F

1979-03-01

The effectiveness of two approaches for teaching beginning sight words to 30 TMR students was compared. In Dorry and Zeaman's picture-fading technique, words are taught through association with pictures that are faded out over a series of trials, while in the Edmark program errorless-discrimination technique, words are taught through shaped sequences of visual and auditory--visual matching-to-sample, with the target word first appearing alone and eventually appearing with orthographically similar words. Students were instructed on two lists of 10 words each, one list in the picture-fading and one in the discrimination method, in a double counter-balanced, repeated-measures design. Covariance analysis on three measures (word identification, word recognition, and picture--word matching) showed highly significant differences between the two methods. Students' performance was better after instruction with the errorless-discrimination method than after instruction with the picture-fading method. The findings on picture fading were interpreted as indicating a possible failure of the shifting of control from picture to printed word that earlier researchers have hypothesized as occurring.

Resource Aware Intelligent Network Services (RAINS) Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lehman, Tom; Yang, Xi

The Resource Aware Intelligent Network Services (RAINS) project conducted research and developed technologies in the area of cyber infrastructure resource modeling and computation. The goal of this work was to provide a foundation to enable intelligent, software defined services which spanned the network AND the resources which connect to the network. A Multi-Resource Service Plane (MRSP) was defined, which allows resource owners/managers to locate and place themselves from a topology and service availability perspective within the dynamic networked cyberinfrastructure ecosystem. The MRSP enables the presentation of integrated topology views and computation results which can include resources across the spectrum ofmore » compute, storage, and networks. The RAINS project developed MSRP includes the following key components: i) Multi-Resource Service (MRS) Ontology/Multi-Resource Markup Language (MRML), ii) Resource Computation Engine (RCE), iii) Modular Driver Framework (to allow integration of a variety of external resources). The MRS/MRML is a general and extensible modeling framework that allows for resource owners to model, or describe, a wide variety of resource types. All resources are described using three categories of elements: Resources, Services, and Relationships between the elements. This modeling framework defines a common method for the transformation of cyber infrastructure resources into data in the form of MRML models. In order to realize this infrastructure datification, the RAINS project developed a model based computation system, i.e. “RAINS Computation Engine (RCE)”. The RCE has the ability to ingest, process, integrate, and compute based on automatically generated MRML models. The RCE interacts with the resources thru system drivers which are specific to the type of external network or resource controller. The RAINS project developed a modular and pluggable driver system which facilities a variety of resource controllers to automatically generate, maintain, and distribute MRML based resource descriptions. Once all of the resource topologies are absorbed by the RCE, a connected graph of the full distributed system topology is constructed, which forms the basis for computation and workflow processing. The RCE includes a Modular Computation Element (MCE) framework which allows for tailoring of the computation process to the specific set of resources under control, and the services desired. The input and output of an MCE are both model data based on MRS/MRML ontology and schema. Some of the RAINS project accomplishments include: Development of general and extensible multi-resource modeling framework; Design of a Resource Computation Engine (RCE) system which includes the following key capabilities; Absorb a variety of multi-resource model types and build integrated models; Novel architecture which uses model based communications across the full stack for all Flexible provision of abstract or intent based user facing interfaces; Workflow processing based on model descriptions; Release of the RCE as an open source software; Deployment of RCE in the University of Maryland/Mid-Atlantic Crossroad ScienceDMZ in prototype mode with a plan under way to transition to production; Deployment at the Argonne National Laboratory DTN Facility in prototype mode; Selection of RCE by the DOE SENSE (SDN for End-to-end Networked Science at the Exascale) project as the basis for their orchestration service.« less

Computer simulator for a mobile telephone system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schilling, D. L.

1981-01-01

A software simulator was developed to assist NASA in the design of the land mobile satellite service. Structured programming techniques were used by developing the algorithm using an ALCOL-like pseudo language and then encoding the algorithm into FORTRAN 4. The basic input data to the system is a sine wave signal although future plans call for actual sampled voice as the input signal. The simulator is capable of studying all the possible combinations of types and modes of calls through the use of five communication scenarios: single hop systems; double hop, signal gateway system; double hop, double gateway system; mobile to wireline system; and wireline to mobile system. The transmitter, fading channel, and interference source simulation are also discussed.

A digitally implemented preambleless demodulator for maritime and mobile data communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chalmers, Harvey; Shenoy, Ajit; Verahrami, Farhad B.

The hardware design and software algorithms for a low-bit-rate, low-cost, all-digital preambleless demodulator are described. The demodulator operates under severe high-noise conditions, fast Doppler frequency shifts, large frequency offsets, and multipath fading. Sophisticated algorithms, including a fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based burst acquisition algorithm, a cycle-slip resistant carrier phase tracker, an innovative Doppler tracker, and a fast acquisition symbol synchronizer, were developed and extensively simulated for reliable burst reception. The compact digital signal processor (DSP)-based demodulator hardware uses a unique personal computer test interface for downloading test data files. The demodulator test results demonstrate a near-ideal performance within 0.2 dB of theory.

Digital 8-DPSK Modem For Trellis-Coded Communication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jedrey, T. C.; Lay, N. E.; Rafferty, W.

1989-01-01

Digital real-time modem processes octuple differential-phase-shift-keyed trellis-coded modulation. Intended for use in communicating data at rate up to 4.8 kb/s in land-mobile satellite channel (Rician fading) of 5-kHz bandwidth at carrier frequency of 1 to 2 GHz. Modulator and demodulator contain digital signal processors performing modem functions. Design flexible in that functions altered via software. Modem successfully tested and evaluated in both laboratory and field experiments, including recent full-scale satellite experiment. In all cases, modem performed within 1 dB of theory. Other communication systems benefitting from this type of modem include land mobile (without satellites), paging, digitized voice, and frequency-modulation subcarrier data broadcasting.

Theoretical and experimental studies of turbo product code with time diversity in free space optical communication.

PubMed

Han, Yaoqiang; Dang, Anhong; Ren, Yongxiong; Tang, Junxiong; Guo, Hong

2010-12-20

In free space optical communication (FSOC) systems, channel fading caused by atmospheric turbulence degrades the system performance seriously. However, channel coding combined with diversity techniques can be exploited to mitigate channel fading. In this paper, based on the experimental study of the channel fading effects, we propose to use turbo product code (TPC) as the channel coding scheme, which features good resistance to burst errors and no error floor. However, only channel coding cannot cope with burst errors caused by channel fading, interleaving is also used. We investigate the efficiency of interleaving for different interleaving depths, and then the optimum interleaving depth for TPC is also determined. Finally, an experimental study of TPC with interleaving is demonstrated, and we show that TPC with interleaving can significantly mitigate channel fading in FSOC systems.

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution in uniform fast-fading channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papanastasiou, Panagiotis; Weedbrook, Christian; Pirandola, Stefano

2018-03-01

We investigate the performance of several continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocols in the presence of uniform fading channels. These are lossy channels whose transmissivity changes according to a uniform probability distribution. We assume the worst-case scenario where an eavesdropper induces a fast-fading process, where she chooses the instantaneous transmissivity while the remote parties may only detect the mean statistical effect. We analyze coherent-state protocols in various configurations, including the one-way switching protocol in reverse reconciliation, the measurement-device-independent protocol in the symmetric configuration, and its extension to a three-party network. We show that, regardless of the advantage given to the eavesdropper (control of the fading), these protocols can still achieve high rates under realistic attacks, within reasonable values for the variance of the probability distribution associated with the fading process.

The design, deployment, and testing of kriging models in GEOframe with SIK-0.9.8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bancheri, Marialaura; Serafin, Francesco; Bottazzi, Michele; Abera, Wuletawu; Formetta, Giuseppe; Rigon, Riccardo

2018-06-01

This work presents a software package for the interpolation of climatological variables, such as temperature and precipitation, using kriging techniques. The purposes of the paper are (1) to present a geostatistical software that is easy to use and easy to plug in to a hydrological model; (2) to provide a practical example of an accurately designed software from the perspective of reproducible research; and (3) to demonstrate the goodness of the results of the software and so have a reliable alternative to other, more traditional tools. A total of 11 types of theoretical semivariograms and four types of kriging were implemented and gathered into Object Modeling System-compliant components. The package provides real-time optimization for semivariogram and kriging parameters. The software was tested using a year's worth of hourly temperature readings and a rain storm event (11 h) recorded in 2008 and retrieved from 97 meteorological stations in the Isarco River basin, Italy. For both the variables, good interpolation results were obtained and then compared to the results from the R package gstat.

Effects of source spatial partial coherence on temporal fade statistics of irradiance flux in free-space optical links through atmospheric turbulence.

PubMed

Chen, Chunyi; Yang, Huamin; Zhou, Zhou; Zhang, Weizhi; Kavehrad, Mohsen; Tong, Shoufeng; Wang, Tianshu

2013-12-02

The temporal covariance function of irradiance-flux fluctua-tions for Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beams propagating in atmospheric turbulence is theoretically formulated by making use of the method of effective beam parameters. Based on this formulation, new expressions for the root-mean-square (RMS) bandwidth of the irradiance-flux temporal spectrum due to GSM beams passing through atmospheric turbulence are derived. With the help of these expressions, the temporal fade statistics of the irradiance flux in free-space optical (FSO) communication systems, using spatially partially coherent sources, impaired by atmospheric turbulence are further calculated. Results show that with a given receiver aperture size, the use of a spatially partially coherent source can reduce both the fractional fade time and average fade duration of the received light signal; however, when atmospheric turbulence grows strong, the reduction in the fractional fade time becomes insignificant for both large and small receiver apertures and in the average fade duration turns inconsiderable for small receiver apertures. It is also illustrated that if the receiver aperture size is fixed, changing the transverse correlation length of the source from a larger value to a smaller one can reduce the average fade frequency of the received light signal only when a threshold parameter in decibels greater than the critical threshold level is specified.

Timely event-related synchronization fading and phase de-locking and their defects in migraine.

PubMed

Yum, Myung-Kul; Moon, Jin-Hwa; Kang, Joong Koo; Kwon, Oh-Young; Park, Ki-Jong; Shon, Young-Min; Lee, Il Keun; Jung, Ki-Young

2014-07-01

To investigate the characteristics of event-related synchronization (ERS) fading and phase de-locking of alpha waves during passive auditory stimulation (PAS) in the migraine patients. The subjects were 16 adult women with migraine and 16 normal controls. Electroencephalographic (EEG) data obtained during PAS with standard (SS) and deviant stimuli (DS) were used. Alpha ERS fading, the phase locking index (PLI) and de-locking index (DLI) were evaluated from the 10 Hz complex Morlet wavelet components at 100 ms (t100) and 300 ms (t300) after PAS. At t100, significant ERS was found with SS and DS in the migraineurs and controls (P=0.000). At t300 in the controls, ERS faded to zero for DS while in the migraineurs there was no fading for DS. In both groups the PLI for SS and DS was significantly reduced, i.e. de-locked, at t300 compared to t100 (P=0.000). In the migraineurs, the DLI for DS was significantly lower than in the controls (P=0.003). The alpha ERS fading and phase de-locking are defective in migraineurs during passive auditory cognitive processing. The defects in timely alpha ERS fading and in de-locking may play a role in the different attention processing in migraine patients. Copyright © 2013 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evolving Improvements to TRMM Ground Validation Rainfall Estimates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robinson, M.; Kulie, M. S.; Marks, D. A.; Wolff, D. B.; Ferrier, B. S.; Amitai, E.; Silberstein, D. S.; Fisher, B. L.; Wang, J.; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The primary function of the TRMM Ground Validation (GV) Program is to create GV rainfall products that provide basic validation of satellite-derived precipitation measurements for select primary sites. Since the successful 1997 launch of the TRMM satellite, GV rainfall estimates have demonstrated systematic improvements directly related to improved radar and rain gauge data, modified science techniques, and software revisions. Improved rainfall estimates have resulted in higher quality GV rainfall products and subsequently, much improved evaluation products for the satellite-based precipitation estimates from TRMM. This presentation will demonstrate how TRMM GV rainfall products created in a semi-automated, operational environment have evolved and improved through successive generations. Monthly rainfall maps and rainfall accumulation statistics for each primary site will be presented for each stage of GV product development. Contributions from individual product modifications involving radar reflectivity (Ze)-rain rate (R) relationship refinements, improvements in rain gauge bulk-adjustment and data quality control processes, and improved radar and gauge data will be discussed. Finally, it will be demonstrated that as GV rainfall products have improved, rainfall estimation comparisons between GV and satellite have converged, lending confidence to the satellite-derived precipitation measurements from TRMM.

Evaluation of Multiple-Alternative Prompts during Tact Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leaf, Justin B.; Townley-Cochran, Donna; Mitchell, Erin; Milne, Christine; Alcalay, Aditt; Leaf, Jeremy; Leaf, Ron; Taubman, Mitch; McEachin, John; Oppenheim-Leaf, Misty L.

2016-01-01

This study compared 2 methods of fading prompts while teaching tacts to 3 individuals who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The 1st method involved use of an echoic prompt and prompt fading. The 2nd method involved providing multiple-alternative answers and fading by increasing the difficulty of the discrimination. An adapted…

Grouping Inhibits Motion Fading by Giving Rise to Virtual Trackable Features

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, P. -J.; Tse, P. U.

2007-01-01

After prolonged viewing of a slowly drifting or rotating pattern under strict fixation, the pattern appears to slow down and then momentarily stop. The authors show that grouping can slow down the process of "motion fading," suggesting that cortical configural form analysis interacts with the computation of motion signals during motion fading. The…

Using Audio Script Fading and Multiple-Exemplar Training to Increase Vocal Interactions in Children with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garcia-Albea, Elena; Reeve, Sharon A.; Brothers, Kevin J.; Reeve, Kenneth F.

2014-01-01

Script-fading procedures have been shown to be effective for teaching children with autism to initiate and participate in social interactions without vocal prompts from adults. In previous script and script-fading research, however, there has been no demonstration of a generalized repertoire of vocal interactions under the control of naturally…

Using Stimulus Fading without Escape Extinction to Increase Compliance with Toothbrushing in Children with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bishop, Michele R.; Kenzer, Amy L.; Coffman, Christine M.; Tarbox, Courtney M.; Tarbox, Jonathan; Lanagan, Taira M.

2013-01-01

Routine toothbrushing is an essential part of good oral hygiene. This study investigated the use of stimulus fading without escape extinction to increase compliance with toothbrushing with three children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A 30-step stimulus fading hierarchy was implemented; gradually increasing the proximity of the toothbrush to…

LATENT IMAGE FADING IN DOSIMETER FILM EMULSIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Musialowicz, T.; Wysopolski, J.

Latent image fading in film emulsions produced by Foton for dosimeter purposes is investigated with regard to the influence of time. The decrease of density caused by latent image fading in normal conditions of storing and relative humidity of 50 to 80% does not exceed 10% during a year. This corresponds to the dose reading error up to 20%. (auth)

SU-E-T-75: Commissioning Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeters for Fast Neutron Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Young, L; Yang, F; Sandison, G

Purpose: Fast neutrons therapy used at the University of Washington is clinically proven to be more effective than photon therapy in treating salivary gland and other cancers. A nanodot optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) system was chosen to be commissioned for patient in vivo dosimetry for neutron therapy. The OSL-based radiation detectors are not susceptible to radiation damage caused by neutrons compared to diodes or MOSFET systems. Methods: An In-Light microStar OSL system was commissioned for in vivo use by radiating Landauer nanodots with neutrons generated from 50.0 MeV protons accelerated onto a beryllium target. The OSLs were calibrated the depthmore » of maximum dose in solid water localized to 150 cm SAD isocenter in a 10.3 cm square field. Linearity was tested over a typical clinical dose fractionation range i.e. 0 to 150 neutron-cGy. Correction factors for transient signal fading, trap depletion, gantry angle, field size, and wedge factor dependencies were also evaluated. The OSLs were photo-bleached between radiations using a tungsten-halogen lamp. Results: Landauer sensitivity factors published for each nanodot are valid for measuring photon and electron doses but do not apply for neutron irradiation. Individually calculated nanodot calibration factors exhibited a 2–5% improvement over calibration factors computed by the microStar InLight software. Transient fading effects had a significant impact on neutron dose reading accuracy compared to photon and electron in vivo dosimetry. Greater accuracy can be achieved by calibrating and reading each dosimeter within 1–2 hours after irradiation. No additional OSL correction factors were needed for field size, gantry angle, or wedge factors in solid water phantom measurements. Conclusion: OSL detectors are a useful for neutron beam in vivo dosimetry verification. Dosimetric accuracy comparable to conventional diode systems can be achieved. Accounting for transient fading effects during the neutron beam calibration is a critical component for achieving comparable accuracy.« less

Intergranular Cracking as a Major Cause of Long-Term Capacity Fading of Layered Cathodes.

PubMed

Liu, Hao; Wolf, Mark; Karki, Khim; Yu, Young-Sang; Stach, Eric A; Cabana, Jordi; Chapman, Karena W; Chupas, Peter J

2017-06-14

Capacity fading has limited commercial layered Li-ion battery electrodes to <70% of their theoretical capacity. Higher capacities can be achieved initially by charging to higher voltages, however, these gains are eroded by a faster fade in capacity. Increasing lifetimes and reversible capacity are contingent on identifying the origin of this capacity fade to inform electrode design and synthesis. We used operando X-ray diffraction to observe how the lithiation-delithiation reactions within a LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2 (NCA) electrode change after capacity fade following months of slow charge-discharge. The changes in the reactions that underpin energy storage after long-term cycling directly correlate to the capacity loss; heterogeneous reaction kinetics observed during extended cycles quantitatively account for the capacity loss. This reaction heterogeneity is ultimately attributed to intergranular fracturing that degrades the connectivity of subsurface grains within the polycrystalline NCA aggregate.

Motion fading is driven by perceived, not actual angular velocity.

PubMed

Kohler, P J; Caplovitz, G P; Hsieh, P-J; Sun, J; Tse, P U

2010-06-01

After prolonged viewing of a slowly drifting or rotating pattern under strict fixation, the pattern appears to slow down and then momentarily stop. Here we examine the relationship between such 'motion fading' and perceived angular velocity. Using several different dot patterns that generate emergent virtual contours, we demonstrate that whenever there is a difference in the perceived angular velocity of two patterns of dots that are in fact rotating at the same angular velocity, there is also a difference in the time to undergo motion fading for those two patterns. Conversely, whenever two patterns show no difference in perceived angular velocity, even if in fact rotating at different angular velocities, we find no difference in the time to undergo motion fading. Thus, motion fading is driven by the perceived rather than actual angular velocity of a rotating stimulus. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An examination of ham colour fading using optical fibre methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheridan, Cormac; O'Farrell, Marion; Lewis, Elfed; Flanagan, Colin; Kerry, John F.; Jackman, Nick

2006-10-01

Sliced ham products undergo significant discolouration and fading when placed in retail display cabinets. This is due to factors such as illumination of the display cabinet, packaging, i.e. low OTR (Oxygen Transmission Rate) or very low OTR packaging, product to headspace ratio and percentage of residual oxygen. This paper presents initial investigations into the development of a sensor to measure rate of colour fading in cured ham, in order to predict an optimum colour sell-by-date. An investigation has been carried out that shows that spectral reflections offer more reproducibility than CIE L*a*b* readings, which are, at present, most often used to measure meat colour. Self-Organising Maps were then used to classify the data into five colour fading stages, from very pink to grey. The results presented here show that this classifier could prove an effective system for determining the rate of colour fading in ham.

Facilitating tolerance of delayed reinforcement during functional communication training.

PubMed

Fisher, W W; Thompson, R H; Hagopian, L P; Bowman, L G; Krug, A

2000-01-01

Few clinical investigations have addressed the problem of delayed reinforcement. In this investigation, three individuals whose destructive behavior was maintained by positive reinforcement were treated using functional communication training (FCT) with extinction (EXT). Next, procedures used in the basic literature on delayed reinforcement and self-control (reinforcer delay fading, punishment of impulsive responding, and provision of an alternative activity during reinforcer delay) were used to teach participants to tolerate delayed reinforcement. With the first case, reinforcer delay fading alone was effective at maintaining low rates of destructive behavior while introducing delayed reinforcement. In the second case, the addition of a punishment component reduced destructive behavior to near-zero levels and facilitated reinforcer delay fading. With the third case, reinforcer delay fading was associated with increases in masturbation and head rolling, but prompting and praising the individual for completing work during the delay interval reduced all problem behaviors and facilitated reinforcer delay fading.

Stimulus Fading and Differential Reinforcement for the Treatment of Needle Phobia in a Youth with Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shabani, Daniel B.; Fisher, Wayne W.

2006-01-01

Stimulus fading in the form of gradually increased exposure to a fear-evoking stimulus, often combined with differential reinforcement, has been used to treat phobias in children who are otherwise normal and in children with autism. In this investigation, we applied stimulus fading plus differential reinforcement with an adolescent with autism and…

An Investigation of the Impact of Instructional Fading Using Completion Problems on Student Performance in Principles of Accounting Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kingry, Mary Ann

2012-01-01

The effects of instructional fading using completion problems on student performance were investigated in this study. Instructional fading is the gradual withdrawal of the amount of assistance provided to the student and was accomplished in this study using completion problems. They were used to gradually transition the student from completely…

Performance analysis of the ALOHA protocol with replication in a fading channel for the Mobile Satellite Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clare, L. P.; Yan, T.-Y.

1985-01-01

The analysis of the ALOHA random access protocol for communications channels with fading is presented. The protocol is modified to send multiple contiguous copies of a message at each transmission attempt. Both pure and slotted ALOHA channels are considered. A general two state model is used for the channel error process to account for the channel fading memory. It is shown that greater throughput and smaller delay may be achieved using repetitions. The model is applied to the analysis of the delay-throughput performance in a fading mobile communications environment. Numerical results are given for NASA's Mobile Satellite Experiment.

Trellis coding techniques for mobile communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divsalar, D.; Simon, M. K.; Jedrey, T.

1988-01-01

A criterion for designing optimum trellis codes to be used over fading channels is given. A technique is shown for reducing certain multiple trellis codes, optimally designed for the fading channel, to conventional (i.e., multiplicity one) trellis codes. The computational cutoff rate R0 is evaluated for MPSK transmitted over fading channels. Examples of trellis codes optimally designed for the Rayleigh fading channel are given and compared with respect to R0. Two types of modulation/demodulation techniques are considered, namely coherent (using pilot tone-aided carrier recovery) and differentially coherent with Doppler frequency correction. Simulation results are given for end-to-end performance of two trellis-coded systems.

Effect of Composition on the Voltage Fade Phenomenon in Lithium-, Manganese-Rich xLiMnO 3•(1-x)LiNi aMn bCo cO 2: A Combinatorial Synthesis Approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vu, Anh; Qin, Yan; Bareno, Javier

2015-10-30

The effect of composition on the voltage fade phenomenon was probed using combinatorial synthesis methods. In compositions that have the general formula, (Li 2MnO 3) a(LiNiO 2) b(LiMnO 2) c(LiCoO 2) d, where 0 ≤ a≤0.83, 0.15 ≤ b ≤ 0.42, 0 ≤ c ≤ 0.85, and 0 ≤ d ≤ 0.30 (a + b + c + d = 1), the dependence of features in the x-ray diffraction pattern and of voltage fade on composition were identified and mapped. The observed values of voltage fade indicated that it displayed some sensitivity to composition, but that the sensitivity was notmore » large. The values of voltage fade were found to be amenable to statistical modeling. The model indicated that it may be possible to lower the value of voltage fade below 0.01% by adjusting the composition of the system; however, the composition is not expected to have the layered–layered structure.« less

A Power-Efficient Clustering Protocol for Coal Mine Face Monitoring with Wireless Sensor Networks Under Channel Fading Conditions

PubMed Central

Ren, Peng; Qian, Jiansheng

2016-01-01

This study proposes a novel power-efficient and anti-fading clustering based on a cross-layer that is specific to the time-varying fading characteristics of channels in the monitoring of coal mine faces with wireless sensor networks. The number of active sensor nodes and a sliding window are set up such that the optimal number of cluster heads (CHs) is selected in each round. Based on a stable expected number of CHs, we explore the channel efficiency between nodes and the base station by using a probe frame and the joint surplus energy in assessing the CH selection. Moreover, the sending power of a node in different periods is regulated by the signal fade margin method. The simulation results demonstrate that compared with several common algorithms, the power-efficient and fading-aware clustering with a cross-layer (PEAFC-CL) protocol features a stable network topology and adaptability under signal time-varying fading, which effectively prolongs the lifetime of the network and reduces network packet loss, thus making it more applicable to the complex and variable environment characteristic of a coal mine face. PMID:27338380

Crosstalk: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering. Volume 22, Number 2, February 2009

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-01

IT Investment With Service-Oriented Architecture ( SOA ), Geoffrey Raines examines how an SOA offers federal senior leadership teams an incremental and...values, and is used by 30 million people. [1] Given budget constraints, an incre- mental approach seems to be required. A Path Forward SOA , as implemented...point of view, SOA offers several positive benefits. Language Neutral Integration Web-enabling applications with a com- mon browser interface became a

Quality control algorithms for rainfall measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golz, Claudia; Einfalt, Thomas; Gabella, Marco; Germann, Urs

2005-09-01

One of the basic requirements for a scientific use of rain data from raingauges, ground and space radars is data quality control. Rain data could be used more intensively in many fields of activity (meteorology, hydrology, etc.), if the achievable data quality could be improved. This depends on the available data quality delivered by the measuring devices and the data quality enhancement procedures. To get an overview of the existing algorithms a literature review and literature pool have been produced. The diverse algorithms have been evaluated to meet VOLTAIRE objectives and sorted in different groups. To test the chosen algorithms an algorithm pool has been established, where the software is collected. A large part of this work presented here is implemented in the scope of the EU-project VOLTAIRE ( Validati on of mu ltisensors precipit ation fields and numerical modeling in Mediter ran ean test sites).

Analysis of aircraft microwave measurements of the ocean surface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willand, J. H.; Fowler, M. G.; Reifenstein, E. C., III; Chang, D. T.

1973-01-01

A data system was developed to process, from calibrated brightness temperature to computation of estimated parameters, the microwave measurements obtained by the NASA CV-990 aircraft during the 1972 Meteorological Expedition. A primary objective of the study was the implementation of an integrated software system at the computing facility of NASA/GSFC, and its application to the 1972 data. A single test case involving measurements away from and over a heavy rain cell was chosen to examine the effect of clouds upon the ability to infer ocean surface parameters. The results indicate substantial agreement with those of the theoretical study; namely, that the values obtained for the surface properties are consistent with available ground-truth information, and are reproducible except within the heaviest portions of the rain cell, at which nonlinear (or saturation) effects become apparent. Finally, it is seen that uncorrected instrumental effects introduce systematic errors which may limit the accuracy of the method.

Evaluation of the Influence of Wind-Driven Rain on Moisture in Cellular Concrete Wall Boards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alsabry, A.; Nikitsin, V. I.; Kofanov, V. A.; Backiel-Brzozowska, B.

2017-08-01

The non-stationary moisture level of a cellular concrete wall board in a heated utility building located in the northern part of the town of Brest (Belarus), depending on the climatic influence, was assessed in this work. The results were obtained both in a calculation experiment and a physical test. It was observed that the main reason for the high moisture levels in cellular concrete is wind-driven rain intensifying the process of free capillary moisture transfer. A comparative analysis of the results of the physical test and the calculation experiment showed that the THSS software elaborated by the authors was able to predict the actual moisture levels of the shielding structure under study accurately enough when precise data concerning the thermal and physical characteristics of the materials as well as the occurring climatic influences were submitted.

Blind Equalization and Fading Channel Signal Recovery of OFDM Modulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

Square LTI Linear Time Invariant MIMO Multiple-Input Multiple-Output OFDM Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing QPSK Quadrature Phase-Shift...AND FADING CHANNEL SIGNAL RECOVERY OF OFDM MODULATION by Anthony G. Stranges March 2011 Thesis Co-Advisors: Roberto Cristi Frank Kragh...Master’s Thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Blind Equalization and Fading Channel Signal Recovery of OFDM Modulation 6. AUTHOR(S) Anthony G. Stranges

SU-E-T-222: Investigation of Pre and Post Irradiation Fading of the TLD100 Thermoluminescence Dosimetry for Photon Beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sina, S; Sadeghi, M; Faghihi, R

2014-06-01

Purpose: The pre-irradiation and post-irradiation fading of the Thermoluminescense dosimeter signals were investigated in this study. Methods: Two groups of TLD chips with pre-determined ECC values were used in this study. The two groups were divided into 6 series, each composing of 5 TLD chips.The first group was used for pre-irradiation fading. 5 TLDs were exposed to a known amount of radiation from Cs-137 source, and were read out the next day. After seven days, the other 5 TLDs were exposed to the same amount of radiation and were read out after a day. The other series of 5 TLDsmore » were also exposed after 7,19,28, 59, and 90 days, and were read out a day after irradiation. The loss in TLD signal were obtained for all the above cases. The second group, was used for postirradiation fading. All the TLDs of this group were exposed to a known amount of radiation from Cs-137 source. The 6 series composed of 5 TLDs were read out after 1,7,19,28,59, and 90 days. The above-mentioned procedures for obtaining pre-irradiation, and post-irradiation fading were performed for three storage temperatures (25°C, 4°C, and −18°C). Results: According to the results obtained in this study, in case of pre-irradiation fading study, the signal losses after 90 days are 12%, 24%, and 17% for 25°C, 4°C, and −18°C respectively. In case of post-irradiation fading study, the sensitivity losses after 90 days are 25%, 216%, and 20% for 25°C, 4°C, and −18°C respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that the optimized time between exposing and reading out, and also the optimized time between annealing and exposing is 1 day.The reduction of Storage temperature will reduce the post-irradiation fading, While temperature reduction does not have any effect on pre-irradiation fading.« less

Upgrading Custom Simulink Library Components for Use in Newer Versions of Matlab

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Camiren L.

2014-01-01

The Spaceport Command and Control System (SCCS) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is a control system for monitoring and launching manned launch vehicles. Simulations of ground support equipment (GSE) and the launch vehicle systems are required throughout the life cycle of SCCS to test software, hardware, and procedures to train the launch team. The simulations of the GSE at the launch site in conjunction with off-line processing locations are developed using Simulink, a piece of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software. The simulations that are built are then converted into code and ran in a simulation engine called Trick, a Government off-the-shelf (GOTS) piece of software developed by NASA. In the world of hardware and software, it is not uncommon to see the products that are utilized be upgraded and patched or eventually fade away into an obsolete status. In the case of SCCS simulation software, Matlab, a MathWorks product, has released a number of stable versions of Simulink since the deployment of the software on the Development Work Stations in the Linux environment (DWLs). The upgraded versions of Simulink has introduced a number of new tools and resources that, if utilized fully and correctly, will save time and resources during the overall development of the GSE simulation and its correlating documentation. Unfortunately, simply importing the already built simulations into the new Matlab environment will not suffice as it will produce results that may not be expected as they were in the version that is currently being utilized. Thus, an upgrade execution plan was developed and executed to fully upgrade the simulation environment to one of the latest versions of Matlab.

A novel scheme to aid coherent detection of GMSK signals in fast Rayleigh fading channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leung, Patrick S. K.; Feher, Kamilo

1990-01-01

A novel scheme to insert carrier pilot to Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) signal using Binary Block Code (BBC) and a highpass filter in baseband is proposed. This allows the signal to be coherently demodulated even in a fast Rayleigh fading environment. As an illustrative example, the scheme is applied to a 16 kb/s GMSK signal, and its performance over a fast Rayleigh fading channel is investigated using computer simulation. This modem's 'irreducible error rate' is found to be Pe = 5.5 x 10(exp -5) which is more than that of differential detection. The modem's performance in Rician fading channel is currently under investigation.

Dispersion induced power fading for radio frequency signals and its application for fast online PMD and CD monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, G.; Shum, P.

2007-06-01

We derive the expressions for the power fading including first-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD), chromatic dispersion, chirp parameter as well as polarization-dependent chromatic dispersion (PCD), which is dependent on the angle of precession of output state of polarization around the PMD vector. From the expression for radio frequency (RF) signals power fading, we get the average power fading for chromatic dispersion, chirp parameter, first-order PMD and PCD for both double sideband (DSB) modulation and single sideband (SSB) modulation. We also demonstrate a fast PMD and chromatic dispersion monitoring technology with reduced polarization-dependent gain. The measured results agree well with theoretical analysis.

Channel fading for mobile satellite communications using spread spectrum signaling and TDRSS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, Jeffrey D.; Fan, Yiping; Osborne, William P.

1995-01-01

This paper will present some preliminary results from a propagation experiment which employed NASA's TDRSS and an 8 MHz chip rate spread spectrum signal. Channel fade statistics were measured and analyzed in 21 representative geographical locations covering urban/suburban, open plain, and forested areas. Cumulative distribution Functions (CDF's) of 12 individual locations are presented and classified based on location. Representative CDF's from each of these three types of terrain are summarized. These results are discussed, and the fade depths exceeded 10 percent of the time in three types of environments are tabulated. The spread spectrum fade statistics for tree-lined roads are compared with the Empirical Roadside Shadowing Model.

Separable concatenated codes with iterative map decoding for Rician fading channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lodge, J. H.; Young, R. J.

1993-01-01

Very efficient signalling in radio channels requires the design of very powerful codes having special structure suitable for practical decoding schemes. In this paper, powerful codes are obtained by combining comparatively simple convolutional codes to form multi-tiered 'separable' convolutional codes. The decoding of these codes, using separable symbol-by-symbol maximum a posteriori (MAP) 'filters', is described. It is known that this approach yields impressive results in non-fading additive white Gaussian noise channels. Interleaving is an inherent part of the code construction, and consequently, these codes are well suited for fading channel communications. Here, simulation results for communications over Rician fading channels are presented to support this claim.

The performance of trellis coded multilevel DPSK on a fading mobile satellite channel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Marvin K.; Divsalar, Dariush

1987-01-01

The performance of trellis coded multilevel differential phase-shift-keying (MDPSK) over Rician and Rayleigh fading channels is discussed. For operation at L-Band, this signalling technique leads to a more robust system than the coherent system with dual pilot tone calibration previously proposed for UHF. The results are obtained using a combination of analysis and simulation. The analysis shows that the design criterion for trellis codes to be operated on fading channels with interleaving/deinterleaving is no longer free Euclidean distance. The correct design criterion for optimizing bit error probability of trellis coded MDPSK over fading channels will be presented along with examples illustrating its application.

Delay-distribution-dependent H∞ state estimation for delayed neural networks with (x,v)-dependent noises and fading channels.

PubMed

Sheng, Li; Wang, Zidong; Tian, Engang; Alsaadi, Fuad E

2016-12-01

This paper deals with the H ∞ state estimation problem for a class of discrete-time neural networks with stochastic delays subject to state- and disturbance-dependent noises (also called (x,v)-dependent noises) and fading channels. The time-varying stochastic delay takes values on certain intervals with known probability distributions. The system measurement is transmitted through fading channels described by the Rice fading model. The aim of the addressed problem is to design a state estimator such that the estimation performance is guaranteed in the mean-square sense against admissible stochastic time-delays, stochastic noises as well as stochastic fading signals. By employing the stochastic analysis approach combined with the Kronecker product, several delay-distribution-dependent conditions are derived to ensure that the error dynamics of the neuron states is stochastically stable with prescribed H ∞ performance. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Capacity Fade Analysis of Sulfur Cathodes in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

PubMed Central

Yan, Jianhua; Liu, Xingbo

2016-01-01

Rechargeable lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries are receiving ever‐increasing attention due to their high theoretical energy density and inexpensive raw sulfur materials. However, their rapid capacity fade has been one of the key barriers for their further improvement. It is well accepted that the major degradation mechanisms of S‐cathodes include low electrical conductivity of S and sulfides, precipitation of nonconductive Li2S2 and Li2S, and poly‐shuttle effects. To determine these degradation factors, a comprehensive study of sulfur cathodes with different amounts of electrolytes is presented here. A survey of the fundamentals of Li–S chemistry with respect to capacity fade is first conducted; then, the parameters obtained through electrochemical performance and characterization are used to determine the key causes of capacity fade in Li–S batteries. It is confirmed that the formation and accumulation of nonconductive Li2S2/Li2S films on sulfur cathode surfaces are the major parameters contributing to the rapid capacity fade of Li–S batteries. PMID:27981001

Fading test using the SAAD-POSL method for retrospective accidental dosimetry of building materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, M. J.; Lee, Y. J.; Lee, J. I.; Kim, J. L.; Hong, D. G.

2015-11-01

Fading test using the single aliquot additive dose method with pulsed optically stimulated luminescence (SAAD-POSL method) was applied to core-disc samples extracted from heated red brick, tile, roof-tile, and toilet porcelain after X-ray and beta irradiation. From thermoluminescence measurements of each material, the optimal preheat condition of the SAAD-POSL method was first determined as 170 °C for 10 s. Fading characteristics of core-disc samples of heated red brick obtained using the SAAD-POSL method were similar to those of quartz grains (90-250 μm) obtained using the SAR-OSL method, regardless of the differences in the sample and radiation type. Fading evaluations of the core-disc samples of these building materials two weeks after irradiation showed that the equivalent dose (ED) decreased between 5% and 42%. The results indicate that the fading characteristics will be able to contribute to a more accurate estimation of the ED value using the SAAD-POSL method.

Using audio script fading and multiple-exemplar training to increase vocal interactions in children with autism.

PubMed

Garcia-Albea, Elena; Reeve, Sharon A; Brothers, Kevin J; Reeve, Kenneth F

2014-01-01

Script-fading procedures have been shown to be effective for teaching children with autism to initiate and participate in social interactions without vocal prompts from adults. In previous script and script-fading research, however, there has been no demonstration of a generalized repertoire of vocal interactions under the control of naturally occurring relevant stimuli. In this study, 4 boys with autism were taught to initiate a conversation in the presence of toys through the use of a script and script-fading procedure. Training with multiple categories and exemplars of toys was used to increase the likelihood of generalization of vocal interactions across novel toys. A multiple-probe design across participants was used to assess the effects of these procedures. The intervention successfully brought interactions by children with autism under the control of relevant stimuli in the environment. Future research pertaining to the specific implementation of these procedures (e.g., fading, script placement, participant characteristics) is discussed. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Simulator of Space Communication Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clare, Loren; Jennings, Esther; Gao, Jay; Segui, John; Kwong, Winston

2005-01-01

Multimission Advanced Communications Hybrid Environment for Test and Evaluation (MACHETE) is a suite of software tools that simulates the behaviors of communication networks to be used in space exploration, and predict the performance of established and emerging space communication protocols and services. MACHETE consists of four general software systems: (1) a system for kinematic modeling of planetary and spacecraft motions; (2) a system for characterizing the engineering impact on the bandwidth and reliability of deep-space and in-situ communication links; (3) a system for generating traffic loads and modeling of protocol behaviors and state machines; and (4) a system of user-interface for performance metric visualizations. The kinematic-modeling system makes it possible to characterize space link connectivity effects, including occultations and signal losses arising from dynamic slant-range changes and antenna radiation patterns. The link-engineering system also accounts for antenna radiation patterns and other phenomena, including modulations, data rates, coding, noise, and multipath fading. The protocol system utilizes information from the kinematic-modeling and link-engineering systems to simulate operational scenarios of space missions and evaluate overall network performance. In addition, a Communications Effect Server (CES) interface for MACHETE has been developed to facilitate hybrid simulation of space communication networks with actual flight/ground software/hardware embedded in the overall system.

Effects of explicit and implicit prompts on students' inquiry practices in computer-supported learning environments in high school earth science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Su-Chi; Hsu, Ying-Shao; Hsu, Wei Hsiu

2016-07-01

The study explored how to best use scaffolds for supporting students' inquiry practices in computer-supported learning environments. We designed a series of inquiry units assisted with three versions of written inquiry prompts (generic and context-specific); that is, three scaffold-fading conditions: implicit, explicit, and fading. We then examined how the three scaffold-fading conditions influenced students' conceptual understanding, understanding of scientific inquiry, and inquiry abilities. Three grade-10 classes (N = 105) participated in this study; they were randomly assigned to and taught in the three conditions. Data-collection procedures included a pretest-posttest approach and in-depth observations of the target students. The findings showed that after these inquiry units, all of the students exhibited significant learning gains in conceptual knowledge and performed better inquiry abilities regardless of which condition was used. The explicit and fading conditions were more effective in enhancing students' understanding of scientific inquiry. The fading condition tended to better support the students' development of inquiry abilities and help transfer these abilities to a new setting involving an independent socioscientific task about where to build a dam. The results suggest that fading plays an essential role in enhancing the effectiveness of scaffolds.

Planning assistance for the NASA 30/20 GHz program. Network control architecture study.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Inukai, T.; Bonnelycke, B.; Strickland, S.

1982-01-01

Network Control Architecture for a 30/20 GHz flight experiment system operating in the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) was studied. Architecture development, identification of processing functions, and performance requirements for the Master Control Station (MCS), diversity trunking stations, and Customer Premises Service (CPS) stations are covered. Preliminary hardware and software processing requirements as well as budgetary cost estimates for the network control system are given. For the trunking system control, areas covered include on board SS-TDMA switch organization, frame structure, acquisition and synchronization, channel assignment, fade detection and adaptive power control, on board oscillator control, and terrestrial network timing. For the CPS control, they include on board processing and adaptive forward error correction control.

Spoon-to-Cup Fading as Treatment for Cup Drinking in a Child with Intestinal Failure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Groff, Rebecca A.; Piazza, Cathleen C.; Zeleny, Jason R.; Dempsey, Jack R.

2011-01-01

We treated a child with intestinal failure who consumed solids on a spoon but not liquids from a cup. We used spoon-to-cup fading, which consisted of taping a spoon to a cup and then gradually moving the bowl of the spoon closer to the edge of the cup. Spoon-to-cup fading was effective for increasing consumption of liquids from a cup. (Contains 2…

Backwards Fading to Speed Task Learning

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

estimates.) Table 1 Finalized Task List Task Domain Task Name Knot Tying Hand Cuff Rappel First Aid Fracture Bleed Map Reading* Resection...materials used. Hand Cuff . There are 10 steps in this task. To complete this task, the learner must manipulate a short length of rope (e.g...Design for Experiment 1 – Step Fade Experiment 1 (Step Fade) Task Type: Knot Tying Task Type: First Aid Task Complexity: Low (1) Hand Cuff (10

Mechanisms for capacity fading in the NiH2 cell and its effects on cycle life

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, Albert H.

1993-01-01

During recent years there have been a number of instances where the capacity of nickel hydrogen battery cells has proven to be unstable during storage. The capacity losses seen after periods of cell or battery storage have typically varied from only a small amount of fading, up to about 30 percent of the total cell capacity. Detailed studies into the root causes for such fading have been carried out in a number of instances. This report provides an overview of the different mechanisms that have been found to be responsible for such capacity fading in nickel hydrogen cells, and summarizes the presently available data on how each responsible mechanism affects ultimate cell cycle life.

Event-based recursive filtering for a class of nonlinear stochastic parameter systems over fading channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yuxuan; Wang, Zidong; Shen, Bo; Alsaadi, Fuad E.

2018-07-01

In this paper, the recursive filtering problem is studied for a class of time-varying nonlinear systems with stochastic parameter matrices. The measurement transmission between the sensor and the filter is conducted through a fading channel characterized by the Rice fading model. An event-based transmission mechanism is adopted to decide whether the sensor measurement should be transmitted to the filter. A recursive filter is designed such that, in the simultaneous presence of the stochastic parameter matrices and fading channels, the filtering error covariance is guaranteed to have an upper bound and such an upper bound is then minimized by appropriately choosing filter gain matrix. Finally, a simulation example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed filtering scheme.

A system for the simulation and evaluation of satellite communication networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bagwell, J. W.

1983-01-01

With the emergence of a new era in satellite communications brought about by NASA's thrust into the Ka band with multibeam and onboard processing technologies, new and innovative techniques for evaluating these concepts and systems are required. To this end, NASA, in conjunction with its extensive program for advanced communications technology development, has undertaken to develop a concept for the simulation and evaluation of a complete communications network. Incorporated in this network will be proof of concept models of the latest technologies proposed for future satellite communications systems. These include low noise receivers, matrix switches, baseband processors, and solid state and tube type high power amplifiers. To accomplish this, numerous supporting technologies must be added to those aforementioned proof of concept models. These include controllers for synchronization, order wire, and resource allocation, gain compensation, signal leveling, power augmentation, and rain fade and range delay simulation. Taken together, these will be assembled to comprise a system capable of addressing numerous design and performance questions. The simulation and evaluation system as planned will be modular in design and implementation, capable of modification and updating to track and evaluate a continuum emerging concepts and technologies.

A 30/20 GHz FSS feasibility study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

The near term feasibility of direct-to-subscriber services were determined using the 30/20 GHz Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) frequency bands. Those technologies which need to be further developed before such a system can be implemented, were identified. To determine this feasibility, dozens of potential applications were examined for their near-term viability, and the subscriber base of three promising applications were estimated. The system requirements, terminal design, and satellite architecture were all investigated to determine whether a 30/20 GHz FSS system is technically and economically feasible by mid-1990s. It was concluded that such a system is feasible, although maturation of some technologies is needed. This system would likely consist of one or two multibeam satellites serving hub/spoke networks of simple user terminals and more complex, mutli-channel terminals of the service providers. Rain compensation would be accomplished non-adaptively through the use of coding, nonuniform satellite TWT power that is a function of a beam's anticipated downlink fading, and signal regeneration of traffic to the wettest climate regions. It was estimated that a potential market of almost two million users could exist in in the mid-1990s time frame for home banking and financial services via Ka-band satellites.

Design of a Combined Beacon Receiver and Digital Radiometer for 40 GHz Propagation Measurements at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zemba, Michael; Nessel, James; Morabito, David

2017-01-01

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have jointly developed an atmospheric propagation terminal to measure and characterize propagation phenomena at 40 GHz at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex (MDSCC) in Robledo de Chavela, Spain. The hybrid Q-band system utilizes a novel design which combines a 40 GHz beacon receiver and digital radiometer into the same RF front-end and observes the 39.402 GHz beacon of the European Space Agencys Alphasat Aldo Paraboni TDP5 experiment. Atmospheric measurements include gaseous absorption, rain fade, and scintillation. The radiometric measurement is calibrated by means of an included noise diode as well as tipping calibration. The goals of these measurements are to assist MDSCC mission operations as the facility increasingly supports Ka-band missions, as well as to contribute to the development and improvement of International Telecommunications Union (ITU) models for prediction of communications systems performance within the Q-band through the Aldo Paraboni Experiment. Herein, we provide an overview of the system design, characterization, and plan of operations which commenced at the MDSCC beginning in March 2017.

When and why do old adults outsource control to the environment?

PubMed

Mayr, Ulrich; Spieler, Daniel H; Hutcheon, Thomas G

2015-09-01

Old adults' tendency to rely on information present in the environment rather than internal representations has been frequently noted, but is not well understood. The fade-out paradigm provides a useful model situation to study this internal-to-external shift across the life span: Subjects need to transition from an initial, cued task-switching phase to a fade-out phase where only 1 task remains relevant. Old adults exhibit large response-time "fade-out costs," mainly because they continue to consult the task cues. Here we show that age differences in fade-out costs remain very large even when we insert between the task-switching and the fade-out phase 20 single-task trials without task cues (during which even old adults' performance becomes highly fluent; Experiment 1), but costs in old adults are eliminated when presenting an on-screen instruction to focus on the 1 remaining task at the transition point between the task-switching and fade-out phase (Experiment 2). Furthermore, old adults, but not young adults, also exhibited "fade-in costs" when they were instructed to perform an initial single-task phase that would be followed by the cued task-switching phase (Experiment 3). Combined, these results show that old adults' tendency to overutilize external support is not a problem of perseverating earlier-relevant control settings. Instead, old adults seem less likely to initiate the necessary reconfiguration process when transitioning from 1 phase to the next because they use underspecified task models that lack the higher-level distinction between those contexts that do and that do not require external support. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Reliable video transmission over fading channels via channel state estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumwilaisak, Wuttipong; Kim, JongWon; Kuo, C.-C. Jay

2000-04-01

Transmission of continuous media such as video over time- varying wireless communication channels can benefit from the use of adaptation techniques in both source and channel coding. An adaptive feedback-based wireless video transmission scheme is investigated in this research with special emphasis on feedback-based adaptation. To be more specific, an interactive adaptive transmission scheme is developed by letting the receiver estimate the channel state information and send it back to the transmitter. By utilizing the feedback information, the transmitter is capable of adapting the level of protection by changing the flexible RCPC (rate-compatible punctured convolutional) code ratio depending on the instantaneous channel condition. The wireless channel is modeled as a fading channel, where the long-term and short- term fading effects are modeled as the log-normal fading and the Rayleigh flat fading, respectively. Then, its state (mainly the long term fading portion) is tracked and predicted by using an adaptive LMS (least mean squares) algorithm. By utilizing the delayed feedback on the channel condition, the adaptation performance of the proposed scheme is first evaluated in terms of the error probability and the throughput. It is then extended to incorporate variable size packets of ITU-T H.263+ video with the error resilience option. Finally, the end-to-end performance of wireless video transmission is compared against several non-adaptive protection schemes.

Explore the Effects of Microstructural Defects on Voltage Fade of Li- and Mn-Rich Cathodes

DOE PAGES

Hu, E.; Lyu, Y.; Xin, H.; ...

2016-09-26

Li- and Mn-rich (LMR) cathode materials have been considered as promising candidates for energy storage applications due to high energy density. However, these materials suffer from a serious problem of voltage fade. Oxygen loss and the layer to spinel phase transition are two major contributors of such voltage fade. In this paper, using a combination of x-ray diffraction (XRD), pair distribution function (PDF), x-ray absorption (XAS) techniques and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), we studied the effects of micro structural defects, especially the grain boundaries on the oxygen loss and layered-to-spinel phase transition through prelithiation of a model compoundmore » Li2Ru0.5Mn0.5O3. It is found that the nano-sized micro structural defects, especially the large amount of grain boundaries created by the prelithiation can greatly accelerate the oxygen loss and voltage fade. Defects (such as nano-sized grain boundaries) and oxygen release form a positive feedback loop, promote each other during cycling, and accelerate the two major voltage fade contributors: the transition metal reduction and layered-to-spinel phase transition. These results clearly demonstrate the important relationships among the oxygen loss, microstructural defects and voltage fade. The importance of maintaining good crystallinity and protecting the surface of LMR material are also suggested.« less

Performance evaluation of receive-diversity free-space optical communications over correlated Gamma-Gamma fading channels.

PubMed

Yang, Guowei; Khalighi, Mohammad-Ali; Ghassemlooy, Zabih; Bourennane, Salah

2013-08-20

The efficacy of spatial diversity in practical free-space optical communication systems is impaired by the fading correlation among the underlying subchannels. We consider in this paper the generation of correlated Gamma-Gamma random variables in view of evaluating the system outage probability and bit-error-rate under the condition of correlated fading. Considering the case of receive-diversity systems with intensity modulation and direct detection, we propose a set of criteria for setting the correlation coefficients on the small- and large-scale fading components based on scintillation theory. We verify these criteria using wave-optics simulations and further show through Monte Carlo simulations that we can effectively neglect the correlation corresponding to the small-scale turbulence in most practical systems, irrespective of the specific turbulence conditions. This has not been clarified before, to the best of our knowledge. We then present some numerical results to illustrate the effect of fading correlation on the system performance. Our conclusions can be generalized to the cases of multiple-beam and multiple-beam multiple-aperture systems.

Performance of convolutional codes on fading channels typical of planetary entry missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Modestino, J. W.; Mui, S. Y.; Reale, T. J.

1974-01-01

The performance of convolutional codes in fading channels typical of the planetary entry channel is examined in detail. The signal fading is due primarily to turbulent atmospheric scattering of the RF signal transmitted from an entry probe through a planetary atmosphere. Short constraint length convolutional codes are considered in conjunction with binary phase-shift keyed modulation and Viterbi maximum likelihood decoding, and for longer constraint length codes sequential decoding utilizing both the Fano and Zigangirov-Jelinek (ZJ) algorithms are considered. Careful consideration is given to the modeling of the channel in terms of a few meaningful parameters which can be correlated closely with theoretical propagation studies. For short constraint length codes the bit error probability performance was investigated as a function of E sub b/N sub o parameterized by the fading channel parameters. For longer constraint length codes the effect was examined of the fading channel parameters on the computational requirements of both the Fano and ZJ algorithms. The effects of simple block interleaving in combatting the memory of the channel is explored, using the analytic approach or digital computer simulation.

A short-time fading study of Al2O3:C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nascimento, L. F.; Vanhavere, F.; Silva, E. H.; Deene, Y. De

2015-01-01

This paper studies the short-time fading from Al2O3:C by measuring optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signals (Total OSL: TOSL, and Peak OSL: POSL) from droplets and Luxel™ pellets. The influence of various bleaching regimes (blue, green and white) and light power is compared. The fading effect is the decay of the OSL signal in the dark at room temperature. Al2O3:C detectors were submitted to various bleaching regimes, irradiated with a reference dose and read out after different time spans. Investigations were carried out using 2 mm size droplet detectors, made of thin Al2O3:C powder mixed with a photocured polymer. Tests were compared to Luxel™-type detectors (Landauer Inc.). Short-time post-irradiation fading is present in OSL results (TOSL and POSL) droplets for time spans up to 200 s. The effect of short-time fading can be lowered/removed when treating the detectors with high-power and/or long time bleaching regimes; this result was observed in both TOSL and POSL from droplets and Luxel™.

Outage Probability of MRC for κ-μ Shadowed Fading Channels under Co-Channel Interference.

PubMed

Chen, Changfang; Shu, Minglei; Wang, Yinglong; Yang, Ming; Zhang, Chongqing

2016-01-01

In this paper, exact closed-form expressions are derived for the outage probability (OP) of the maximal ratio combining (MRC) scheme in the κ-μ shadowed fading channels, in which both the independent and correlated shadowing components are considered. The scenario assumes the received desired signals are corrupted by the independent Rayleigh-faded co-channel interference (CCI) and background white Gaussian noise. To this end, first, the probability density function (PDF) of the κ-μ shadowed fading distribution is obtained in the form of a power series. Then the incomplete generalized moment-generating function (IG-MGF) of the received signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) is derived in the closed form. By using the IG-MGF results, closed-form expressions for the OP of MRC scheme are obtained over the κ-μ shadowed fading channels. Simulation results are included to validate the correctness of the analytical derivations. These new statistical results can be applied to the modeling and analysis of several wireless communication systems, such as body centric communications.

Outage Probability of MRC for κ-μ Shadowed Fading Channels under Co-Channel Interference

PubMed Central

Chen, Changfang; Shu, Minglei; Wang, Yinglong; Yang, Ming; Zhang, Chongqing

2016-01-01

In this paper, exact closed-form expressions are derived for the outage probability (OP) of the maximal ratio combining (MRC) scheme in the κ-μ shadowed fading channels, in which both the independent and correlated shadowing components are considered. The scenario assumes the received desired signals are corrupted by the independent Rayleigh-faded co-channel interference (CCI) and background white Gaussian noise. To this end, first, the probability density function (PDF) of the κ-μ shadowed fading distribution is obtained in the form of a power series. Then the incomplete generalized moment-generating function (IG-MGF) of the received signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) is derived in the closed form. By using the IG-MGF results, closed-form expressions for the OP of MRC scheme are obtained over the κ-μ shadowed fading channels. Simulation results are included to validate the correctness of the analytical derivations. These new statistical results can be applied to the modeling and analysis of several wireless communication systems, such as body centric communications. PMID:27851817

Fade Measurements into Buildings from 500 to 3000 MHz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.

1996-01-01

Slant-path fade measurements from 500 to 3000 MHz were made into six different buildings employing a vector network analyzer, a tower-mounted transmitting antenna and an automatically positioned receiving antenna. The objective of the measurements was to provide information for satellite audio broadcasting and personal communications satellite design on the correlation of fading inside buildings. Fades were measured with 5 cm spatial separation and every 0.2 percent of the frequency. Median fades ranged from 10 to 20 dB in woodframe houses with metal roofs and walls without and with an aluminum heat shield, respectively. The median decorrelation distance was from 0.5 to 1.1. m and was independent of frequency. The attenuation into the buildings increased only moderately with frequency in most of the buildings with a median slope of about 1 to 3 db/GHz, but increased fastest in the least attenuating building with a slope of 5 dB/GHz. The median decorrelation bandwidth ranged from 1.2 to 3.8 percent of frequency in five of the buildings, and was largest in the least attenuating building, with 20.2 percent of frequency.

Fade Measurements into Buildings from 500 to 3000 MHz

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.

1996-01-01

Slant-path fade measurements from 500 to 3000 MHz were made into six different buildings employing a vector network analyzer, a tower-mounted transmitting antenna and an automatically positioned receiving antenna. The objective of the measurements was to provide information for satellite audio broadcasting and personal communications satellite design on the correlation of fading inside buildings. Fades were measured with 5 cm spatial separation and every 0.2% of the frequency. Median fades ranged from 10 to 20 dB in woodframe houses with metal roofs and walls without and with an aluminum heatshield, respectively. The median decorrelation distance was from 0.5 to 1.1 m and was independent of frequency. The attenuation into the buildings increased only moderately with frequency in most of the buildings with a median slope of about 1 to 3 dB/GHz, but increased fastest in the least attenuating building with a slope of 5 dB/GHz. The median decorrelation bandwidth ranged from 1.2 to 3.8% of frequency in five of the buildings, and was largest in the least attenuating building, with 20.2% of frequency.

DASCH ON KU Cyg: A {approx} 5 YEAR DUST ACCRETION EVENT IN {approx} 1900

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tang Sumin; Grindlay, Jonathan; Los, Edward

2011-09-01

KU Cyg is an eclipsing binary consisting of an F-type star accreting through a large accretion disk from a K5III red giant. Here we present the discovery of a 5 year dip around 1900 found from its 100 year DASCH light curve. It showed a {approx}0.5 mag slow fading from 1899 to 1903 and brightened back around 1904 on a relatively shorter timescale. The light curve shape of the 1899-1904 fading-brightening event differs from the dust production and dispersion process observed in R Coronae Borealis stars, which usually has a faster fading and slower recovery, and for KU Cyg ismore » probably related to the accretion disk surrounding the F star. The slow fading in KU Cyg is probably caused by increases in dust extinction in the disk, and the subsequent quick brightening may be due to the evaporation of dust transported inward through the disk. The extinction excess which caused the fading may arise from increased mass transfer rate in the system or from dust clump ejections from the K giant.« less

Physical Theory of Voltage Fade in Lithium- and Manganese-Rich Transition Metal Oxides

DOE PAGES

Rinaldo, Steven G.; Gallagher, Kevin G.; Long, Brandon R.; ...

2015-03-04

Lithium- and manganese-rich (LMR) transition metal oxide cathodes are of interest for lithium-ion battery applications due to their increased energy density and decreased cost. However, the advantages in energy density and cost are offset, in part, due to the phenomena of voltage fade. Specifically, the voltage profiles (voltage as a function of capacity) of LMR cathodes transform from a high energy configuration to a lower energy configuration as they are repeatedly charged (Li removed) and discharged (Li inserted). Here, we propose a physical model of voltage fade that accounts for the emergence of a low voltage Li phase due tomore » the introduction of transition metal ion defects within a parent Li phase. The phenomenological model was re-cast in a general form and experimental LMR charge profiles were de-convoluted to extract the evolutionary behavior of various components of LMR capacitance profiles. Evolution of the voltage fade component was found to follow a universal growth curve with a maximal voltage fade capacity of ≈ 20% of the initial total capacity.« less

Fade-resistant forward error correction method for free-space optical communications systems

DOEpatents

Johnson, Gary W.; Dowla, Farid U.; Ruggiero, Anthony J.

2007-10-02

Free-space optical (FSO) laser communication systems offer exceptionally wide-bandwidth, secure connections between platforms that cannot other wise be connected via physical means such as optical fiber or cable. However, FSO links are subject to strong channel fading due to atmospheric turbulence and beam pointing errors, limiting practical performance and reliability. We have developed a fade-tolerant architecture based on forward error correcting codes (FECs) combined with delayed, redundant, sub-channels. This redundancy is made feasible though dense wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and/or high-order M-ary modulation. Experiments and simulations show that error-free communications is feasible even when faced with fades that are tens of milliseconds long. We describe plans for practical implementation of a complete system operating at 2.5 Gbps.

Systems implications of L-band fade data statistics for LEO mobile systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Devieux, Carrie L.

1993-01-01

This paper examines and analyzes research data on the role of foliage attenuation in signal fading between a satellite transmitter and a terrestrial vehicle-mounted receiver. The frequency band of measurement, called L-Band, includes the region 1610.0 to 1626.5 MHz. Data from tests involving various combinations of foliage and vehicle movement conditions clearly show evidence of fast fading (in excess of 0.5 dB per millisecond) and fade depths as great or greater than 16 dB. As a result, the design of a communications link power control that provides the level of accuracy necessary for power sensitive systems could be significantly impacted. Specific examples of this include the communications links that employ Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) as a modulation technique.

Systems implications of L-band fade data statistics for LEO mobile systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devieux, Carrie L.

This paper examines and analyzes research data on the role of foliage attenuation in signal fading between a satellite transmitter and a terrestrial vehicle-mounted receiver. The frequency band of measurement, called L-Band, includes the region 1610.0 to 1626.5 MHz. Data from tests involving various combinations of foliage and vehicle movement conditions clearly show evidence of fast fading (in excess of 0.5 dB per millisecond) and fade depths as great or greater than 16 dB. As a result, the design of a communications link power control that provides the level of accuracy necessary for power sensitive systems could be significantly impacted. Specific examples of this include the communications links that employ Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) as a modulation technique.

Performance of convolutionally encoded noncoherent MFSK modem in fading channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Modestino, J. W.; Mui, S. Y.

1976-01-01

The performance of a convolutionally encoded noncoherent multiple-frequency shift-keyed (MFSK) modem utilizing Viterbi maximum-likelihood decoding and operating on a fading channel is described. Both the lognormal and classical Rician fading channels are considered for both slow and time-varying channel conditions. Primary interest is in the resulting bit error rate as a function of the ratio between the energy per transmitted information bit and noise spectral density, parameterized by both the fading channel and code parameters. Fairly general upper bounds on bit error probability are provided and compared with simulation results in the two extremes of zero and infinite channel memory. The efficacy of simple block interleaving in combatting channel memory effects are thoroughly explored. Both quantized and unquantized receiver outputs are considered.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

MedlinePlus

... and kids 11 to 18 years old whose immunity has started to fade. Whooping cough causes severe ... child's sixth birthday. For additional protection in case immunity fades, experts recommend that kids ages 11-18 ...

Adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonists are broad facilitators of antinicotinic neuromuscular blockade monitored either with 2 Hz train-of-four or 50 Hz tetanic stimuli.

PubMed

Pereira, Monalisa W; Correia-de-Sá, Paulo; Alves-Do-Prado, Wilson

2012-10-01

1. The 2 Hz train-of-four ratio (TOF(ratio)) is used to monitor the degree of patient curarization. Using a rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation, we showed that antinicotinic agents, such as hexamethonium, d-tubocurarine and pancuronium, but not cisatracurium, decreased contractions produced by physiological nerve activity patterns (50 Hz) more efficiently than those caused by 2 Hz trains. Uncertainty about the usefulness of the TOF(ratio) to control safe recovery from curarization prompted us to investigate the muscarinic and adenosine neuromodulation of tetanic (50 Hz) fade induced by antinicotinic agents at concentrations that cause a 25% reduction in the TOF(ratio) (TOF(fade)). 2. Tetanic fade caused by d-tubocurarine (1.1 μmol/L), pancuronium (3 μmol/L) and hexamethonium (5.47 mmol/L) was attenuated by blocking presynaptic inhibitory muscarinic M(2) and adenosine A(1) receptors with methoctramine (1 μmol/L) and 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (2.5 nmol/L), respectively. These compounds enhanced rather than decreased tetanic fade induced by cisatracurium (2.2 μmol/L), but they consistently attenuated cisatracurium-induced TOF(fade). The effect of the M(1) receptor antagonist pirenzepine (10 nmol/L) on fade produced by antinicotinic agents at 50 Hz was opposite to that observed with TOF stimulation. Blockade of adenosine A(2A) receptors with ZM 241385 (10 nmol/L) attenuated TOF(fade) caused by all antinicotinic drugs tested, with the exception of the 'pure' presynaptic nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium. ZM 241385 was the only compound tested in this series that facilitated recovery from tetanic fade produced by cisatracurium. 3. The data suggest that distinct antinicotinic relaxants interfere with fine-tuning neuromuscular adaptations to motor nerve stimulation patterns via activation of presynaptic muscarinic and adenosine receptors. These results support the use of A(2A) receptor antagonists together with atropine to facilitate recovery from antinicotinic neuromuscular blockade. © 2012 The Authors Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology © 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Design analysis of ceramic and polymer 150 kV insulators for tropical condition using quickfield software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walukow, Stephy B.; Manjang, Salama; Zainuddin, Zahir; Samman, Faizal Arya

2018-03-01

This research is to analyze design of ceramic and polymer 150 kV insulators for the tropical area. The use of an insulator certainly requires an electric field. The leakage current and breakdown voltage this happens the contaminant on the surface of the insulator. This type of contaminant can be rain, dust, salt air, extreme weather (much in tropical climates), industrial pollutants and cracks on the surface resulting in collisions. The method used in this research is magnetic field and electric field isolator using Quicfield software. To get the test results variation ranges 20 kV, 70 kV and 150 kV. Side effects of magnetic and electric fields around the insulator. The simulation results show the accumulated contaminants on the surface. Planning should be done in insulator insulator on unstable insulator. Thus, the approach using this commercially available software can be applied to. Therefore, the development of further simulations on the different types of composite insulators used on.

DSN human factors project

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chafin, R. L.; Martin, T. H.

1980-01-01

The project plan was to hold focus groups to identify the factors influencing the ease of use characteristics of software and to bond the problem. A questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate those factors which were more appropriately measured with that method. The performance oriented factors were analyzed and relationships hypothesized. The hypotheses were put to test in the experimental phase of the project. In summary, the initial analysis indicates that there is an initial performance effect favoring computer controlled dialogue but the advantage fades fast as operators become experienced. The user documentation style is seen to have a significant effect on performance. The menu and prompt command formats are preferred by inexperienced operators. The short form mnemonic is least favored. There is no clear best command format but the short form mnemonic is clearly the worst.

[BeO-OSL detectors for dose measurements in cell cultures].

PubMed

Andreeff, M; Sommer, D; Freudenberg, R; Reichelt, U; Henniger, J; Kotzerke, J

2009-01-01

The absorbed dose is an important parameter in experiments involving irradiation of cells in vitro with unsealed radionuclides. Typically, this is estimated with a model calculation, although the results thus obtained cannot be verified. Generally used real-time measurement methods are not applicable in this setting. A new detector material with in vitro suitability is the subject of this work. Optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters based on beryllium oxide (BeO) were used for dose measurement in cell cultures exposed to unsealed radionuclides. Their qualitative properties (e. g. energy-dependent count rate sensitivity, fading, contamination by radioactive liquids) were determined and compared to the results of a Monte Carlo simulation (using AMOS software). OSL dosimeters were tested in common cell culture setups with a known geometry. Dose reproducibility of the OSL dosimeters was +/-1.5%. Fading at room temperature was 0.07% per day. Dose loss (optically-stimulated deletion) under ambient lighting conditions was 0.5% per minute. The Monte Carlo simulation for the relative sensitivity at different beta energies provided corresponding results to those obtained with the OSL dosimeters. Dose profile measurements using a 6 well plate and 14 ml PP tube showed that the geometry of the cell culture vessel has a marked influence on dose distribution with 188Re. A new dosimeter system was calibrated with beta-emitters of different energy. It turned out as suitable for measuring dose in liquids. The dose profile measurements obtained are suitably precise to be used as a check against theoretical dose calculations.

Tree attenuation at 20 GHz: Foliage effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Goldhirsh, Julius

1993-01-01

Static tree attenuation measurements at 20 GHz (K-Band) on a 30 deg slant path through a mature Pecan tree with and without leaves showed median fades exceeding approximately 23 dB and 7 dB, respectively. The corresponding 1% probability fades were 43 dB and 25 dB. Previous 1.6 GHz (L-Band) measurements for the bare tree case showed fades larger than those at K-Band by 3.4 dB for the median and smaller by approximately 7 dB at the 1% probability. While the presence of foliage had only a small effect on fading at L-Band (approximately 1 dB additional for the median to 1% probability range), the attenuation increase was significant at K-Band, where it increased by about 17 dB over the same probability range.

Tree attenuation at 20 GHz: Foliage effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Goldhirsh, Julius

1993-08-01

Static tree attenuation measurements at 20 GHz (K-Band) on a 30 deg slant path through a mature Pecan tree with and without leaves showed median fades exceeding approximately 23 dB and 7 dB, respectively. The corresponding 1% probability fades were 43 dB and 25 dB. Previous 1.6 GHz (L-Band) measurements for the bare tree case showed fades larger than those at K-Band by 3.4 dB for the median and smaller by approximately 7 dB at the 1% probability. While the presence of foliage had only a small effect on fading at L-Band (approximately 1 dB additional for the median to 1% probability range), the attenuation increase was significant at K-Band, where it increased by about 17 dB over the same probability range.

Rapid fading of optical afterglows as evidence for beaming in gamma-ray bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Y. F.; Dai, Z. G.; Lu, T.

2000-03-01

Based on the refined dynamical model proposed by us earlier for beamed gamma -ray burst ejecta, we carry out detailed numerical procedure to study those gamma -ray bursts with rapidly fading afterglows (i.e., ~ t-2). It is found that optical afterglows from GRB 970228, 980326, 980519, 990123, 990510 and 991208 can be satisfactorily fitted if the gamma -ray burst ejecta are highly collimated, with a universal initial half opening angle theta_0 ~ 0.1. The obvious light curve break observed in GRB 990123 is due to the relativistic-Newtonian transition of the beamed ejecta, and the rapidly fading optical afterglows come from synchrotron emissions during the mildly relativistic and non-relativistic phases. We strongly suggest that the rapid fading of afterglows currently observed in some gamma -ray bursts is evidence for beaming in these cases.

Trellis coded modulation for 4800-9600 bps transmission over a fading mobile satellite channel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Divsalar, D.; Simon, M. K.

1986-01-01

The combination of trellis coding and multiple phase-shift-keyed (MPSK) signalling with the addition of asymmetry to the signal set is discussed with regard to its suitability as a modulation/coding scheme for the fading mobile satellite channel. For MPSK, introducing nonuniformity (asymmetry) into the spacing between signal points in the constellation buys a further improvement in performance over that achievable with trellis coded symmetric MPSK, all this without increasing average or peak power, or changing the bandwidth constraints imposed on the system. Whereas previous contributions have considered the performance of trellis coded modulation transmitted over an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, the emphasis in the paper is on the performance of trellis coded MPSK in the fading environment. The results will be obtained by using a combination of analysis and simulation. It will be assumed that the effect of the fading on the phase of the received signal is fully compensated for either by tracking it with some form of phase-locked loop or with pilot tone calibration techniques. Thus, results will reflect only the degradation due to the effect of the fading on the amplitude of the received signal. Also, we shall consider only the case where interleaving/deinterleaving is employed to further combat the fading. This allows for considerable simplification of the analysis and is of great practical interest. Finally, the impact of the availability of channel state information on average bit error probability performance is assessed.

Estimation of droughts indicators in the Veguita zone, Cuba

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cumbrera, Ramiro; Millán Vega, Humberto; Tarquis, Ana Maria; Alcolea Naranjo, Osvaldo

2016-04-01

This work has as essential objective the evaluation and analysis of the main indicators of hydrometeorology drought in Veguita, using series of daily precipitations, daily temperature and intensity of the rain. These data were contributed by the Station Agrometeorológica of Veguitas. The estimated indexes were the concentration of precipitations (CP) and the standardized index of precipitation and evapotranspiration (SPEI). The CP was calculated by means of the calculation of the index of Gini, based on the curve of Lorentz using data from 1994 until 2013. The SPEI was calculated with the software of the same name using the data from 2001 up to 2013. The main result obtained was that the precipitations in the area are concentrating, in accordance with the index of Gini and the exponential adjustment of the curve of Lorentz. Beside it, gusts dry superiors to one month were detected and the SPEI pointed out 35 months with drought, 40 humid and 81 with normal levels of rain in the last 13 years.

An anticipatory integrated assessment of regional acidification: The RAINS-Asia model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amann, M.; Carmichael, G.R.; Foell, W.

1996-12-31

Across large parts of Asia, air pollution problems are becoming more and more evident. Rainfall in some areas, including China, Japan, and Thailand, has been measured to be 10 times more acidic than unpolluted rain. Increasing evidence of acidification damage to ecosystems such as surface waters, soils, and economically important crops, is beginning to appear. In addition, urban air quality in many areas of the region continues to decrease. Current economic forecasts predict continued rapid economic growth in the region, which will bring with it increasing emissions of air pollutants, especially sulfur. The total primary energy demand in Asia currentlymore » doubles every twelve years (as compared to a world average of every 28 years). Coal is expected to continue to be the dominant energy source, with coal demand projected to increase by 65 percent per year, a rate that outpaces regional economic growth. If current trends in economic development and energy use in Asia continue, emissions of sulfur dioxide, one of the key components in acid rain, will more than triple within the next 30 years. Many ecosystems will be unable to continue to absorb these increased levels of pollution without harmful effects, thus creating a potential danger for irreversible environmental damage in many areas. In view of the potential environmental consequences of projected growth in Asian energy consumption, emissions, and air pollution, the World Bank, together with the Asian Development Bank, have funded a project to develop and implement an integrated assessment model for the acid deposition phenomenon in Asia. The Regional Air Pollution INformation and Simulation model for Asia (RAINS-Asia) is a software tool to help decision makers assess and project future trends in emissions, transport, and deposition of air pollutants, and their potential environmental effects.« less

Evaluation of the New Version of the Laser-Optical Disdrometer, OTT Parsivel2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tokay, Ali; Wolff, David B.; Petersen, Walter A.

2014-01-01

A comparative study of raindrop size distribution measurements has been conducted at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center where the focus was to evaluate the performance of the upgraded laser-optical OTT Particle Size Velocity (Parsivel2; P2) disdrometer. The experimental setup included a collocated pair of tipping-bucket rain gauges, OTT Parsivel (P1) and P2 disdrometers, and Joss-Waldvogel (JW) disdrometers. Excellent agreement between the two collocated rain gauges enabled their use as a relative reference for event rain totals. A comparison of event total showed that the P2 had a 6%absolute bias with respect to the reference gauges, considerably lower than the P1 and JW disdrometers. Good agreement was also evident between the JW and P2 in hourly raindrop spectra for drop diameters between 0.5 and 4 mm. The P2 drop concentrations mostly increased toward small sizes, and the peak concentrations were mostly observed in the first three measurable size bins. The P1, on the other hand, underestimated small drops and overestimated the large drops, particularly in heavy rain rates. From the analysis performed, it appears that the P2 is an improvement over the P1 model for both drop size and rainfall measurements. P2 mean fall velocities follow accepted terminal fall speed relationships at drop sizes less than 1 mm. As a caveat, the P2 had approximately 1ms21 slower mean fall speed with respect to the terminal fall speed near 1 mm, and the difference between the mean measured and terminal fall speeds reduced with increasing drop size. This caveat was recognized as a software bug by the manufacturer and is currently being investigated.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yu, Liang; Winn, Joshua N.; Rappaport, Saul

The T Tauri star PTFO 8-8695 exhibits periodic fading events that have been interpreted as the transits of a giant planet on a precessing orbit. Here we present three tests of the planet hypothesis. First, we sought evidence for the secular changes in light-curve morphology that are predicted to be a consequence of orbital precession. We observed 28 fading events spread over several years and did not see the expected changes. Instead, we found that the fading events are not strictly periodic. Second, we attempted to detect the planet's radiation, based on infrared observations spanning the predicted times of occultations.more » We ruled out a signal of the expected amplitude. Third, we attempted to detect the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect by performing high-resolution spectroscopy throughout a fading event. No effect was seen at the expected level, ruling out most (but not all) possible orientations for the hypothetical planetary orbit. Our spectroscopy also revealed strong, time-variable, high-velocity Hα and Ca H and K emission features. All these observations cast doubt on the planetary hypothesis, and suggest instead that the fading events represent starspots, eclipses by circumstellar dust, or occultations of an accretion hotspot.« less

New Experimental Technique for Nodularity and Mg Fading Control in Compacted Graphite Iron Production on Laboratory Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernando, Juan Carlos; Domeij, Björn; González, Daniel; Amieva, José Manuel; Diószegi, Attila

2017-11-01

The narrow production window for compacted graphite iron material (CGI) drastically reduces the possibilities to produce it in small batches outside an industrial environment. This fact hinders laboratory-scale investigations on CGI solidification. This work presents a solution to that issue by introducing an experimental technique to produce graphitic cast iron of the main three families. Samples of a base hypereutectic spheroidal graphite iron (SGI) were re-melted in a resistance furnace under Ar atmosphere. Varying the holding time at 1723 K (1450 °C), graphitic irons ranging from spheroidal to lamellar were produced. Characterization of the graphite morphology evolution, in terms of nodularity as a function of holding time, is presented. The nodularity decay for the SGI region suggests a linear correlation with the holding time. In the CGI region, nodularity deterioration shows a slower rate, concluding with the sudden appearance of lamellar graphite. The fading process of magnesium, showing agreement with previous researchers, is described by means of empirical relations as a function of holding time and nodularity. The results on nodularity fade and number of nodules per unit area fade suggest that both phenomena occur simultaneously during the fading process of magnesium.

Groundwater Source Identification Using Backward Fractional-Derivative Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y.; Sun, H.; Zheng, C.

2017-12-01

The forward Fractional Advection Dispersion Equation (FADE) provides a useful model for non-Fickian transport in heterogeneous porous media. This presentation introduces the corresponding backward FADE model, to identify groundwater source location and release time. The backward method is developed from the theory of inverse problems, and the resultant backward FADE differs significantly from the traditional backward ADE because the fractional derivative is not self-adjoint and the probability density function for backward locations is highly skewed. Finally, the method is validated using tracer data from well-known field experiments.

Tribo-performance evaluation of ecofriendly brake friction composite materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Naresh; Singh, Tej; Grewal, G. S.

2018-05-01

This paper presents the potential of natural fibre in brake friction materials. Natural fibre filled ecofriendly brake friction materials were developed without Kevlar fibre evaluated for tribo-performance on a chase friction testing machine following SAE J 661a standard. Experimental results indicated that natural fibre enhances the fade performance, but depresses the friction and wear performance, whereas Kevlar fibre improves the friction, wear and recovery performance but depresses the fade performance. Also the results revealed that with the increase in natural fibre content, the friction and fade performances enhanced.

Fast Faraday fading of long range satellite signals.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heron, M. L.

1972-01-01

20 MHz radio signals have been received during the day from satellite Beacon-B when it was below the optical horizon by using a bank of narrow filters to improve the signal to noise ratio. The Faraday fading rate becomes constant, under these conditions, at a level determined by the plasma frequency just below the F-layer peak. Variations in the Faraday fading rate reveal fluctuations in the electron density near the peak, while the rate of attaining the constant level depends on the shape of the electron density profile.

The TJO-OAdM robotic observatory: OpenROCS and dome control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colomé, Josep; Francisco, Xavier; Ribas, Ignasi; Casteels, Kevin; Martín, Jonatan

2010-07-01

The Telescope Joan Oró at the Montsec Astronomical Observatory (TJO - OAdM) is a small-class observatory working in completely unattended control. There are key problems to solve when a robotic control is envisaged, both on hardware and software issues. We present the OpenROCS (ROCS stands for Robotic Observatory Control System), an open source platform developed for the robotic control of the TJO - OAdM and similar astronomical observatories. It is a complex software architecture, composed of several applications for hardware control, event handling, environment monitoring, target scheduling, image reduction pipeline, etc. The code is developed in Java, C++, Python and Perl. The software infrastructure used is based on the Internet Communications Engine (Ice), an object-oriented middleware that provides object-oriented remote procedure call, grid computing, and publish/subscribe functionality. We also describe the subsystem in charge of the dome control: several hardware and software elements developed to specially protect the system at this identified single point of failure. It integrates a redundant control and a rain detector signal for alarm triggering and it responds autonomously in case communication with any of the control elements is lost (watchdog functionality). The self-developed control software suite (OpenROCS) and dome control system have proven to be highly reliable.

Mystery of the Fading Star Artist Concept

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-01-05

Every 27 years, a bright star called Epsilon Aurigae fades over period of two years, then brightens back up again. A companion is known to be surrounded by a dusty disk, as illustrated in this artist concept.

Kinetics of the Fading of Phenolphthalein in Alkaline Solution.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nicholson, Lois

1989-01-01

Described is an experiment which illustrates pseudo-first-order kinetics in the fading of a common indicator in an alkaline solution. Included are background information, details of materials used, laboratory procedures, and sample results. (CW)

Intergranular Cracking as a Major Cause of Long-Term Capacity Fading of Layered Cathodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Hao; Wolf, Mark; Karki, Khim

Capacity fading has limited commercial layered Li-ion battery electrodes to <70% of their theoretical capacity. Higher capacities can be achieved initially by charging to higher voltages, however, these gains are quickly eroded by a faster fade in capacity. In-creasing lifetimes and reversible capacity is contingent on identifying the origin of this capacity fade to inform electrode design and synthesis. We must understand how the battery reactions change following capacity loss after long-term cycling. Using operando X-ray diffraction, we followed the reaction of a LiNi 0.8Co 0.15Al 0.05O 2 (NCA) electrode after months of charge-discharge cycles. Furthermore, the heterogeneous reaction kineticsmore » observed during extended cycles quantitatively explain the capacity loss, which is ultimately attributed to inter-granular fracturing that degrades the connectivity of sub-surface grains within the polycrystalline NCA aggregate.« less

Cross-Layer Design for Space-Time coded MIMO Systems over Rice Fading Channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Xiangbin; Zhou, Tingting; Liu, Xiaoshuai; Yin, Xin

A cross-layer design (CLD) scheme for space-time coded MIMO systems over Rice fading channel is presented by combining adaptive modulation and automatic repeat request, and the corresponding system performance is investigated well. The fading gain switching thresholds subject to a target packet error rate (PER) and fixed power constraint are derived. According to these results, and using the generalized Marcum Q-function, the calculation formulae of the average spectrum efficiency (SE) and PER of the system with CLD are derived. As a result, closed-form expressions for average SE and PER are obtained. These expressions include some existing expressions in Rayleigh channel as special cases. With these expressions, the system performance in Rice fading channel is evaluated effectively. Numerical results verify the validity of the theoretical analysis. The results show that the system performance in Rice channel is effectively improved as Rice factor increases, and outperforms that in Rayleigh channel.

Intergranular Cracking as a Major Cause of Long-Term Capacity Fading of Layered Cathodes

DOE PAGES

Liu, Hao; Wolf, Mark; Karki, Khim; ...

2017-05-26

Capacity fading has limited commercial layered Li-ion battery electrodes to <70% of their theoretical capacity. Higher capacities can be achieved initially by charging to higher voltages, however, these gains are quickly eroded by a faster fade in capacity. In-creasing lifetimes and reversible capacity is contingent on identifying the origin of this capacity fade to inform electrode design and synthesis. We must understand how the battery reactions change following capacity loss after long-term cycling. Using operando X-ray diffraction, we followed the reaction of a LiNi 0.8Co 0.15Al 0.05O 2 (NCA) electrode after months of charge-discharge cycles. Furthermore, the heterogeneous reaction kineticsmore » observed during extended cycles quantitatively explain the capacity loss, which is ultimately attributed to inter-granular fracturing that degrades the connectivity of sub-surface grains within the polycrystalline NCA aggregate.« less

A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF BRIEF RULES, A TIMER, AND PREFERRED TOYS ON SELF-CONTROL

PubMed Central

Newquist, Matthew H; Dozier, Claudia L; Neidert, Pamela L

2012-01-01

Some children make impulsive choices (i.e., choose a small but immediate reinforcer over a large but delayed reinforcer). Previous research has shown that delay fading, providing an alternative activity during the delay, teaching participants to repeat a rule during the delay, combining delay fading with an alternative activity, and combining delay fading with a countdown timer are effective for increasing self-control (i.e., choosing the large but delayed reinforcer over the small but immediate reinforcer). The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of various interventions in the absence of delay fading (i.e., providing brief rules, providing a countdown timer during the delay, or providing preferred toys during the delay) on self-control. Results suggested that providing brief rules or a countdown timer during the delay was ineffective for enhancing self-control. However, providing preferred toys during the delay effectively enhanced self-control. PMID:23060664

A comparison of the effects of brief rules, a timer, and preferred toys on self-control.

PubMed

Newquist, Matthew H; Dozier, Claudia L; Neidert, Pamela L

2012-01-01

Some children make impulsive choices (i.e., choose a small but immediate reinforcer over a large but delayed reinforcer). Previous research has shown that delay fading, providing an alternative activity during the delay, teaching participants to repeat a rule during the delay, combining delay fading with an alternative activity, and combining delay fading with a countdown timer are effective for increasing self-control (i.e., choosing the large but delayed reinforcer over the small but immediate reinforcer). The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of various interventions in the absence of delay fading (i.e., providing brief rules, providing a countdown timer during the delay, or providing preferred toys during the delay) on self-control. Results suggested that providing brief rules or a countdown timer during the delay was ineffective for enhancing self-control. However, providing preferred toys during the delay effectively enhanced self-control.

An Automated Fading Procedure to Alter Sexual Responsiveness in Pedophiles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laws, D. R.; Pawlowski, A. V.

1975-01-01

An automated stimulus fading procedure was used to strengthen sexual responsiveness to adult stimuli in two pedophiles. The degree of responsiveness was indicated by changes in the penile response. Implications for future research are discussed. (Author)

A software-based sensor for combined sewer overflows.

PubMed

Leonhardt, G; Fach, S; Engelhard, C; Kinzel, H; Rauch, W

2012-01-01

A new methodology for online estimation of excess flow from combined sewer overflow (CSO) structures based on simulation models is presented. If sufficient flow and water level data from the sewer system is available, no rainfall data are needed to run the model. An inverse rainfall-runoff model was developed to simulate net rainfall based on flow and water level data. Excess flow at all CSO structures in a catchment can then be simulated with a rainfall-runoff model. The method is applied to a case study and results show that the inverse rainfall-runoff model can be used instead of missing rain gauges. Online operation is ensured by software providing an interface to the SCADA-system of the operator and controlling the model. A water quality model could be included to simulate also pollutant concentrations in the excess flow.

Emergency EPR and OSL dosimetry with table vitamins and minerals.

PubMed

Sholom, S; McKeever, S W S

2016-12-01

Several table vitamins, minerals and L-lysine amino acid have been preliminarily tested as potential emergency dosemeters using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques. Radiation-induced EPR signals were detected in samples of vitamin B2 and L-lysine while samples of multivitamins of different brands as well as mineral Mg demonstrated prominent OSL signals after exposure to ionizing radiation doses. Basic dosimetric properties of the radiation-sensitive substances were studied, namely dose response, fading of the EPR or OSL signals and values of minimum measurable doses (MMDs). For EPR-sensitive samples, the EPR signal is converted into units of dose using a linear dose response and correcting for fading using the measured fading dependence. For OSL-sensitive materials, a multi-aliquot, enhanced-temperature protocol was developed to avoid the problem of sample sensitization and to minimize the influence of signal fading. The sample dose in this case is also evaluated using the dose response and fading curves. MMDs of the EPR-sensitive samples were below 2 Gy while those of the OSL-sensitive materials were below 500 mGy as long as the samples are analyzed within 1 week after exposure. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Capacity Fade and Its Mitigation in Li-Ion Cells with Silicon-Graphite Electrodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bareño, Javier; Shkrob, Ilya A.; Gilbert, James A.

In this study we scrutinize the causes for capacity fade in lithium-ion cells containing silicongraphite (Si-Gr) blends in the negative electrode and examine approaches for minimizing this fade. The causal mechanisms are inferred from data obtained by electrochemistry, microscopy, spectroscopy and thermogravimetry techniques. The presence of SiOxFy signals in the Si-Gr electrode, LixPOyFz compounds in the electrolyte, and SiO2 species on the NCM523 positive electrode, highlight the crucial role of hydrolytically generated HF, which accelerates the degradation of Si particles. The hydrolysis could result from residual moisture in the current electrode fabrication process, which uses aqueous binders. Water can alsomore » be released when silanol groups on the Si nanoparticles react with HF to form Si-F compounds. We note that the primary cause of capacity fade in the full cells is the loss of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) integrity resulting from volume changes in Si particles during electrochemical cycling. Adding fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to the conventional electrolyte slows capacity fade through the formation of a cross linked polymer with elastomeric properties. Further gains in cell longevity are possible by excluding water during electrode fabrication, using hydrolytically stable lithium salts, and adopting electrolyte systems that provide more elasticity to the SEI layers.« less

QoSLight: a new quality of service FSO software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chabane, Mourad; Alnaboulsi, Maher; Sizun, Herve; Bouchet, Olivier

2003-08-01

The atmospheric optical links (FSO) in visible and infrared wavelengths constitute an interesting alternative to creation of new transmission channels for the cordless phone, data-processing networks and high definition television. One finds a choice of varied manufacturers and they propose products whose performances are characterized by a raised rate of transmission, from 2 Mbps to 10 Gbps. But the announced ranges are very important, from 100 to 10,000 meters, in spite of the fact that many manufacturers try to indicate the possible ranges according to time, these indications completely miss standardization and are hardly exploitable because, generally, it is very difficult to know the percentage of time during which a value is reached or exceeded. Availability and reliability of a FSO link depend on used systems but also on climatic and atmospheric parameters such as rain, snow or fog. Library search underlined the lack of reliable data to be able to lay down, in a precise way, the statistical availability of such links, like one usually does for the radio transmission. Before to implement an effective FSO links, we need to know their availability and their reliability. It is the purpose of our study. Its finality is a software which integrate (1) Results of a library search (geometrical attenuation, aerosols, scintillation, environment light, etc), (2) English and French integrated surface weather data, hour per hour, over several years (1995-1999). The result is the presentation of this software, "QoSLight" (Quality of Service Light), making it possible to predict; starting from the data of equipment (power, wavelength, receiver sensibility), geographical situation of a site in France or England (geographical coordinates, altitude, height/ground) and climatic and atmospheric parameter (relative humidity, ground rugosity, albedo, solar radiation, etc) the availability of a FSO link for the following period (year, the most unfavourable month, 8am to 8pm period and 8 am period. The interruption probabilities for each type of attenuation are also mentioned (aerosols, scintillation, ambient solar light, rain, snow, etc).

The link evaluation terminal for the advanced communications technology satellite experiments program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

May, Brian D.

1992-01-01

The experimental NASA satellite, Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS), introduces new technology for high throughput 30 to 20 GHz satellite services. Contained in a single communication payload is both a regenerative TDMA system and multiple 800 MHz 'bent pipe' channels routed to spot beams by a switch matrix. While only one mode of operation is typical during any experiment, both modes can operate simultaneously with reduced capability due to sharing of the transponder. NASA-Lewis instituted a ground terminal development program in anticipation of the satellite launch to verify the performance of the switch matrix mode of operations. Specific functions are built into the ground terminal to evaluate rain fade compensation with uplink power control and to monitor satellite transponder performance with bit error rate measurements. These functions were the genesis of the ground terminal's name, Link Evaluation Terminal, often referred to as LET. Connectors are included in LET that allow independent experimenters to run unique modulation or network experiments through ACTS using only the RF transmit and receive portions of LET. Test data indicate that LET will be able to verify important parts of ACTS technology and provide independent experimenters with a useful ground terminal. Lab measurements of major subsystems integrated into LET are presented. Bit error rate is measured with LET in an internal loopback mode.

Unexpected Voltage Fade in LMR-NMC Oxides Cycled below the “Activation” Plateau

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Yan; Bareno, Javier; Bettge, Martin

2015-01-01

A common feature of lithium-excess layered oxides, nominally of composition xLi 2MnO 3•(1-x)LiMO 2 (M = transition metal) is a high-voltage plateau (~4.5 V vs. Li/Li +) in their capacity-voltage profile during the first delithiation cycle. This plateau is believed to result from activation of the Li 2MnO 3 component, which makes additional lithium available for electrochemical cycling. However, oxides cycled beyond this activation plateau are known to display voltage fade which is a continuous reduction in their equilibrium potential. In this article we show that these oxides display gradual voltage fade even on electrochemical cycling in voltage ranges wellmore » below the activation plateau. The average fade is ~0.08 mV-cycle-1 for Li 1.2Ni 0.15Mn 0.55Co 0.1O 2 vs. Li cells after 20 cycles in the 2–4.1 V range at 55°C; a ~54 mV voltage hysteresis, expressed as the difference in average cell voltage between charge and discharge cycles, is also observed. The voltage fade results from a gradual accumulation of local spinel environments in the crystal structure. Some of these spinel sites result from lithium deficiencies during oxide synthesis and are likely to be at the particle surfaces; other sites result from the migration of transition metal atoms in the partially-delithiated LiMO 2 component into the lithium planes during electrochemical cycling. The observed rate of voltage fade depends on a combination of factors that includes the phase equilibrium between the layered and spinel components and the kinetics of transition metal migration.« less

Optimum Code Rates for Noncoherent MFSK with Errors and Erasures Decoding over Rayleigh Fading Channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ritcey, Adina Matache James A.

1997-01-01

In this paper, we analyze the performance of a communication system employing M-ary frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation with errors-and-erasures decoding using Viterbi ratio threshold technique for erasure insertion, in Rayleigh fading and AWGN channels.

Performance of coded MFSK in a Rician fading channel. [Multiple Frequency Shift Keyed modulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Modestino, J. W.; Mui, S. Y.

1975-01-01

The performance of convolutional codes in conjunction with noncoherent multiple frequency shift-keyed (MFSK) modulation and Viterbi maximum likelihood decoding on a Rician fading channel is examined in detail. While the primary motivation underlying this work has been concerned with system performance on the planetary entry channel, it is expected that the results are of considerably wider interest. Particular attention is given to modeling the channel in terms of a few meaningful parameters which can be correlated closely with the results of theoretical propagation studies. Fairly general upper bounds on bit error probability performance in the presence of fading are derived and compared with simulation results using both unquantized and quantized receiver outputs. The effects of receiver quantization and channel memory are investigated and it is concluded that the coded noncoherent MFSK system offers an attractive alternative to coherent BPSK in providing reliable low data rate communications in fading channels typical of planetary entry missions.

A pancultural perspective on the fading affect bias in autobiographical memory.

PubMed

Ritchie, Timothy D; Batteson, Tamzin J; Bohn, Annette; Crawford, Matthew T; Ferguson, Georgie V; Schrauf, Robert W; Vogl, Rodney J; Walker, W Richard

2015-01-01

The fading affect bias (FAB) refers to the negative affect associated with autobiographical events fading faster than the positive affect associated with such events, a reliable and valid valence effect established by researchers in the USA. The present study examined the idea that the FAB is a ubiquitous emotion regulating phenomenon in autobiographical memory that is present in people from a variety of cultures. We tested for evidence of the FAB by sampling more than 2400 autobiographical event descriptions from 562 participants in 10 cultures around the world. Using variations on a common method, each sample evidenced a FAB: positive affect faded slower than negative affect did. Results suggest that in tandem with local norms and customs, the FAB may foster recovery from negative life events and promote the retention of the positive emotions, within and outside of the USA. We discuss these findings in the context of Keltner and Haidt's levels of analysis theory of emotion and culture.

Q/V-band communications and propagation experiments using ALPHASAT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koudelka, O.

2011-12-01

The lower satellite frequency bands become more and more congested; therefore it will be necessary to exploit higher frequencies for satellite communications. New broadband applications (e.g. 3D-TV, fast Internet access) will require additional spectrum in the future. The Ku-band is highly utilised nowadays and Ka-band systems, which have been extensively studied in the 1990s, are already in commercial use. The next frontier is the Q/V-band. At millimetre waves the propagation effects are significant. The traditional approach of implementing large fade margins is impractical, since this leads to high EIRP and G/ T figures for the ground stations, resulting in unacceptable costs. Fade mitigation techniques by adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) offer a cost-effective solution to this problem. ESA will launch the ALPHASAT satellite in 2012. It will carry experimental Ka- and Q/V-band propagation and communications payloads, enabling propagation measurements throughout Europe and communications experiments. Three communications spot beams will be covering Northern Italy, Southern Italy and Austria with some overlap. Joanneum Research and Graz University of Technology are preparing for communications and propagation experiments using these new payloads of ALPHASAT in close cooperation with ESA, the Italian Space Agency ASI, Politecnico di Milano and Università Tor Vergata. The main focus of the communications experiments is on ACM techniques. The paper describes the design of the planned Q/V-band ground station with the planned ACM tests and investigations as well as the architecture of the communications terminal, based on a versatile software-defined radio platform.

Effects of presynaptic muscarinic cholinoreceptor blockade on neuromuscular transmission as assessed by the train-of-four and the tetanic fade response to rocuronium.

PubMed

Kim, Yong Beom; Lee, Sangseok; Lee, Kyeong Chun; Kim, Ha Jung; Ro, Young Jin; Yang, Hong-Seuk

2017-07-01

This study investigated the effect of muscarinic M 1 and M 2 receptor antagonists on the rocuronium-induced train of four (TOF) fade and tetanic fade, respectively. Ex-vivo phrenic nerves and diaphragms were obtained from adult Sprague-Dawley rats and stabilized in Krebs buffer; the nerve-stimulated muscle TOF fade was observed at 20 s intervals. For the TOF study, phrenic nerves and diaphragms were incubated with pirenzepine (an M 1 blocker) at concentrations of 0 nmol L -1 (control), 10 nmol L -1 (PZP10), or 100 nmol L -1 (PZP100). Rocuronium was then administered incrementally until the first twitch tension had depressed by >95% during TOF stimulation. The mean TOF ratios were compared when the first twitch tensions were depressed by 40%-50%. For the tetanic fade study, 50 Hz/5 s tetani was applied initially, 30 min after the administration of a loading dose of rocuronium and methoctramine (an M 2 receptor blocker, loaded at 0 μmol L -1 [control], 1 μmol L -1 [MET1], or 10 μmol L -1 [MET10]). The EC 95 of rocuronium was significantly lower in the PZP10 group than in the control group. In the PZP10 group, the TOF ratios at 50% and first twitch tension depression were significantly lower than those in the control group (P=.02). During tetanic stimulation, the tetanic fade was significantly enhanced in the MET10 group compared to the other groups. This study shows that antagonists of muscarinic M 1 and M 2 receptors affect the rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block as demonstrated by the reduced EC 95 and TOF ratios (M 1 antagonist, pirenzepine) or the enhanced 50-Hz tetanic fade (M 2 antagonist, methoctramine). © 2017 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology Published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Protection of oxidative hair color fading from shampoo washing by hydrophobically modified cationic polymers.

PubMed

Zhou, Y; Foltis, L; Moore, D J; Rigoletto, R

2009-01-01

The fading of oxidative color in hair as a result of daily shampoo washing activities has become a common problem and a source of frequent complaints by consumers. The fading occurs primarily through hair dye solubility in water. One aspect of the current study investigates the physical and chemical factors that influence hair color fading during the washing process. This is accomplished by testing hair dye dissolution in water from dyed hair samples with variation of surfactant type, pH, and hair type. Furthermore, a new approach to preventing color fading is developed aiming to provide an effective barrier function for hair dye from dissolving into water. The preliminary investigation of a series of polymers with various functional groups indicates that polymers with hydrophobically modified and cationic functionalities are most effective in preventing hair dye dissolution in water. It is also evident that a synergistic effect of the polymer's hydrophobic moieties and cationic charges are important on hair color protection during shampoo washing processes. A primary example of a polymer within this category is a cationic terpolymer of vinylpyrrolidone, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, and methacryloylaminopropyl lauryldimonium chloride (INCI: Polyquaternium-55). The color protection benefit of this polymer is evaluated using newly developed methodologies for evaluating hair color changes, such as hair color fading tests through multiple shampoo washes with mannequin heads and hair tresses, both derived from human hair, colorimetry, and quantitative digital image analysis. In addition, new infrared spectroscopic imaging techniques are used to detect the hair dye deposition behavior inside hair fibers both with and without the color protection treatment. Both visual and instrumental measurement results indicate that Polyquaternium-55 provides a high level of color protection when formulated in a hair color protection regimen with up to 50% color protection. This regimen significantly outperforms commercial products that were tested containing a color protection claim. The proposed mechanism for the anti-fading action of hydrophobically modified polymers includes a cationic charge-reinforced hydrophobic barrier. This model is supported by evaluating the color fastness effect of several different polymer chemistries and by measuring hair surface hydrophobicity changes.

Performance analysis of MIMO wireless optical communication system with Q-ary PPM over correlated log-normal fading channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Huiqin; Wang, Xue; Lynette, Kibe; Cao, Minghua

2018-06-01

The performance of multiple-input multiple-output wireless optical communication systems that adopt Q-ary pulse position modulation over spatial correlated log-normal fading channel is analyzed in terms of its un-coded bit error rate and ergodic channel capacity. The analysis is based on the Wilkinson's method which approximates the distribution of a sum of correlated log-normal random variables to a log-normal random variable. The analytical and simulation results corroborate the increment of correlation coefficients among sub-channels lead to system performance degradation. Moreover, the receiver diversity has better performance in resistance of spatial correlation caused channel fading.

Performance of DPSK with convolutional encoding on time-varying fading channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mui, S. Y.; Modestino, J. W.

1977-01-01

The bit error probability performance of a differentially-coherent phase-shift keyed (DPSK) modem with convolutional encoding and Viterbi decoding on time-varying fading channels is examined. Both the Rician and the lognormal channels are considered. Bit error probability upper bounds on fully-interleaved (zero-memory) fading channels are derived and substantiated by computer simulation. It is shown that the resulting coded system performance is a relatively insensitive function of the choice of channel model provided that the channel parameters are related according to the correspondence developed as part of this paper. Finally, a comparison of DPSK with a number of other modulation strategies is provided.

Tectonics, basin analysis and organic geochemical attributes of Permian through Mesozoic deposits and their derivative oils of the Turpan-Hami basin, northwestern China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greene, Todd Jeremy

The Turpan-Hami basin is a major physiographic and geologic feature of northwest China, yet considerable uncertainty exists as to the timing of its inception, its late Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonic history, and the relationship of its petroleum systems to those of the nearby Junggar basin. Mesozoic sedimentary fades, regional unconformities, sediment dispersal patterns, and sediment compositions within the Turpan-Hami and southern Junggar basins suggest that these basins were initially separated between Early Triassic and Early Jurassic time. Prior to separation, Upper Permian profundal lacustrine and fan-delta fades and Triassic coarse-grained braided-fluvial/alluvial fades were deposited across a contiguous Junggar-Turpan-Hami basin. Permian through Triassic fades were derived mainly from the Tian Shan to the south as indicated by northward-directed paleocurrent directions and geochemical provenance of granitoid cobbles. Lower through Middle Jurassic strata begin to reflect ponded coal-forming, lake-plain environments within the Turpan-Hami basin. A sharp change in sedimentary-lithic-rich Lower Jurassic sandstone followed by a return to lithic volcanic-rich Middle Jurassic sandstone points to the initial uplift and unroofing of the largely andesitic Bogda Shan range, which first shed its sedimentary cover as it emerged to become the partition between the Turpan-Hami and southern Junggar basins. In Turpan-Hami, source rock age is one of three major statistically significant discriminators of effective source rocks in the basin. A newly developed biomarker parameter appears to track conifer evolution and can distinguish Permian rocks and their correlative oils from Jurassic coals and mudrocks, and their derivative oils. Source fades is a second key control on petroleum occurrence and character. By erecting rock-to-oil correlation models, the biomarker parameters separate oil families into end-member groups: Group 1 oils---Lower/Middle Jurassic peatland/swamp fades, Group 2 oils---Lower/Middle Jurassic marginal lacustrine fades, and Group 3 oils---Upper Permian lacusbine fades. Burial history exercises a third major control on petroleum in the Turpan-Hami basin. While relatively uninterrupted deep burial in the Tabei Depression exhausted Upper Permian source rocks and brought Lower/Middle Jurassic rocks well into the oil generative window, Late Jurassic uplift in the Tainan Depression eroded much of the Lower/Middle Jurassic section and preserved Upper Permian sourced oils as biodegraded, relict, heavy oils.* *This dissertation includes a CD that is multimedia (contains text and other applications that are not available in a printed format). The CD requires the following applications: Adobe Acrobat, UNIX.

Study of morphometry to debit drainage basin (DAS) arau Padang city

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utama, Lusi; Amrizal, Berd, Isril; Zuherna

2017-11-01

High intensity rain that happened in Padang city cause the happening of floods at DAS Arau. Floods that happened in Padang besides caused high rain intensity, require to be by research about morphometry that is cause parameter the happening of floods. Morphometry drainage basin physical network (DAS) quantitatively related to DAS geomorphology that is related to form of DAS, river network, closeness of stream, ramp, usage of farm, high and gradient steepness of river. Form DAS will influence rain concentration to outlet. Make an index to closeness of stream depict closeness of river stream at one particular DAS. Speed of river stream influenced by storey, level steepness of river. Steepness storey, level is comparison of difference height of river downstream and upstream. Ever greater of steepness of river stream, excelsior speed of river stream that way on the contrary. High to lower speed of river stream influence occurrence of floods, more than anything else if when influenced by debit big. Usage of farm in glove its link to process of infiltration where if geology type which is impermeable, be difficult the happening of infiltration, this matter will enlarge value of run off. Research by descriptive qualitative that is about characteristic of DAS. Method the used is method survey with data collecting, in the form of rainfall data of year 2005 until year 2015 and Image of DEM IFSAR with resolution 5 meter, analyzed use Software ARGIS. Result of research got by DAS reside in at condition of floods gristle.

Fading In

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nader, Karim; Wang, Szu-Han

2006-01-01

Patient H.M. can form new memories and maintain them for a few seconds before they fade away. From a neurobiological perspective, this amnesia is usually attributed to the absence of memory consolidation, that is, memory storage. An alternative view holds that this impairment reflects that the memory is present but cannot be retrieved. This debate…

Coverage area and fading time of surfactant-amended herbicidal droplets on cucurbitaceous leaves

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Proper use of appropriate surfactants to control droplet behaviors on leaf surfaces is critical to improve herbicide application efficacy for controlling paddy melons. An esterified seed oil surfactant and a petroleum oil surfactant were investigated to modify spread areas and fading times of water ...

"Concreteness Fading" Promotes Transfer of Mathematical Knowledge

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McNeil, Nicole M.; Fyfe, Emily R.

2012-01-01

Recent studies have suggested that educators should avoid concrete instantiations when the goal is to promote transfer. However, concrete instantiations may benefit transfer in the long run, particularly if they are "faded" into more abstract instantiations. Undergraduates were randomly assigned to learn a mathematical concept in one of three…

A Probe Intermix Procedure for Fading Response Prompts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Billingsley, Felix F.

1987-01-01

A prompt fading method was employed to teach an eight-year-old student with severe behavior disorders the self-paced use of a functional behavior (requesting rather than grabbing food items). Initial pairing of prompts and natural cues was followed by a mix of prompted and probe (unprompted) trials. (Author/JW)

Perceptual Fading without Retinal Adaptation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsieh, Po-Jang; Colas, Jaron T.

2012-01-01

A retinally stabilized object readily undergoes perceptual fading and disappears from consciousness. This startling phenomenon is commonly believed to arise from local bottom-up sensory adaptation to edge information that occurs early in the visual pathway, such as in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus or retinal ganglion cells. Here…

The Effects of Reinforcer Pairing and Fading on Preschoolers' Snack Selections

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Solberg, Katherine M.; Hanley, Gregory P.; Layer, Stacy A.; Ingvarsson, Einar T.

2007-01-01

The effects of reinforcement pairing and fading on preschoolers' snack selections were evaluated in a multiple baseline design. Baseline preferences for snack options were assessed via repeated paired-item preference assessments. Edible, social, and activity-based reinforcers were then exclusively paired with a less preferred snack option. Once…

Extending the impulse response in order to reduce errors due to impulse noise and signal fading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webb, Joseph A.; Rolls, Andrew J.; Sirisena, H. R.

1988-01-01

A finite impulse response (FIR) digital smearing filter was designed to produce maximum intersymbol interference and maximum extension of the impulse response of the signal in a noiseless binary channel. A matched FIR desmearing filter at the receiver then reduced the intersymbol interference to zero. Signal fades were simulated by means of 100 percent signal blockage in the channel. Smearing and desmearing filters of length 256, 512, and 1024 were used for these simulations. Results indicate that impulse response extension by means of bit smearing appears to be a useful technique for correcting errors due to impulse noise or signal fading in a binary channel.

Fading Skies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sio, Betsy Menson

2009-01-01

A sky fading from blue to white to red at the horizon, and water darkening from light to midnight blue. Strong diagonals slashing through the image, drawing a viewer's eyes deeper into the picture, and delicate trees poised to convey a sense of beauty. These are the fascinating strengths of the ukiyo-e woodblock prints of Japanese artist Ando…

Example-Based Learning: Exploring the Use of Matrices and Problem Variability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hancock-Niemic, Mary A.; Lin, Lijia; Atkinson, Robert K.; Renkl, Alexander; Wittwer, Joerg

2016-01-01

The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of using faded worked examples presented in matrices with problem structure variability to enhance learners' ability to recognize the underlying structure of the problems. Specifically, this study compared the effects of matrix-format versus linear-format faded worked examples combined with…

The Influence of Small Class Size, Duration, Intensity, and Heterogeneity on Head Start Fade

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huss, Christopher D.

2010-01-01

The researcher conducted a nonexperimental study to investigate and analyze the influence of reduced class sizes, intensity (all day and every day), duration (five years), and heterogeneity (random class assignment) on the Head Start Fade effect. The researcher employed retrospective data analysis using a longitudinal explanatory design on data…

Exploring the Effects of Concreteness Fading across Grades in Elementary School Science Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaakkola, Tomi; Veermans, Koen

2018-01-01

The present study investigates the effects that concreteness fading has on learning and transfer across three grade levels (4-6) in elementary school science education in comparison to learning with constantly concrete representations. 127 9- to 12-years-old elementary school students studied electric circuits in a computer-based simulation…

Protecting Libraries for Lifelong Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Loveland, Erma Jean

A study of methods for protecting the special collection at the University of Abilene (Texas) from fading and deterioration caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays showed that fluorescent light filters did not correct the problem. Leaders in the preservation field say that the removal of light is the best procedure to eliminate fading. A second choice is…

Parent-Implemented Bedtime Fading and Positive Routines for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delemere, Emma; Dounavi, Katerina

2018-01-01

Sleep disorders affect a large portion of those with autism spectrum disorder. Behavioural interventions have been found to increase appropriate sleep behaviours. This study sought to examine the efficacy of two stimulus control interventions (bedtime fading and positive routines) on total sleep duration, sleep onset latency and frequency and…

Fading Correction To Be Used In Clinical Thermoluminescence Dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furetta, C.; Azorin, J.; Rivera, T.

2004-09-01

This paper presents some useful expressions for fading correction, which can be used in practical situations as they can be encountered in clinical dosimetry. The situations took into consideration can be encountered in hospital environments during and after radiotherapeutic treatments of patients as well as for radiation protection procedures concerning staff members.

Using Crises, Feedback, and Fading for Online Task Design

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bokhove, Christian

2014-01-01

A recent discussion involves the elaboration on possible design principles for sequences of tasks. This paper builds on three principles, as described by Bokhove and Drijvers (2012a). A model with ingredients of crises, feedback and fading of sequences with near-similar tasks can be used to address both procedural fluency and conceptual…

An accelerated calendar and cycle life study of Li-ion cells.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bloom, I.; Cole, B. W.; Sohn, J. J.

2001-10-15

The accelerated calendar and cycle life of lithium-ion cells was studied. Useful cell life was strongly affected by temperature, time, state-of-charge (SOC) and change in state-of-charge ({Delta}SOC). In calendar life experiments, useful cell life was strongly affected by temperature and time. Temperature accelerated cell performance degradation. The rates of area specific impedance (ASI) increase and power fade followed simple laws based on a power of time and Arrhenius kinetics. The data have been modeled using these two concepts and the calculated data agree well with the experimental values. The calendar life ASI increase and power fade data follow (time){sup 1/2}more » kinetics. This behavior may be due to solid electrolyte interface layer growth. From the cycle life experiments, the ASI increase data follow (time){sup 1/2} kinetics also, but there is an apparent change in overall power fade mechanism when going from 3 to 6% {Delta}SOC. Here, the power of time drops to below 1/2, which indicates that the power fade mechanism is more complex than layer growth.« less

Simulation of the fading of photographic three-color materials: a new tool for the preservation field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frey, Franziska S.; Gschwind, Rudolf; Reilly, James M.

1995-04-01

Photography and motion pictures play an important role in our society as information carriers, artistic medium, and historical document, representing cultural values which have to be preserved. The emerging electronic imaging techniques help in developing new methods to accomplish this goal. The dyes of common photographic three-color materials are chemically rather unstable. Both the thermodynamic and the photochemical stability is low. As a result, millions of photographs and thousands of films deteriorate, if not preserved and stored under optimal conditions. It is of great interest to curators of museums that house photographic or cinematographic collections to simulate and visualize the fading process. A multimedia production including images and further information offers a direct and convincing way to demonstrate the different effects of various storage alternatives on dye loss. This project is an example of an interdisciplinary approach that includes photography, conservation, and computer science. The simulation program used for the creation of the faded images is based on algorithms developed for the reconstruction of faded color photographic materials.

Demonstration of lipofuscin and Nissl bodies in crystal violet stained sections using a fluorescence technique or pyronin Y stain.

PubMed

Terr, L I

1986-09-01

This paper presents two simple, reliable methods for identification of lipofuscin and Nissl bodies in the same section. One method shows that lipofuscin stained with crystal violet retains its ability to fluoresce and can be observed under the fluorescence microscope after the stain has faded. Fading is accompanied by a gradual increase in the intensity of the fluorescence and is complete in about 5 min. Exciting illumination from this part of the spectrum also substantially fades staining of other autofluorescing tissue elements, such as lipids. Nonfluorescing structures, such as Nissl bodies, remain stained. By changing from transillumination with tungsten light to epifluorescent illumination and vice versa, both types of structures--Nissl bodies and lipofuscin--can be identified in the same section. The second technique uses pyronin Y for staining Nissl bodies in preparations previously stained with crystal violet. Nissl bodies are stained pink but lipofuscin remains violet. Lipofuscin in these sections also remains autofluorescent after the crystal violet stain has faded under violet or near-UV light.

Adaptive Pre-FFT Equalizer with High-Precision Channel Estimator for ISI Channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Makoto

We present an attractive approach for OFDM transmission using an adaptive pre-FFT equalizer, which can select ICI reduction mode according to channel condition, and a degenerated-inverse-matrix-based channel estimator (DIME), which uses a cyclic sinc-function matrix uniquely determined by transmitted subcarriers. In addition to simulation results, the proposed system with an adaptive pre-FFT equalizer and DIME has been laboratory tested by using a software defined radio (SDR)-based test bed. The simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the system at a rate of more than 100Mbps can provide a bit error rate of less than 10-3 for a fast multi-path fading channel that has a moving velocity of more than 200km/h with a delay spread of 1.9µs (a maximum delay path of 7.3µs) in the 5-GHz band.

Model verifies design of mobile data modem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, F.; Sumida, J.

1986-01-01

It has been proposed to use differential minimum shift keying (DMSK) modems in spacecraft-based mobile communications systems. For an employment of these modems, it is necessary that the transmitted carrier frequency be known prior to signal detection. In addition, the time needed by the receiver to lock onto the carrier frequency must be minimized. The present article is concerned with a DMSK modem developed for the Mobile Satellite Service. This device demonstrated fast acquisition time and good performance in the presence of fading. However, certain problems arose in initial attempts to study the acquisition behavior of the AFC loop through breadboard techniques. The development of a software model of the AFC loop is discussed, taking into account two cases which were plotted using the model. Attention is given to a demonstration of the viability of the modem by an approach involving modeling and analysis of the frequency synchronizer.

Low elevation angle KU-band satellite measurements at Austin, Texas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.; Ranganathan, Murali

1989-01-01

At low elevation angles, the propagation of satellite signals is affected by precipitation as well as by inhomogeneties of the refractive index. Whereas precipitation causes fades for relatively small percentages of time, the refractive index variability causes scintillations which can be observed for most of the time. An experiment is now under way in Austin, Texas, in which the right hand circularly polarized 12 GHz beacon of INTELSAT-V/F10 is observed at a 5.8 deg elevation angle, along with the radiometric sky temperature, rainfall rate, humidity, pressure, temperature, and wind speed and direction. The objective of these measurements is to accumulate a database over a period of 2 years and to analyze the probabilities and dynamical behavior of the signal variations in relation to the meteorological parameters. The hardware and software used for the data acquisition and analysis is described and the results from the first year of measurements are presented.

Motion-Induced Blindness and Troxler Fading: Common and Different Mechanisms

PubMed Central

Bonneh, Yoram S.; Donner, Tobias H.; Cooperman, Alexander; Heeger, David J.; Sagi, Dov

2014-01-01

Extended stabilization of gaze leads to disappearance of dim visual targets presented peripherally. This phenomenon, known as Troxler fading, is thought to result from neuronal adaptation. Intense targets also disappear intermittently when surrounded by a moving pattern (the “mask”), a phenomenon known as motion-induced blindness (MIB). The similar phenomenology and dynamics of these disappearances may suggest that also MIB is, likewise, solely due to adaptation, which may be amplified by the presence of the mask. Here we directly compared the dependence of both phenomena on target contrast. Observers reported the disappearance and reappearance of a target of varying intensity (contrast levels: 8%–80%). MIB was induced by adding a mask that moved at one of various different speeds. The results revealed a lawful effect of contrast in both MIB and Troxler fading, but with opposite trends. Increasing target contrast increased (doubled) the rate of disappearance events for MIB, but decreased the disappearance rate to half in Troxler fading. The target mean invisible period decreased equally strongly with target contrast in MIB and in Troxler fading. The results suggest that both MIB and Troxler are equally affected by contrast adaptation, but that the rate of MIB is governed by an additional mechanism, possibly involving antagonistic processes between neuronal populations processing target and mask. Our results link MIB to other bi-stable visual phenomena that involve neuronal competition (such as binocular rivalry), which exhibit an analogous dependency on the strength of the competing stimulus components. PMID:24658600

A method to minimise the fading effects of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-600 and TLD-700) using a pre-heat technique.

PubMed

Lee, YoungJu; Won, Yuho; Kang, Kidoo

2015-04-01

Passive integrating dosemeters [thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL)] are the only legally permitted individual dosemeters for occupational external radiation exposure monitoring in Korea. Also its maximum issuing cycle does not exceed 3 months, and the Korean regulations require personal dosemeters for official assessment of external radiation exposure to be issued by an approved or rather an accredited dosimetry service according to ISO/IEC 17025. KHNP (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, LTD), a unique operating company of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Korea, currently has a plan to extend a TLD issuing cycle from 1 to 3 months under the authors' fading error criteria, ±10%. The authors have performed a feasibility study that minimises post-irradiation fading effects within their maximum reading cycle employing pre-heating technique. They repeatedly performed irradiation/reading a bare TLD chip to determine optimum pre-heating conditions by analysing each glow curve. The optimum reading conditions within the maximum reading cycle of 3 months were decided: a pre-heating temperature of 165°C, a pre-heating time of 9 s, a heating rate of 25°C s(-1), a reading temperature of 300°C and an acquisition time of 10 s. The fading result of TLD-600 and TLD-700 carried by newly developed time temperature profile (TTP) showed a much smaller fading effect than that of current TTP. The result showed that the fading error due to a developed TTP resulted in a ∼5% signal loss, whereas a current TTP caused a ∼15% loss. The authors also carried out a legal performance test on newly developed TTP to confirm its possibility as an official dosemeter. The legal performance tests that applied the developed TTP satisfied the criteria for all the test categories. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Acoustic/seismic signal propagation and sensor performance modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, D. Keith; Marlin, David H.; Mackay, Sean

2007-04-01

Performance, optimal employment, and interpretation of data from acoustic and seismic sensors depend strongly and in complex ways on the environment in which they operate. Software tools for guiding non-expert users of acoustic and seismic sensors are therefore much needed. However, such tools require that many individual components be constructed and correctly connected together. These components include the source signature and directionality, representation of the atmospheric and terrain environment, calculation of the signal propagation, characterization of the sensor response, and mimicking of the data processing at the sensor. Selection of an appropriate signal propagation model is particularly important, as there are significant trade-offs between output fidelity and computation speed. Attenuation of signal energy, random fading, and (for array systems) variations in wavefront angle-of-arrival should all be considered. Characterization of the complex operational environment is often the weak link in sensor modeling: important issues for acoustic and seismic modeling activities include the temporal/spatial resolution of the atmospheric data, knowledge of the surface and subsurface terrain properties, and representation of ambient background noise and vibrations. Design of software tools that address these challenges is illustrated with two examples: a detailed target-to-sensor calculation application called the Sensor Performance Evaluator for Battlefield Environments (SPEBE) and a GIS-embedded approach called Battlefield Terrain Reasoning and Awareness (BTRA).

TOPEX/El Niño Watch - Strong, Long-lasting La Niña Just Fading Away, June 19, 2000

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-07-06

After dominating the tropical Pacific Ocean for more than two years, the 1998-2000 La Niña cool pool is continuing its slow fade and seems to be retiring from the climate stage, according to satellite data from NASA U.S.-French TOPEX/Poseidon mission.

TOPEX El Niño/La Niña -La Niña Begins to Fade, April 7, 1999

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-06-21

The cold pool of water in the Pacific known as La Nina is beginning to fade, but ocean conditions have not returned to normal, according to scientists studying images from the U.S.-French TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00031

Assessment and Treatment of Selective Mutism: Recommendations and a Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sheridan, Susan M.; And Others

1995-01-01

Presents results of stimulus fading procedure used to treat a six-year-old girl with elective mutism. Presents assessment protocol that features procedures that can be used to render a diagnosis and assist in treatment planning. Results suggest stimulus fading of new persons into the school setting was effective in producing speech. (JBJ)

Investigating Human Impact in the Environment with Faded Scaffolded Inquiry Supported by Technologies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell, Todd; Longhurst, Max; Duffy, Aaron M.; Wolf, Paul G.; Nagy, Robin

2012-01-01

Teaching science as inquiry is advocated in all national science education documents and by leading science and science teaching organizations. In addition to teaching science as inquiry, we recognize that learning experiences need to connect to students' lives. This article details how we use a sequence of faded scaffolded inquiry supported by…

DETAILED DATA ANALYSIS OF ECHO I, ECHO II AND MOON REFLECTED SIGNALS. VOLUME 2. AUTOCORRELATION FUNCTIONS OF ECHO II REFLECTED SIGNALS,

DTIC Science & Technology

techniques is presented. Two methods for linearizing the data are given. An expression for the specular-to-spattered power ratio is derived, and the inverse ... transform of the autocorrelation function is discussed. The surface roughness of the reflector, the discrete fading rates, and fading frequencies

The Landmark Decision that Faded into Historical Obscurity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nance, Molly

2007-01-01

This article takes a look at the Mendez v. Westminster School District, a landmark case that faded into historical obscurity. In the 1940s, Gonzalo and Felicita Mendez wanted their three children to attend the school nearest their farm, which was the 17th Street Elementary School in Westminster. But in the Westminster, Orange County, El Medina,…

Using Reinforcer Pairing and Fading to Increase the Milk Consumption of a Preschool Child

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tiger, Jeffrey H.; Hanley, Gregory P.

2006-01-01

The present study replicates and extends previous research on the treatment of food selectivity by implementing pairing and fading procedures to increase a child's milk consumption during regularly scheduled preschool meals. The treatment involved mixing a small amount of chocolate syrup into a glass of milk and gradually eliminating the…

A Comparison of the Effects of Brief Rules, a Timer, and Preferred Toys on Self-Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newquist, Matthew H.; Dozier, Claudia L.; Neidert, Pamela L.

2012-01-01

Some children make impulsive choices (i.e., choose a small but immediate reinforcer over a large but delayed reinforcer). Previous research has shown that delay fading, providing an alternative activity during the delay, teaching participants to repeat a rule during the delay, combining delay fading with an alternative activity, and combining…

Estimation of Rain Intensity Spectra over the Continental US Using Ground Radar-Gauge Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Xin; Hou, Arthur Y.

2013-01-01

A high-resolution surface rainfall product is used to estimate rain characteristics over the continental US as a function of rain intensity. By defining each data at 4-km horizontal resolutions and 1-h temporal resolutions as an individual precipitating/nonprecipitating sample, statistics of rain occurrence and rain volume including their geographical and seasonal variations are documented. Quantitative estimations are also conducted to evaluate the impact of missing light rain events due to satellite sensors' detection capabilities. It is found that statistics of rain characteristics have large seasonal and geographical variations across the continental US. Although heavy rain events (> 10 mm/hr.) only occupy 2.6% of total rain occurrence, they may contribute to 27% of total rain volume. Light rain events (< 1.0 mm/hr.), occurring much more frequently (65%) than heavy rain events, can also make important contributions (15%) to the total rain volume. For minimum detectable rain rates setting at 0.5 and 0.2 mm/hr which are close to sensitivities of the current and future space-borne precipitation radars, there are about 43% and 11% of total rain occurrence below these thresholds, and they respectively represent 7% and 0.8% of total rain volume. For passive microwave sensors with their rain pixel sizes ranging from 14 to 16 km and the minimum detectable rain rates around 1 mm/hr., the missed light rain events may account for 70% of train occurrence and 16% of rain volume. Statistics of rain characteristics are also examined on domains with different temporal and spatial resolutions. Current issues in estimates of rain characteristics from satellite measurements and model outputs are discussed.

A comparison of acoustic montoring methods for common anurans of the northeastern United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brauer, Corinne; Donovan, Therese; Mickey, Ruth M.; Katz, Jonathan; Mitchell, Brian R.

2016-01-01

Many anuran monitoring programs now include autonomous recording units (ARUs). These devices collect audio data for extended periods of time with little maintenance and at sites where traditional call surveys might be difficult. Additionally, computer software programs have grown increasingly accurate at automatically identifying the calls of species. However, increased automation may cause increased error. We collected 435 min of audio data with 2 types of ARUs at 10 wetland sites in Vermont and New York, USA, from 1 May to 1 July 2010. For each minute, we determined presence or absence of 4 anuran species (Hyla versicolor, Pseudacris crucifer, Anaxyrus americanus, and Lithobates clamitans) using 1) traditional human identification versus 2) computer-mediated identification with software package, Song Scope® (Wildlife Acoustics, Concord, MA). Detections were compared with a data set consisting of verified calls in order to quantify false positive, false negative, true positive, and true negative rates. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed a strong (P < 0.001) 3-way interaction between the ARU recorder type, identification method, and focal species, as well as a trend in the main effect of rain (P = 0.059). Overall, human surveyors had the lowest total error rate (<2%) compared with 18–31% total errors with automated methods. Total error rates varied by species, ranging from 4% for A. americanus to 26% for L. clamitans. The presence of rain may reduce false negative rates. For survey minutes where anurans were known to be calling, the odds of a false negative were increased when fewer individuals of the same species were calling.

Rain core structure statistics derived from radar and disdrometer measurements in the mid-Atlantic coast of the US

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, Julius; Musiani, Bert H.

1989-01-01

During a period spanning more than 5 years, low elevation radar measurements of rain were systematically obtained in the mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S. Drop size distribution measurements with a disdrometer were also acquired on the same rain days. The drop size data were utilized to convert the radar reflectivity factors to estimated rain rates for the respective rain days of operation. Applying high level algorithms to the rain data, core values of rain intensities were identified (peak rain rates), and families of rain rate isopleths analyzed. In particular, equicircle diameters of the family of isopleths enveloping peak rain intensities were statistically characterized. The presented results represents the analysis of two rain days, 12 radar scans, corresponding to 430 culled rain rate isopleths from an available data base of 22,000 contours, approximately 100 scans encompassing 17 rain days. The results presented show trends of the average rain rate vs. contour scale dimensions, and cumulative distributions of rain cell dimensions which belong to core families of precipitation.

A study on multifrequency scintillations near the EIA crest of the Indian zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakraborty, S. K.; Chatterjee, S.; Jana, Debasis

2017-10-01

Occurrence features of ionospheric scintillations at S band (2492.028 MHz) are reported for the first time. The same have been explored in the context of scintillations at VHF (250.650 MHz) and L5 (1176.45 MHz) bands. Observations were carried out during the period April-December, 2015 at Raja Peary Mohan College Centre (RPMC: 22.66° N, 88.4° E), located near the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest of the Indian longitude zone. Mostly weak (<10 dB), short duration, slow fading rate with shallower slope power spectra characterize the S band scintillations compared to VHF and L5 band. In the severe scintillation conditions of VHF frequent loss of lock in L5 channel is reflected. Fade depth of 4.2 ± 1.3 dB and fade rate ∼9 fades/minute at S band mostly precede the loss of lock at L5 channel. A good correspondence between fade rates at multi frequency band is reflected irrespective of phases of scintillation. Spectral analysis reveals weak scattering is the dominating mechanism for scintillation at S band while VHF and L5 band scintillations are mostly attributed to multiple scattering. The estimated threshold coherence length of <23 m at VHF may be suggested to be a good indicator for occurrence of L5 and S band scintillations. Occurrence of simultaneous multi-satellite multi-frequency scintillations leads to speculation over the failsafe navigation using available IRNSS constellation. The results are discussed in terms of existing theory of evolution, structure and dynamics of electron density irregularities in the low latitude region.

Temporal and Spatial Characterization of GPS Fading From Ionospheric Irregularities Under Low latitude

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Paula, E. R.; Moraes, A. D. O.; Vani, B. C.; Sobral, J. H. A.; Abdu, M. A.; Galera Monico, J. F.

2017-12-01

The ionosphere over the peak of the anomaly represents a treat for navigation systems based on GNSS. Brazilian territory is mostly under this harsh layer for satellite communication in general and in particular for navigation, like GPS users, where their receivers tracking performance are damaged under scintillation conditions. Ionospheric scintillation is responsible for significant degradation in the accuracy of navigation and positioning. Phase shifts accompanied by amplitude fades significantly degrades the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal disrupting the channel and loosing navigation performance. The stronger the scintillations are, more difficulty will be for the GNSS receiver tracking loops to recover the phase and code replicas. These phenomena under specific geophysical conditions may severely affect the system availability and positioning. In this work the temporal characteristics of amplitude scintillation will be analyzed at the three available GPS frequencies, L1, L2C and L5. Aspect like fading duration and depth will be evaluated and compared among the three available frequencies for the current solar cycle. This work will use GPS scintillation data recorded during six months of data during 2014 to 2015 at three stations under Brazilian territory located near the southern crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly. The analysis will be performed focusing on the fading profile of the three frequencies comparing how the fading of those signals behave statistically between them. Aspects like loss of lock, spatial orientation between the signal across the ionospheric irregularity will also be discussed showing how much more susceptible the new frequencies might be in comparison to the widely used and studied L1 frequency.

Crystal violet: Study of the photo-fading of an early synthetic dye in aqueous solution and on paper with HPLC-PDA, LC-MS and FORS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Confortin, Daria; Neevel, Han; Brustolon, Marina; Franco, Lorenzo; Kettelarij, Albert J.; Williams, Renè M.; van Bommel, Maarten R.

2010-06-01

The photo-fading of crystal violet (CV), one of the earliest synthetic dyes and an ink component, is examined both in solution and on paper. Aqueous solutions of CV were exposed to UV light (365nm) and samples were taken at constant time intervals and analysed with a High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photo Diode Array (HPLC-PDA) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS). Demethylation products were positively identified. Also, deamination probably occurred. The oxidation at the central carbon likely generates Michler's ketone (MK) or its derivatives, but still needs confirmation. To study CV on paper, Whatman paper was immersed in CV and exposed to UV light. Before and after different irradiation periods, reflectance spectra were recorded with Fibre Optic Reflectance Spectrophotometry (FORS). A decrease in CV concentration and a change in aggregation type for CV molecules upon irradiation was observed. Colorimetric L*a*b* values before and during irradiation were also measured. Also, CV was extracted from paper before and after different irradiation periods and analysed with HPLC-PDA. Photo-fading of CV on paper produced the same products as in solution, at least within the first 100 hours of irradiation. Finally, a photo-fading of CV in the presence of MK on Whatman paper was performed. It was demonstrated that MK both accelerates CV degradation and is consumed during the reaction. The degradation pathway identified in this work is suitable for explaining the photo/fading of other dyes belonging to the triarylmethane group.

Simulating glories and cloudbows in color.

PubMed

Gedzelman, Stanley D

2003-01-20

Glories and cloudbows are simulated in color by use of the Mie scattering theory of light upwelling from small-droplet clouds of finite optical thickness embedded in a Rayleigh scattering atmosphere. Glories are generally more distinct for clouds of droplets of as much as approximately 10 microm in radius. As droplet radius increases, the glory shrinks and becomes less prominent, whereas the cloudbow becomes more distinct and eventually colorful. Cloudbows typically consist of a broad, almost white band with a slightly orange outer edge and a dark inner band. Multiple light and dark bands that are related to supernumerary rainbows first appear inside the cloudbow as droplet radius increases above approximately 10 microm and gradually become more prominent when all droplets are the same size. Bright glories with multiple rings and high color purity are simulated when all droplets are the same size and every light beam is scattered just once. Color purity decreases and outer rings fade as the range of droplet sizes widens and when skylight, reflected light from the ground or background, and multiply scattered light from the cloud are included. Consequently, the brightest and most colorful glories and bows are seen when the observer is near a cloud or a rain swath with optical thickness of approximately 0.25 that consists of uniform-sized drops and when a dark or shaded background lies a short distance behind the cloud.

[Analysis of acid rain characteristics of Lin'an Regional Background Station using long-term observation data].

PubMed

Li, Zheng-Quan; Ma, Hao; Mao, Yu-Ding; Feng, Tao

2014-02-01

Using long-term observation data of acid rain at Lin'an Regional Background Station (Lin'an RBS), this paper studied the interannual and monthly variations of acid rain, the reasons for the variations, and the relationships between acid rain and meteorological factors. The results showed that interannual variation of acid rain at Lin'an RBS had a general increasing trend in which there were two obvious intensifying processes and two distinct weakening processes, during the period ranging from 1985 to 2012. In last two decades, the monthly variation of acid rain at Lin'an RBS indicated that rain acidity and frequency of severe acid rain were increasing but the frequency of weak acid rain was decreasing when moving towards bilateral side months of July. Acid rain occurrence was affected by rainfall intensity, wind speed and wind direction. High frequency of severe acid rain and low frequency of weak acid rain were on days with drizzle, but high frequency of weak acid rain and low frequency of severe acid rain occurred on rainstorm days. With wind speed upgrading, the frequency of acid rain and the proportion of severe acid rain were declining, the pH value of precipitation was reducing too. Another character is that daily dominant wind direction of weak acid rain majorly converged in S-W section ,however that of severe acid rain was more likely distributed in N-E section. The monthly variation of acid rain at Lin'an RBS was mainly attributed to precipitation variation, the increasing and decreasing of monthly incoming wind from SSE-WSW and NWN-ENE sections of wind direction. The interannual variation of acid rain could be due to the effects of energy consumption raising and significant green policies conducted in Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Shanghai.

Using Prompt Fading to Teach Self-Questioning to Fifth Graders with LD: Effects on Reading Comprehension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rouse, Christina A.; Alber-Morgan, Sheila R.; Cullen, Jennifer M.; Sawyer, Mary

2014-01-01

Students with LD who struggle with reading comprehension can benefit from instruction on how to read strategically. One strategy that has been demonstrated to increase reading comprehension is self-questioning. In this study, two fifth graders with LD were taught to self-generate questions using a prompt fading procedure. The participants were…

Manipulation of Motivating Operations and Use of a Script-Fading Procedure to Teach Mands for Location to Children with Language Delays

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howlett, Melissa A.; Sidener, Tina M.; Progar, Patrick R.; Sidener, David W.

2011-01-01

The effects of contriving motivating operations (MOs) and script fading on the acquisition of the mand "Where's [object]?" were evaluated in 2 boys with language delays. During each session, trials were alternated in which high-preference items were present (abolishing operation [AO] trials) or missing (establishing operation [EO] trials) from…

Role of Cr 3+ /Cr 6+ redox in chromium-substituted Li 2 MnO 3 ·LiNi 1/2 Mn 1/2 O 2 layered composite cathodes: electrochemistry and voltage fade

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Eungje; Park, Joong Sun; Wu, Tianpin

2015-01-01

The substitution of chromium into the composite Li 2MnO 3·LiNi 1/2Mn 1/2O 2cathode dramatically affects the initial electrochemical activation process; however the voltage fade process during cycling persists.

Launching Kindergarten Math Clubs: The Implementation of High 5s in New York City

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacob, Robin; Erickison, Anna; Mattera, Shira K.

2018-01-01

Early math has been shown to predict not only longer-term math achievement, but also future reading achievement, high school completion, and college attendance. Yet effects from early math programs often fade out as children move into more varied instructional contexts in elementary school. This fade-out suggests the need for an alignment of math…

Identification of Printed Nonsense Words for an Individual with Autism: A Comparison of Constant Time Delay and Stimulus Fading

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Redhair, Emily

2011-01-01

This study compared a stimulus fading (SF) procedure with a constant time delay (CTD) procedure for identification of consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) nonsense words for a participant with autism. An alternating treatments design was utilized through a computer-based format. Receptive identification of target words was evaluated using a computer…

Identification of Printed Nonsense Words for an Individual with Autism: A Comparison of Constant Time Delay and Stimulus Fading

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Redhair, Emily I.; McCoy, Kathleen M.; Zucker, Stanley H.; Mathur, Sarup R.; Caterino, Linda

2013-01-01

This study compared a stimulus fading (SF) procedure with a constant time delay (CTD) procedure for identification of consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) nonsense words for a participant with autism. An alternating treatments design was utilized through a computer-based format. Receptive identification of target words was evaluated using a computer…

Effects of Explicit and Implicit Prompts on Students' Inquiry Practices in Computer-Supported Learning Environments in High School Earth Science

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fang, Su-Chi; Hsu, Ying-Shao; Hsu, Wei Hsiu

2016-01-01

The study explored how to best use scaffolds for supporting students' inquiry practices in computer-supported learning environments. We designed a series of inquiry units assisted with three versions of written inquiry prompts (generic and context-specific); that is, three scaffold-fading conditions: implicit, explicit, and fading. We then…

Adaptive Estimation of Multiple Fading Factors for GPS/INS Integrated Navigation Systems.

PubMed

Jiang, Chen; Zhang, Shu-Bi; Zhang, Qiu-Zhao

2017-06-01

The Kalman filter has been widely applied in the field of dynamic navigation and positioning. However, its performance will be degraded in the presence of significant model errors and uncertain interferences. In the literature, the fading filter was proposed to control the influences of the model errors, and the H-infinity filter can be adopted to address the uncertainties by minimizing the estimation error in the worst case. In this paper, a new multiple fading factor, suitable for the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Inertial Navigation System (INS) integrated navigation system, is proposed based on the optimization of the filter, and a comprehensive filtering algorithm is constructed by integrating the advantages of the H-infinity filter and the proposed multiple fading filter. Measurement data of the GPS/INS integrated navigation system are collected under actual conditions. Stability and robustness of the proposed filtering algorithm are tested with various experiments and contrastive analysis are performed with the measurement data. Results demonstrate that both the filter divergence and the influences of outliers are restrained effectively with the proposed filtering algorithm, and precision of the filtering results are improved simultaneously.

Understanding capacity fade in silicon based electrodes for lithium-ion batteries using three electrode cells and upper cut-off voltage studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beattie, Shane D.; Loveridge, M. J.; Lain, Michael J.; Ferrari, Stefania; Polzin, Bryant J.; Bhagat, Rohit; Dashwood, Richard

2016-01-01

Commercial Li-ion batteries are typically cycled between 3.0 and 4.2 V. These voltages limits are chosen based on the characteristics of the cathode (e.g. lithium cobalt oxide) and anode (e.g. graphite). When alternative anode/cathode chemistries are studied the same cut-off voltages are often, mistakenly, used. Silicon (Si) based anodes are widely studied as a high capacity alternative to graphite for Lithium-ion batteries. When silicon-based anodes are paired with high capacity cathodes (e.g. Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide; NCA) the cell typically suffers from rapid capacity fade. The purpose of this communication is to understand how the choice of upper cut-off voltage affects cell performance in Si/NCA cells. A careful study of three-electrode cell data will show that capacity fade in Si/NCA cells is due to an ever-evolving silicon voltage profile that pushes the upper voltage at the cathode to >4.4 V (vs. Li/Li+). This behaviour initially improves cycle efficiency, due to liberation of new lithium, but ultimately reduces cycling efficiency, resulting in rapid capacity fade.

Combining sensory reinforcement and texture fading procedures to overcome chronic food refusal.

PubMed

Luiselli, J K; Gleason, D J

1987-06-01

Previous research has demonstrated behavioral programs to be effective in treating children with selective food preferences. However, there are few examples of interventions for the child displaying almost total food refusal. The present program combined sensory reinforcement and texture fading procedures to treat a 4-year-old deaf, visually impaired child who only consumed milk and, occasionally, pureed baby food. Sensory reinforcement consisted of the contingent presentation of light and rocking motion following consummatory responses. Texture fading entailed gradually increasing food composition. Results indicated that treatment was associated with substantial increases in the consumption of solid foods. Effects were maintained following the withdrawal of sensory reinforcement and with meals presented outside of the original treatment settings. Various features of the program are highlighted and discussed.

Design of an anti-Rician-fading modem for mobile satellite communication systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kojima, Toshiharu; Ishizu, Fumio; Miyake, Makoto; Murakami, Keishi; Fujino, Tadashi

1995-01-01

To design a demodulator applicable to mobile satellite communication systems using differential phase shift keying modulation, we have developed key technologies including an anti-Rician-fading demodulation scheme, an initial acquisition scheme, automatic gain control (AGC), automatic frequency control (AFC), and bit timing recovery (BTR). Using these technologies, we have developed one-chip digital signal processor (DSP) modem for mobile terminal, which is compact, of light weight, and of low power consumption. Results of performance test show that the developed DSP modem achieves good performance in terms of bit error ratio in mobile satellite communication environment, i.e., Rician fading channel. It is also shown that the initial acquisition scheme acquires received signal rapidly even if the carrier-to-noise power ratio (CNR) of the received signal is considerably low.

A Proposed Change to ITU-R Recommendation 681

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, F.

1996-01-01

Recommendation 681 of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) provides five models for the prediction of propagation effects on land mobile satellite links: empirical roadside shadowing (ERS), attenuation frequency scaling, fade duration distribution, non-fade duration distribution, and fading due to multipath. Because the above prediction models have been empirically derived using a limited amount of data, these schemes work only for restricted ranges of link parameters. With the first two models, for example, the frequency and elevation angle parameters are restricted to 0.8 to 2.7 GHz and 20 to 60 degrees, respectively. Recently measured data have enabled us to enhance the range of the first two schemes. Moreover, for convenience, they have been combined into a single scheme named the extended empirical roadside shadowing (EERS) model.

Estimating Rain Rates from Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauge Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Jianxin; Fisher, Brad L.; Wolff, David B.

2007-01-01

This paper describes the cubic spline based operational system for the generation of the TRMM one-minute rain rate product 2A-56 from Tipping Bucket (TB) gauge measurements. Methodological issues associated with applying the cubic spline to the TB gauge rain rate estimation are closely examined. A simulated TB gauge from a Joss-Waldvogel (JW) disdrometer is employed to evaluate effects of time scales and rain event definitions on errors of the rain rate estimation. The comparison between rain rates measured from the JW disdrometer and those estimated from the simulated TB gauge shows good overall agreement; however, the TB gauge suffers sampling problems, resulting in errors in the rain rate estimation. These errors are very sensitive to the time scale of rain rates. One-minute rain rates suffer substantial errors, especially at low rain rates. When one minute rain rates are averaged to 4-7 minute or longer time scales, the errors dramatically reduce. The rain event duration is very sensitive to the event definition but the event rain total is rather insensitive, provided that the events with less than 1 millimeter rain totals are excluded. Estimated lower rain rates are sensitive to the event definition whereas the higher rates are not. The median relative absolute errors are about 22% and 32% for 1-minute TB rain rates higher and lower than 3 mm per hour, respectively. These errors decrease to 5% and 14% when TB rain rates are used at 7-minute scale. The radar reflectivity-rainrate (Ze-R) distributions drawn from large amount of 7-minute TB rain rates and radar reflectivity data are mostly insensitive to the event definition.

Acid Rain: What It Is -- How You Can Help!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Wildlife Federation, Washington, DC.

This publication discusses the nature and consequences of acid precipitation (commonly called acid rain). Topic areas include: (1) the chemical nature of acid rain; (2) sources of acid rain; (3) geographic areas where acid rain is a problem; (4) effects of acid rain on lakes; (5) effect of acid rain on vegetation; (6) possible effects of acid rain…

Use of real time control modelling on the urban sewage system of Nancy.

PubMed

Zug, M; Faure, D; De Belly, B; Phan, L

2001-01-01

Since 1991, European Legislation on the urban treatment of wastewater requires local authorities to take into account the treatment of polluted water transported by the sewerage system and this during dry and wet weather conditions. In the seventies, the urban Community of Grand Nancy constructed storage tanks in its sewerage system in order to prevent flooding and wish today to use them to reduce and control the pollution discharges into the receiving water. This action is a part of a European LIFE project 1996-2000. The main aim of this project was to assess the effectiveness of reducing pollution of one particular retention basin, the 12,000 m3 Gentilly tank. This one has two operating modes: protection against floods during heavy rain and reduction of pollutant overflows during lighter rain. To assess its effect on the pollutant discharge, the HYDROWORKS DM software and its Real Time Control Module have been used, calibrated and validated. As this study is still in progress, this paper describes the studied site and the modelling results under different weather conditions and shows that the mathematical model can be used to simulate the operation of the catchment area and its associated sewerage system realistically.

Modulation and coding for fast fading mobile satellite communication channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mclane, P. J.; Wittke, P. H.; Smith, W. S.; Lee, A.; Ho, P. K. M.; Loo, C.

1988-01-01

The performance of Gaussian baseband filtered minimum shift keying (GMSK) using differential detection in fast Rician fading, with a novel treatment of the inherent intersymbol interference (ISI) leading to an exact solution is discussed. Trellis-coded differentially coded phase shift keying (DPSK) with a convolutional interleaver is considered. The channel is the Rician Channel with the line-of-sight component subject to a lognormal transformation.

Theoretical Foundations of Wireless Networks

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-22

Optimal transmission over a fading channel with imperfect channel state information,” in Global Telecommun. Conf., pp. 1–5, Houston TX , December 5-9...SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: The goal of this project is to develop a formal theory of wireless networks providing a scientific basis to understand...randomness and optimality. Randomness, in the form of fading, is a defining characteristic of wireless networks. Optimality is a suitable design

Frequency Hopping, Multiple Frequency-Shift Keying, Coding, and Optimal Partial-Band Jamming.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

receivers appropriate for these two strategies. Each receiver is noncoherent (a coherent receiver is generally impractical) and implements hard...Advances in Coding and Modulation for Noncoherent Channels Affected by Fading, Partial Band, and Multiple- . Access Interference, in A. J. Viterbi...Modulation for Noncoherent Channels Affected by Fading, Partial Band, and Multiple-Access interference, in A. J. Viterbi, ed., Advances in Coumunication

System for Processing Coded OFDM Under Doppler and Fading

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsou, Haiping; Darden, Scott; Lee, Dennis; Yan, Tsun-Yee

2005-01-01

An advanced communication system has been proposed for transmitting and receiving coded digital data conveyed as a form of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals in the presence of such adverse propagation-channel effects as large dynamic Doppler shifts and frequency-selective multipath fading. Such adverse channel effects are typical of data communications between mobile units or between mobile and stationary units (e.g., telemetric transmissions from aircraft to ground stations). The proposed system incorporates novel signal processing techniques intended to reduce the losses associated with adverse channel effects while maintaining compatibility with the high-speed physical layer specifications defined for wireless local area networks (LANs) as the standard 802.11a of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE 802.11a). OFDM is a multi-carrier modulation technique that is widely used for wireless transmission of data in LANs and in metropolitan area networks (MANs). OFDM has been adopted in IEEE 802.11a and some other industry standards because it affords robust performance under frequency-selective fading. However, its intrinsic frequency-diversity feature is highly sensitive to synchronization errors; this sensitivity poses a challenge to preserve coherence between the component subcarriers of an OFDM system in order to avoid intercarrier interference in the presence of large dynamic Doppler shifts as well as frequency-selective fading. As a result, heretofore, the use of OFDM has been limited primarily to applications involving small or zero Doppler shifts. The proposed system includes a digital coherent OFDM communication system that would utilize enhanced 802.1la-compatible signal-processing algorithms to overcome effects of frequency-selective fading and large dynamic Doppler shifts. The overall transceiver design would implement a two-frequency-channel architecture (see figure) that would afford frequency diversity for reducing the adverse effects of multipath fading. By using parallel concatenated convolutional codes (also known as Turbo codes) across the dual-channel and advanced OFDM signal processing within each channel, the proposed system is intended to achieve at least an order of magnitude improvement in received signal-to-noise ratio under adverse channel effects while preserving spectral efficiency.

Unexpected Voltage Fade in LMR-NMC Oxides Cycled below the "Activation" Plateau

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Y.; Bareno, J.; Bettge, M.

A common feature of lithium-excess layered oxides, nominally of composition xLi(2)MnO(3)center dot(1-x)LiMO2 (M = transition metal) is a high-voltage plateau (similar to 4.5 V vs. Li/Li+) in their capacity-voltage profile during the first delithiation cycle. This plateau is believed to result from activation of the Li2MnO3 component, which makes additional lithium available for electrochemical cycling. However, oxides cycled beyond this activation plateau are known to display voltage fade which is a continuous reduction in their equilibrium potential. In this article we show that these oxides display gradual voltage fade even on electrochemical cycling in voltage ranges well below the activationmore » plateau. The average fade is similar to 0.08 mV-cycle(-1) for Li(1.2)Ni(0.1)5Mn(0.5)5Co(0.1)O(2) vs. Li cells after 20 cycles in the 2-4.1 V range at 55 degrees C; a similar to 54 mV voltage hysteresis, expressed as the difference in average cell voltage between charge and discharge cycles, is also observed. The voltage fade results from a gradual accumulation of local spinel environments in the crystal structure. Some of these spinel sites result from lithium deficiencies during oxide synthesis and are likely to be at the particle surfaces; other sites result from the migration of transition metal atoms in the partially-delithiated LiMO2 component into the lithium planes during electrochemical cycling. The observed rate of voltage fade depends on a combination of factors that includes the phase equilibrium between the layered and spinel components and the kinetics of transition metal migration. (C) The Author(s) 2014. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. All rights reserved.« less

Application and comparison of the FADES, MADIT, and SHFM-D risk models for risk stratification of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator treatment

PubMed Central

van der Heijden, Aafke C.; van Rees, Johannes B.; Levy, Wayne C.; van der Bom, Johanna G.; Cannegieter, Suzanne C.; de Bie, Mihàly K.; van Erven, Lieselot; Schalij, Martin J.; Borleffs, C. Jan  Willem

2017-01-01

Aims Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) treatment is beneficial in selected patients. However, it remains difficult to accurately predict which patients benefit most from ICD implantation. For this purpose, different risk models have been developed. The aim was to validate and compare the FADES, MADIT, and SHFM-D models. Methods and results All patients receiving a prophylactic ICD at the Leiden University Medical Center were evaluated. Individual model performance was evaluated by C-statistics. Model performances were compared using net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated differentiation improvement (IDI). The primary endpoint was non-benefit of ICD treatment, defined as mortality without prior ventricular arrhythmias requiring ICD intervention. A total of 1969 patients were included (age 63 ± 11 years; 79% male). During a median follow-up of 4.5 ± 3.9 years, 318 (16%) patients died without prior ICD intervention. All three risk models were predictive for event-free mortality (all: P < 0.001). The C-statistics were 0.66, 0.69, and 0.75, respectively, for FADES, MADIT, and SHFM-D (all: P < 0.001). Application of the SHFM-D resulted in an improved IDI of 4% and NRI of 26% compared with MADIT; IDI improved 11% with the use of SHFM-D instead of FADES (all: P < 0.001), but NRI remained unchanged (P = 0.71). Patients in the highest-risk category of the MADIT and SHFM-D models had 1.7 times higher risk to experience ICD non-benefit than receive appropriate ICD interventions [MADIT: mean difference (MD) 20% (95% CI: 7–33%), P = 0.001; SHFM-D: MD 16% (95% CI: 5–27%), P = 0.005]. Patients in the highest-risk category of FADES were as likely to experience ICD intervention as ICD non-benefit [MD 3% (95% CI: –8 to 14%), P = 0.60]. Conclusion The predictive and discriminatory value of SHFM-D to predict non-benefit of ICD treatment is superior to FADES and MADIT in patients receiving prophylactic ICD treatment. PMID:28130376

Changes in blast zone albedo patterns around new martian impact craters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daubar, I. J.; Dundas, C. M.; Byrne, S.; Geissler, P.; Bart, G. D.; McEwen, A. S.; Russell, P. S.; Chojnacki, M.; Golombek, M. P.

2016-03-01

"Blast zones" (BZs) around new martian craters comprise various albedo features caused by the initial impact, including diffuse halos, extended linear and arcuate rays, secondary craters, ejecta patterns, and dust avalanches. We examined these features for changes in repeat images separated by up to four Mars years. Here we present the first comprehensive survey of the qualitative and quantitative changes observed in impact blast zones over time. Such changes are most likely due to airfall of high-albedo dust restoring darkened areas to their original albedo, the albedo of adjacent non-impacted surfaces. Although some sites show drastic changes over short timescales, nearly half of the sites show no obvious changes over several Mars years. Albedo changes are more likely to occur at higher-latitude sites, lower-elevation sites, and at sites with smaller central craters. No correlation was seen between amount of change and Dust Cover Index, relative halo size, or historical regional albedo changes. Quantitative albedo measurements of the diffuse dark halos relative to their surroundings yielded estimates of fading lifetimes for these features. The average lifetime among sites with measurable fading is ∼15 Mars years; the median is ∼8 Mars years for a linear brightening. However, at approximately half of sites with three or more repeat images, a nonlinear function with rapid initial fading followed by a slow increase in albedo provides a better fit to the fading behavior; this would predict even longer lifetimes. The predicted lifetimes of BZs are comparable to those of slope streaks, and considered representative of fading by global atmospheric dust deposition; they last significantly longer than dust devil or rover tracks, albedo features that are erased by different processes. These relatively long lifetimes indicate that the measurement of the current impact rate by Daubar et al. (Daubar, I.J. et al. [2013]. Icarus 225, 506-516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2013.04.009) does not suffer significantly from overall under-sampling due to blast zones fading before new impact sites can be initially discovered. However, the prevalence of changes seen around smaller craters may explain in part their shallower size frequency distribution.

Changes in blast zone albedo patterns around new martian impact craters

USGS Publications Warehouse

Daubar, Ingrid J.; Dundas, Colin; Byrne, Shane; Geissler, Paul; Bart, Gwen; McEwen, Alfred S.; Russell, Patrick; Chojnacki, Matthew; Golombek, M.P.

2016-01-01

“Blast zones” (BZs) around new martian craters comprise various albedo features caused by the initial impact, including diffuse halos, extended linear and arcuate rays, secondary craters, ejecta patterns, and dust avalanches. We examined these features for changes in repeat images separated by up to four Mars years. Here we present the first comprehensive survey of the qualitative and quantitative changes observed in impact blast zones over time. Such changes are most likely due to airfall of high-albedo dust restoring darkened areas to their original albedo, the albedo of adjacent non-impacted surfaces. Although some sites show drastic changes over short timescales, nearly half of the sites show no obvious changes over several Mars years. Albedo changes are more likely to occur at higher-latitude sites, lower-elevation sites, and at sites with smaller central craters. No correlation was seen between amount of change and Dust Cover Index, relative halo size, or historical regional albedo changes. Quantitative albedo measurements of the diffuse dark halos relative to their surroundings yielded estimates of fading lifetimes for these features. The average lifetime among sites with measurable fading is ∼15 Mars years; the median is ∼8 Mars years for a linear brightening. However, at approximately half of sites with three or more repeat images, a nonlinear function with rapid initial fading followed by a slow increase in albedo provides a better fit to the fading behavior; this would predict even longer lifetimes. The predicted lifetimes of BZs are comparable to those of slope streaks, and considered representative of fading by global atmospheric dust deposition; they last significantly longer than dust devil or rover tracks, albedo features that are erased by different processes. These relatively long lifetimes indicate that the measurement of the current impact rate by Daubar et al. (Daubar, I.J. et al. [2013]. Icarus 225, 506–516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2013.04.009) does not suffer significantly from overall under-sampling due to blast zones fading before new impact sites can be initially discovered. However, the prevalence of changes seen around smaller craters may explain in part their shallower size frequency distribution.

The design of 1-wire net meteorological observatory for 2.4 m telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Gao-Feng; Wei, Ka-Ning; Fan, Yu-Feng; Xu, Jun; Qin, Wei

2005-03-01

The weather is an important factor to affect astronomical observations. The 2.4 m telescope can not work in Robotic Mode without the weather data input. Therefore it is necessary to build a meteorological observatory near the 2.4 m telescope. In this article, the design of the 1-wire net meteorological observatory, which includes hardware and software systems, is introduced. The hardware system is made up of some kinds of sensors and ADC. A suited power station system is also designed. The software system is based on Windows XP operating system and MySQL data management system, and a prototype system of browse/server model is developed by JAVA and JSP. After being tested, the meteorological observatory can register the immediate data of weather, such as raining, snowing, and wind speed. At last, the data will be stored for feature use. The product and the design can work well for the 2.4 m telescope.

Scientific Visualization Using the Flow Analysis Software Toolkit (FAST)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bancroft, Gordon V.; Kelaita, Paul G.; Mccabe, R. Kevin; Merritt, Fergus J.; Plessel, Todd C.; Sandstrom, Timothy A.; West, John T.

1993-01-01

Over the past few years the Flow Analysis Software Toolkit (FAST) has matured into a useful tool for visualizing and analyzing scientific data on high-performance graphics workstations. Originally designed for visualizing the results of fluid dynamics research, FAST has demonstrated its flexibility by being used in several other areas of scientific research. These research areas include earth and space sciences, acid rain and ozone modelling, and automotive design, just to name a few. This paper describes the current status of FAST, including the basic concepts, architecture, existing functionality and features, and some of the known applications for which FAST is being used. A few of the applications, by both NASA and non-NASA agencies, are outlined in more detail. Described in the Outlines are the goals of each visualization project, the techniques or 'tricks' used lo produce the desired results, and custom modifications to FAST, if any, done to further enhance the analysis. Some of the future directions for FAST are also described.

Color Degradation of Textiles with Natural Dyes and of Blue Scale Standards Exposed to White LED Lamps:Evaluation of White LED Lamps for Effectiveness as Museum Lighting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishii, Mie; Moriyama, Takayoshi; Toda, Masahiro; Kohmoto, Kohtaro; Saito, Masako

White light-emitting diodes (LED) are well suited for museum lighting because they emit neither UV nor IR radiation, which damage artifacts. The color degradation of natural dyes and blue scale standards (JIS L 0841) by white LED lamps are examined, and the performance of white LED lamps for museum lighting is evaluated. Blue scale standard grades 1-6 and silk fabrics dyed with 22 types of natural dyes classified as mid to highly responsive in a CIE technical report (CIE157:2004) were exposed to five types of white LED lamps using different luminescence methods and color temperatures. Color changes were measured at each 15000 lx·hr (500 lx at fabric surface × 300 hr) interval ten times. The accumulated exposure totaled 150000 lx·hr. The data on conventional white LED lamps and previously reported white fluorescent (W) and museum fluorescent (NU) lamps was evaluated. All the white LED lamps showed lower fading rates compared with a W lamp on a blue scale grade 1. The fading rate of natural dyes in total was the same between an NU lamp (3000 K) and a white LED lamp (2869 K). However, yellow natural dyes showed higher fading rates with the white LED lamp. This tendency is due to the high power characteristic of the LED lamp around 400-500 nm, which possibly contributes to the photo-fading action on the dyes. The most faded yellow dyes were Ukon (Curcuma longa L.) and Kihada (Phellodendron amurense Rupr.), and these are frequently used in historic artifacts such as kimono, wood-block prints, and scrolls. From a conservation point of view, we need to continue research on white LED lamps for use in museum lighting.

Time-Fractional Advection-Dispersion Equation (tFADE) to Quantify Aqueous Phase Contaminant Elution from a Trichloroethene (TCE) NAPL Source Zone in Sand Columns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tick, G. R.; Wei, S.; Sun, H.; Zhang, Y.

2016-12-01

Pore-scale heterogeneity, NAPL distribution, and sorption/desorption processes can significantly affect aqueous phase elution and mass flux in porous media systems. The application of a scale-independent fractional derivative model (tFADE) was used to simulate elution curves for a series of columns (5 cm, 7 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm, and 80 cm) homogeneously packed with 20/30-mesh sand and distributed with uniform saturations (7-24%) of NAPL phase trichloroethene (TCE). An additional set of columns (7 cm and 25 cm) were packed with a heterogeneous distribution of quartz sand upon which TCE was emplaced by imbibing the immiscible liquid, under stable displacement conditions, to simulate a spill-type process. The tFADE model was able to better represent experimental elution behavior for systems that exhibited extensive long-term concentration tailing requiring much less parameters compared to typical multi-rate mass transfer models (MRMT). However, the tFADE model was not able to effectively simulate the entire elution curve for such systems with short concentration tailing periods since it assumes a power-law distribution for the dissolution rate for TCE. Such limitations may be solved using the tempered fractional derivative model, which can capture the single-rate mass transfer process and therefore the short elution concentration tailing behavior. Numerical solution for the tempered fractional-derivative model in bounded domains however remains a challenge and therefore requires further study. However, the tFADE model shows excellent promise for understanding impacts on concentration elution behavior for systems in which physical heterogeneity, non-uniform NAPL distribution, and pronounced sorption-desorption effects dominate or are present.

Evaluation of TRMM Ground-Validation Radar-Rain Errors Using Rain Gauge Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Jianxin; Wolff, David B.

2009-01-01

Ground-validation (GV) radar-rain products are often utilized for validation of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) spaced-based rain estimates, and hence, quantitative evaluation of the GV radar-rain product error characteristics is vital. This study uses quality-controlled gauge data to compare with TRMM GV radar rain rates in an effort to provide such error characteristics. The results show that significant differences of concurrent radar-gauge rain rates exist at various time scales ranging from 5 min to 1 day, despite lower overall long-term bias. However, the differences between the radar area-averaged rain rates and gauge point rain rates cannot be explained as due to radar error only. The error variance separation method is adapted to partition the variance of radar-gauge differences into the gauge area-point error variance and radar rain estimation error variance. The results provide relatively reliable quantitative uncertainty evaluation of TRMM GV radar rain estimates at various times scales, and are helpful to better understand the differences between measured radar and gauge rain rates. It is envisaged that this study will contribute to better utilization of GV radar rain products to validate versatile spaced-based rain estimates from TRMM, as well as the proposed Global Precipitation Measurement, and other satellites.

The Effects of Reinforcer Pairing and Fading on Preschoolers' Snack Selections

PubMed Central

Solberg, Katherine M; Hanley, Gregory P; Layer, Stacy A; Ingvarsson, Einar T

2007-01-01

The effects of reinforcement pairing and fading on preschoolers' snack selections were evaluated in a multiple baseline design. Baseline preferences for snack options were assessed via repeated paired-item preference assessments. Edible, social, and activity-based reinforcers were then exclusively paired with a less preferred snack option. Once the snack paired with reinforcement was selected most frequently, the three types of reinforcement were systematically faded. Frequent selections of the previously less preferred snack option were produced with paired reinforcement, but were disrupted for all children as the paired reinforcement was reduced to low levels. These data showed that paired reinforcement was initially effective in increasing preference for the originally less preferred snack options, but more permanent changes in the value of the snack options were not achieved. Conditions for producing persistent changes in children's snack choices are discussed. PMID:18189095

Measurement of multipath delay profile in land mobile satellite channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ikegami, Tetsushi; Arakaki, Yoshiya; Wakana, Hiromitsu; Suzuki, Ryutaro

1993-01-01

Mobile satellite communication channel has been evaluated mainly with fading statistics of signal. When bandwidth of transmitting signal becomes wider, frequency selectivity of fading becomes a significant factor of the channel. Channel characteristics, not only signal variation but multipath delay spread should be evaluated. A multipath measurement system is proposed and developed for mobile satellite applications. With this system and ETS-V satellite, multipath delay profiles are measured in various environments including Tokyo metropolis and Sapporo city at 1.5 GHz. Results show that the maximum excess delay is within 1 microsec and the maximum delay spread is 0.2 microsecs at elevation angles of 40 to 47 degrees. In wideband signal transmission of about 1 MHz and more, designers should consider the effect of selective fading due to the multipath of land mobile satellite channel.

Optical superheterodyne receiver.

PubMed

Lucy, R F; Lang, K; Peters, C J; Duval, K

1967-08-01

Optical communications experiments at 6328 A, comparing the fading characteristics of coherent and noncoherent optical detection, have been performed over a 1-km real atmospheric path in different weather conditions. The results show that fading is less severe for noncoherent detection and that the fading characteristic for both types vary significantly with weather conditions. In addition, the similarity of optical FM to rf FM is demonstrated. The measurements were performed using a remote laser transmitter and an optical superheterodyne receiver operating simultaneously in both a coherent and noncoherent detection mode. The receiver, tunable over a frequency range of 1 GHz at the IF difference frequency of 30 MHz, has automatic frequency control and also uses a precision angle tracking servo to maintain receiver spatial alignment with a remote transmitter. The angle and frequency tracking capability permit operation between moving transmitter and receiver terminals.

The Australian experiment with ETS-V

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Goldhirsh, Julius; Hase, Yoshihiro

1989-01-01

Land-mobile satellite propagation measurements were implemented at L Band (1.5 GHz) in South-Eastern Australia during an 11 day period in October 1988. Transmissions (CW) from both the Japanese ETS-5 and INMARSAT Pacific geostationary satellites were accessed. Previous measurements in this series were performed at both L Band (1.5 GHz) and UHF (870 MHz) in Central Maryland, North-Central Colorado, and the southern United States. The objectives of the Australian campaign were to expand the data base acquired in the U.S. to another continent, to validate a U.S. derived empirical model for estimating the fade distribution, to establish the effects of directive antennas, to assess the isolation between co- and cross-polarized transmissions, to derive estimates of fade as well as non-fade durations, and to evaluate diversity reception. All these objectives were met.

Improving the color stability of wood-plastic composites through fiber pre-treatment

Treesearch

Nicole M. Stark; Scott A. Mueller

2008-01-01

Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) continue to make inroads into the decking market. One of the main drawbacks from the consumer’s perspective is that they can fade during weathering. It has been shown that WPCs fade more when exposed to a combination of light and water spray than when exposed only to light. This suggests that the loss of the color-imparting extractives...

Integrated Approach to Free Space Optical Communications in Strong Turbulence

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

fades at the receiver caused by atmospheric turbulence . In an attempt to mitigate the impact of intensity fades, the use of various modulation schemes... turbulence . Additionally, adaptive optics can be used to maximize fiber coupling efficiency [64]. The research in Chapters IV–VI attempts to minimize...the effect of atmospheric turbulence through signal diversity without the use of complicated higher-order wavefront control schemes. 40 3.4 Modulation

Stressful Life Events: Their Relationships with Coronary Heart Disease.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-09-01

Whyte (1980) have said retrospective studies have been criticized for the use of subjective memories that fade with the passing of time. Another...meaning," where someone may explain away an illness through exaggeration of life events. Rabkin and Struening (1976) mentioned selective memory ...faded (lower) memory of critical events, or event denial, combined with a high cholesterol level or exaggerated account of past life events (trying to

Fading characteristics of maritime propagation channel for beyond geometrical horizon communications in C-band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wei; Raulefs, Ronald; Jost, Thomas

2017-12-01

The design of a maritime communication system requires the understanding of the wireless propagation channel above the sea. For broadband communication systems, a carrier frequency in the C-band is of interest because of allocatable spectrum. Therefore, the German Aerospace Center performed a long-distance channel measurement campaign at 5.2 GHz on the North sea to investigate large and small-scale fading characteristics. The results show that our measurement data conforms with the ITU-R and the Bullington's path loss model to predict the power loss caused by diffraction over the Earth's surface. Further, the first tap of the channel impulse response experiences Rician fading due to superposition of a strong line-of-sight (LoS) path and multipath components originating from the sea surface and ship body. We found that the fading of the second tap follows a Rician distribution, but with a much smaller K-factor compared to the first tap. The K-factor showed a dependence on the distance between the transmitter and receiver. Particularly, the K-factor of the first tap decreases significantly when the distance between the transmitter and receiver is larger than the clearance distance of the first Fresnel zone. Therefore, we propose a distance-dependent K-factor model for the first and the second tap.

From coin cells to 400 mAh pouch cells: Enhancing performance of high-capacity lithium-ion cells via modifications in electrode constitution and fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trask, Stephen E.; Li, Yan; Kubal, Joseph J.; Bettge, Martin; Polzin, Bryant J.; Zhu, Ye; Jansen, Andrew N.; Abraham, Daniel P.

2014-08-01

In this article we describe efforts to improve performance and cycle life of cells containing Li1.2Ni0.15Mn0.55Co0.1O2-based positive and graphite-based negative electrodes. Initial work to identify high-performing materials, compositions, fabrication variables, and cycling conditions is conducted in coin cells. The resulting information is then used for the preparation of double-sided electrodes, assembly of pouch cells, and electrochemical testing. We report the cycling performance of cells with electrodes prepared under various conditions. Our data indicate that cells with positive electrodes containing 92 wt.% Li1.2Ni0.15Mn0.55Co0.1O2, 4 wt.% carbons (no graphite), and 4 wt.% PVdF (92-4-4) show ∼20% capacity fade after 1000 cycles in the 2.5-4.4 V range, significantly better than our baseline cells that show the same fade after only 450 cycles. Our analyses indicate that the major contributors to cell energy fade are capacity loss and impedance rise. Therefore incorporating approaches that minimize capacity fade and impedance rise, such as electrode coatings and electrolyte additives, can significantly enhance calendar and cycle life of this promising cell chemistry.

Quantifying EV battery end-of-life through analysis of travel needs with vehicle powertrain models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saxena, Samveg; Le Floch, Caroline; MacDonald, Jason; Moura, Scott

2015-05-01

Electric vehicles enable clean and efficient transportation, however concerns about range anxiety and battery degradation hinder EV adoption. The common definition for battery end-of-life is when 70-80% of original energy capacity remains, however little analysis is available to support this retirement threshold. By applying detailed physics-based models of EVs with data on how drivers use their cars, we show that EV batteries continue to meet daily travel needs of drivers well beyond capacity fade of 80% remaining energy storage capacity. Further, we show that EV batteries with substantial energy capacity fade continue to provide sufficient buffer charge for unexpected trips with long distances. We show that enabling charging in more locations, even if only with 120 V wall outlets, prolongs useful life of EV batteries. Battery power fade is also examined and we show EVs meet performance requirements even down to 30% remaining power capacity. Our findings show that defining battery retirement at 70-80% remaining capacity is inaccurate. Battery retirement should instead be governed by when batteries no longer satisfy daily travel needs of a driver. Using this alternative retirement metric, we present results on the fraction of EV batteries that may be retired with different levels of energy capacity fade.

Quantifying EV battery end-of-life through analysis of travel needs with vehicle powertrain models

DOE PAGES

Saxena, Samveg; Le Floch, Caroline; MacDonald, Jason; ...

2015-05-15

Electric vehicles enable clean and efficient transportation; however, concerns about range anxiety and battery degradation hinder EV adoption. The common definition for battery end-of-life is when 70-80% of original energy capacity remain;, however, little analysis is available to support this retirement threshold. By applying detailed physics-based models of EVs with data on how drivers use their cars, we show that EV batteries continue to meet daily travel needs of drivers well beyond capacity fade of 80% remaining energy storage capacity. Further, we show that EV batteries with substantial energy capacity fade continue to provide sufficient buffer charge for unexpected tripsmore » with long distances. We show that enabling charging in more locations, even if only with 120 V wall outlets, prolongs useful life of EV batteries. Battery power fade is also examined and we show EVs meet performance requirements even down to 30% remaining power capacity. Our findings show that defining battery retirement at 70-80% remaining capacity is inaccurate. Battery retirement should instead be governed by when batteries no longer satisfy daily travel needs of a driver. Using this alternative retirement metric, we present results on the fraction of EV batteries that may be retired with different levels of energy capacity fade.« less

Quantifying EV battery end-of-life through analysis of travel needs with vehicle powertrain models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Saxena, Samveg; Le Floch, Caroline; MacDonald, Jason

Electric vehicles enable clean and efficient transportation; however, concerns about range anxiety and battery degradation hinder EV adoption. The common definition for battery end-of-life is when 70-80% of original energy capacity remain;, however, little analysis is available to support this retirement threshold. By applying detailed physics-based models of EVs with data on how drivers use their cars, we show that EV batteries continue to meet daily travel needs of drivers well beyond capacity fade of 80% remaining energy storage capacity. Further, we show that EV batteries with substantial energy capacity fade continue to provide sufficient buffer charge for unexpected tripsmore » with long distances. We show that enabling charging in more locations, even if only with 120 V wall outlets, prolongs useful life of EV batteries. Battery power fade is also examined and we show EVs meet performance requirements even down to 30% remaining power capacity. Our findings show that defining battery retirement at 70-80% remaining capacity is inaccurate. Battery retirement should instead be governed by when batteries no longer satisfy daily travel needs of a driver. Using this alternative retirement metric, we present results on the fraction of EV batteries that may be retired with different levels of energy capacity fade.« less

Faded-example as a Tool to Acquire and Automate Mathematics Knowledge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Retnowati, E.

2017-04-01

Students themselves accomplish Knowledge acquisition and automation. The teacher plays a role as the facilitator by creating mathematics tasks that assist students in building knowledge efficiently and effectively. Cognitive load caused by learning material presented by teachers should be considered as a critical factor. While the intrinsic cognitive load is related to the degree of complexity of the material learning ones can handle, the extraneous cognitive load is directly caused by how the material is presented. Strategies to present a learning material in computational learning domains like mathematics are a namely worked example (fully-guided task) or problem-solving (discovery task with no guidance). According to the empirical evidence, learning based on problem-solving may cause high-extraneous cognitive load for students who have limited prior knowledge, conversely learn based on worked example may cause high-extraneous cognitive load for students who have mastered the knowledge base. An alternative is a faded example consisting of the partly-completed task. Learning from faded-example can facilitate students who already acquire some knowledge about the to-be-learned material but still need more practice to automate the knowledge further. This instructional strategy provides a smooth transition from a fully-guided into an independent problem solver. Designs of faded examples for learning trigonometry are discussed.

From coin cells to 400 mAh pouch cells: Enhancing performance of high-capacity lithium-ion cells via modifications in electrode constitution and fabrication

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trask, Stephen E.; Li, Yan; Kubal, Joseph J.

2014-08-01

In this article we describe efforts to improve performance and cycle life of cells containing Li1.2Ni0.15Mn0.55Co0.1O2-based positive and graphite-based negative electrodes. Initial work to identify high-performing materials, compositions, fabrication variables, and cycling conditions is conducted in coin cells. The resulting information is then used for the preparation of double-sided electrodes, assembly of pouch cells, and electrochemical testing. We report the cycling performance of cells with electrodes prepared under various conditions. Our data indicate that cells with positive electrodes containing 92 wt% Li1.2Ni0.15Mn0.55Co0.1O2, 4 wt% carbons (no graphite), and 4 wt% PVdF (92-4-4) show ~20% capacity fade after 1000 cycles inmore » the 2.5-4.4V range, significantly better than our baseline cells that show the same fade after only 450 cycles. Our analyses indicate that the major contributors to cell energy fade are capacity loss and impedance rise. Therefore incorporating approaches that minimize capacity fade and impedance rise, such as electrode coatings and electrolyte additives, can significantly enhance calendar and cycle life of this promising cell chemistry.« less

Extended X-ray emission in the IC 2497 - Hanny's Voorwerp system: energy injection in the gas around a fading AGN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sartori, Lia F.; Schawinski, Kevin; Koss, Michael; Treister, Ezequiel; Maksym, W. Peter; Keel, William C.; Urry, C. Megan; Lintott, Chris J.; Wong, O. Ivy

2016-04-01

We present deep Chandra X-ray observations of the core of IC 2497, the galaxy associated with Hanny's Voorwerp and hosting a fading AGN. We find extended soft X-ray emission from hot gas around the low intrinsic luminosity (unobscured) AGN (Lbol ˜ 1042-1044 erg s-1). The temperature structure in the hot gas suggests the presence of a bubble or cavity around the fading AGN ({{E}}_bub ˜ 10^{54}{-}10^{55} erg). A possible scenario is that this bubble is inflated by the fading AGN, which after changing accretion state is now in a kinetic mode. Other possibilities are that the bubble has been inflated by the past luminous quasar (Lbol ˜ 1046 erg s-1), or that the temperature gradient is an indication of a shock front from a superwind driven by the AGN. We discuss the possible scenarios and the implications for the AGN-host galaxy interaction, as well as an analogy between AGN and X-ray binaries lifecycles. We conclude that the AGN could inject mechanical energy into the host galaxy at the end of its lifecycle, and thus provide a source for mechanical feedback, in a similar way as observed for X-ray binaries.

Automated image alignment for 2D gel electrophoresis in a high-throughput proteomics pipeline.

PubMed

Dowsey, Andrew W; Dunn, Michael J; Yang, Guang-Zhong

2008-04-01

The quest for high-throughput proteomics has revealed a number of challenges in recent years. Whilst substantial improvements in automated protein separation with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS), aka 'shotgun' proteomics, have been achieved, large-scale open initiatives such as the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) Brain Proteome Project have shown that maximal proteome coverage is only possible when LC/MS is complemented by 2D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) studies. Moreover, both separation methods require automated alignment and differential analysis to relieve the bioinformatics bottleneck and so make high-throughput protein biomarker discovery a reality. The purpose of this article is to describe a fully automatic image alignment framework for the integration of 2-DE into a high-throughput differential expression proteomics pipeline. The proposed method is based on robust automated image normalization (RAIN) to circumvent the drawbacks of traditional approaches. These use symbolic representation at the very early stages of the analysis, which introduces persistent errors due to inaccuracies in modelling and alignment. In RAIN, a third-order volume-invariant B-spline model is incorporated into a multi-resolution schema to correct for geometric and expression inhomogeneity at multiple scales. The normalized images can then be compared directly in the image domain for quantitative differential analysis. Through evaluation against an existing state-of-the-art method on real and synthetically warped 2D gels, the proposed analysis framework demonstrates substantial improvements in matching accuracy and differential sensitivity. High-throughput analysis is established through an accelerated GPGPU (general purpose computation on graphics cards) implementation. Supplementary material, software and images used in the validation are available at http://www.proteomegrid.org/rain/.

A simple model for the estimation of rain-induced attenuation along earth-space paths at millimeter wavelengths

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stutzman, W. L.; Dishman, W. K.

1982-01-01

A simple attenuation model (SAM) is presented for estimating rain-induced attenuation along an earth-space path. The rain model uses an effective spatial rain distribution which is uniform for low rain rates and which has an exponentially shaped horizontal rain profile for high rain rates. When compared to other models, the SAM performed well in the important region of low percentages of time, and had the lowest percent standard deviation of all percent time values tested.

A software reconfigurable optical multiband UWB system utilizing a bit-loading combined with adaptive LDPC code rate scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Jing; Dai, Min; Chen, Qinghui; Deng, Rui; Xiang, Changqing; Chen, Lin

2017-07-01

In this paper, an effective bit-loading combined with adaptive LDPC code rate algorithm is proposed and investigated in software reconfigurable multiband UWB over fiber system. To compensate the power fading and chromatic dispersion for the high frequency of multiband OFDM UWB signal transmission over standard single mode fiber (SSMF), a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) with negative chirp parameter is utilized. In addition, the negative power penalty of -1 dB for 128 QAM multiband OFDM UWB signal are measured at the hard-decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) limitation of 3.8 × 10-3 after 50 km SSMF transmission. The experimental results show that, compared to the fixed coding scheme with the code rate of 75%, the signal-to-noise (SNR) is improved by 2.79 dB for 128 QAM multiband OFDM UWB system after 100 km SSMF transmission using ALCR algorithm. Moreover, by employing bit-loading combined with ALCR algorithm, the bit error rate (BER) performance of system can be further promoted effectively. The simulation results present that, at the HD-FEC limitation, the value of Q factor is improved by 3.93 dB at the SNR of 19.5 dB over 100 km SSMF transmission, compared to the fixed modulation with uncoded scheme at the same spectrum efficiency (SE).

A Method to Retrieve Rainfall Rate over Land from TRMM Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Iacovazzi, R., Jr.; Yoo, J.-M.

2002-01-01

Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) observations over mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) reveal that there are localized maxima in the rain rate with a scale of about 10 to 20 km that represent thunderstorms (Cbs). Some of these Cbs are developing or intense, while others are decaying or weak. These Cbs constitute only about 20 % of the rain area of a given MCS. Outside of Cbs, the average rain rate is much weaker than that within Cbs. From an analysis of the PR data, we find that the spatial distribution of rain and its character, convective or stratiform, is highly inhomogeneous. This complex nature of rain exists on a scale comparable to that of a Cb. The 85 GHz brightness temperature, T85, observations of the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) radiometer taken over an MCS reflect closely the PR rain rate pattern over land. Local maxima in rain rate shown by PR are observed as local minima in T85. Where there are no minima in T85, PR observations indicate there is light rain. However, the TMI brightness temperature measurements (Tbs) have poor ability to discriminate convective rain from stratiform rain. For this reason, a TMI rain retrieval procedure that depends primarily on the magnitude of Tbs performs poorly. In order to retrieve rain rate from TMI data on land one has to include the spatial distribution information deduced from the T85 data in the retrieval method. Then, quantitative estimation of rain rate can be accomplished. A TMI rain retrieval method developed along these lines can yield estimates of rain rate and its frequency distribution which agree closely with that given by PR. We find the current TRMM project TMI (Version 5) rain retrieval algorithm on land could be improved with the retrieval scheme developed here. To support the conceptual frame work of the rain retrieval method developed here, a theoretical analysis of the TMI brightness temperatures in convective and stratiform regions is presented.

Apparatus and Method for Elimination of Polarization-Induced Fading in Fiber-optic Sensor System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, Hon Man (Inventor); Parker, Jr., Allen R. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

The invention is an apparatus and method of eliminating polarization-induced fading in interferometric fiber-optic sensor system having a wavelength-swept laser optical signal. The interferometric return signal from the sensor arms are combined and provided to a multi-optical path detector assembly and ultimately to a data acquisition and processing unit by way of a switch that is time synchronized with the laser scan sweep cycle.

Approximate Solution of Time-Fractional Advection-Dispersion Equation via Fractional Variational Iteration Method

PubMed Central

İbiş, Birol

2014-01-01

This paper aims to obtain the approximate solution of time-fractional advection-dispersion equation (FADE) involving Jumarie's modification of Riemann-Liouville derivative by the fractional variational iteration method (FVIM). FVIM provides an analytical approximate solution in the form of a convergent series. Some examples are given and the results indicate that the FVIM is of high accuracy, more efficient, and more convenient for solving time FADEs. PMID:24578662

On the Application of Time-Reversed Space-Time Block Code to Aeronautical Telemetry

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

Keying (SOQPSK), bit error rate (BER), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing ( OFDM ), Generalized time-reversed space-time block codes (GTR-STBC) 16...Alamouti code [4]) is optimum [2]. Although OFDM is generally applied on a per subcarrier basis in frequency selective fading, it is not a viable...Calderbank, “Finite-length MIMO decision feedback equal- ization for space-time block-coded signals over multipath-fading channels,” IEEE Transac- tions on

Experimental investigation of correlation between fading and glint for aircraft targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallin, C. M.; Aas, B.

The correlation between the fading and glint of aircraft targets is investigated experimentally using a conventional amplitude comparison three-channel monopulse radar operating in the Ku-band. A significant correlation is found between the RCS and the variance of the angle error signals; this correlation seems to be independent of the aspect angle. The correlation between the RCS and the angle error signals themselves, however, is found to be very small.

Substituent Effects on Thermal Decolorization Rates of Bisbenzospiropyrans

PubMed Central

Lu, Nina T.; Nguyen, Vi N.; Kumar, Satish; McCurdy, Alison

2009-01-01

A novel application of photochromic molecules is to mimic physiological oscillatory calcium signals by reversibly binding and releasing calcium ions in response to light. Substituent changes on the largely unexplored photochromic bisbenzospiropyran scaffold led to significant changes in thermal fading rates in several organic solvents. Excellent correlations have been found between fading rates and empirical Hammett constants as well as calculated ground-state energies. These correlations can be used to improve scaffold design. PMID:16238356

Self-Consistency of Rain Event Definitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teves, J. B.; Larsen, M.

2014-12-01

A dense optical rain disdrometer array was constructed to study rain variability on spatial scales less than 100 meters with temporal resolution of 1 minute. Approximately two months of data were classified into rain events using methods common in the literature. These methods were unable to identify an array-wide consensus as to the total number of rain events; instruments as little as 2 meters apart with similar data records sometimes identified different rain event totals. Physical considerations suggest that these differing event totals are likely due to instrument sampling fluctuations that are typically not accounted for in rain event studies. Detection of varying numbers of rain events impact many commonly used storm statistics including storm duration distributions and mean rain rate. A summary of the results above and their implications are presented.

Joint channel estimation and multi-user detection for multipath fading channels in DS-CDMA systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Sau-Hsuan; Kuo, C.-C. Jay

2002-11-01

The technique of joint blind channel estimation and multiple access interference (MAI) suppression for an asynchronous code-division multiple-access (CDMA) system is investigated in this research. To identify and track dispersive time-varying fading channels and to avoid the phase ambiguity that come with the second-order statistic approaches, a sliding-window scheme using the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm is proposed. The complexity of joint channel equalization and symbol detection for all users increases exponentially with system loading and the channel memory. The situation is exacerbated if strong inter-symbol interference (ISI) exists. To reduce the complexity and the number of samples required for channel estimation, a blind multiuser detector is developed. Together with multi-stage interference cancellation using soft outputs provided by this detector, our algorithm can track fading channels with no phase ambiguity even when channel gains attenuate close to zero.

Effects of cycling temperatures on the voltage fade phenomenon in 0.5Li 2 MnO 3 ·0.5LiNi 0.375 Mn 0.375 Co 0.25 O 2 cathodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vu, Anh; Walker, Lee K.; Bareño, Javier

2015-04-01

The rate of voltage fade in 0.5Li2MnO3•0.5LiNi0.375Mn0.375Co0.25O2 cathodes was measured in half-cells in a temperature range of 25 to 55°C. On the basis of the dependence of the values of the open-circuit potential with cycle count and temperature, the voltage fade phenomenon seems to consist of two chemical processes: one that can be described using a parabolic rate law and another that uses a linear-with-time law. As the cycling temperature increased, the relative contributions of the two processes changed. On the basis of the overall rate versus temperature data, we believe the two processes may be in competition with onemore » another.« less

Discovering variable fractional orders of advection-dispersion equations from field data using multi-fidelity Bayesian optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pang, Guofei; Perdikaris, Paris; Cai, Wei; Karniadakis, George Em

2017-11-01

The fractional advection-dispersion equation (FADE) can describe accurately the solute transport in groundwater but its fractional order has to be determined a priori. Here, we employ multi-fidelity Bayesian optimization to obtain the fractional order under various conditions, and we obtain more accurate results compared to previously published data. Moreover, the present method is very efficient as we use different levels of resolution to construct a stochastic surrogate model and quantify its uncertainty. We consider two different problem set ups. In the first set up, we obtain variable fractional orders of one-dimensional FADE, considering both synthetic and field data. In the second set up, we identify constant fractional orders of two-dimensional FADE using synthetic data. We employ multi-resolution simulations using two-level and three-level Gaussian process regression models to construct the surrogates.

Statistical properties of single-mode fiber coupling of satellite-to-ground laser links partially corrected by adaptive optics.

PubMed

Canuet, Lucien; Védrenne, Nicolas; Conan, Jean-Marc; Petit, Cyril; Artaud, Geraldine; Rissons, Angelique; Lacan, Jerome

2018-01-01

In the framework of satellite-to-ground laser downlinks, an analytical model describing the variations of the instantaneous coupled flux into a single-mode fiber after correction of the incoming wavefront by partial adaptive optics (AO) is presented. Expressions for the probability density function and the cumulative distribution function as well as for the average fading duration and fading duration distribution of the corrected coupled flux are given. These results are of prime interest for the computation of metrics related to coded transmissions over correlated channels, and they are confronted by end-to-end wave-optics simulations in the case of a geosynchronous satellite (GEO)-to-ground and a low earth orbit satellite (LEO)-to-ground scenario. Eventually, the impact of different AO performances on the aforementioned fading duration distribution is analytically investigated for both scenarios.

ACTS mobile propagation campaign

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, Julius; Vogel, Wolfhard J.; Torrence, Geoffrey W.

1994-01-01

Preliminary results are presented for three propagation measurement campaigns involving a mobile receiving laboratory and 20 GHz transmissions from the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). Four 1994 campaigns were executed during weekly periods in and around Austin, Texas in February and May, in Central Maryland during March, and in Fairbanks, Alaska and environs in June. Measurements tested the following effects at 20 GHz: (1) attenuation due to roadside trees with and without foliage, (2) multipath effects for scenarios in which line-of-sight paths were unshadowed, (3) fades due to terrain and roadside obstacles, (4) fades due to structures in urban environs, (5) single tree attenuation, and (6) effects of fading at low elevation angles (8 deg in Fairbanks, Alaska) and high elevation angles (55 deg in Austin, Texas). Results presented here cover sampled measurements in Austin, Texas for foliage and non-foliage cases and in Central Maryland for non-foliage runs.

Transmission over EHF mobile satellite channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhuang, W.; Chouinard, J.-Y.; Yongacoglu, A.

1993-01-01

Land mobile satellite communications at Ka-band (30/20 GHz) are attracting an increasing interest among researchers because of the frequency band availability and the possibility of small earth station designs. However, communications at the Ka-band pose significant challenges in the system designs due to severe channel impairments. Because only very limited experimental data for mobile applications at Ka-band is available, this paper studies the channel characteristics based on experimental data at L-band (1.6/1.5 GHz) and the use of frequency scaling. The land mobile satellite communication channel at Ka-band is modelled as log-normal Rayleigh fading channel. The first and second-order statistics of the fading channel are studied. The performance of a coherent BPSK system over the fading channel at L-band and K-band is evaluated theoretically and validated by computer simulations. Conclusions on the communication channel characteristics and system performance at L-band and Ka-band are presented.

Systems, methods and computer-readable media for modeling cell performance fade of rechargeable electrochemical devices

DOEpatents

Gering, Kevin L

2013-08-27

A system includes an electrochemical cell, monitoring hardware, and a computing system. The monitoring hardware periodically samples performance characteristics of the electrochemical cell. The computing system determines cell information from the performance characteristics of the electrochemical cell. The computing system also develops a mechanistic level model of the electrochemical cell to determine performance fade characteristics of the electrochemical cell and analyzing the mechanistic level model to estimate performance fade characteristics over aging of a similar electrochemical cell. The mechanistic level model uses first constant-current pulses applied to the electrochemical cell at a first aging period and at three or more current values bracketing a first exchange current density. The mechanistic level model also is based on second constant-current pulses applied to the electrochemical cell at a second aging period and at three or more current values bracketing the second exchange current density.

DMSK: A practical 2400-bps receiver for the mobile satellite service: An MSAT-X Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, F.; Simon, M. K.; Sumida, J.

1985-01-01

The partical aspects of a 2400-bps differential detection minimum-shift-keying (DMSK) receiver are investigated. Fundamental issues relating to hardware precision, Doppler shift, fading, and frequency offset are examined, and it is concluded that the receiver's implementation at baseband is more advantageous both in cost and simplicity than its IF implementation. The DMSK receiver has been fabricated and tested under simulated mobile satellite environment conditions. The measured receiver performance in the presence of anomalies pertinent to the link is presented in this report. Furthermore, the receiver behavior in a band-limited channel (GMSK) is also investigated. The DMSK receiver performs substantially better than a coherent minimum-shift-keying (MSK) receiver in a heavily fading environment. The DMSK radio is simple and robust, and results in a lower error floor than its coherent counterpart. Moreover, this receiver is suitable for burst-type signals, and its recovery from deep fades is fast.

Modeling of combined capacity fade with thermal effects for a cycled LixC6-LiyMn2O4 cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vazquez-Arenas, Jorge; Fowler, Michael; Mao, Xiaofeng; Chen, Shih-ken

2012-10-01

Li-ion batteries are the most promising technology for use in electric vehicles in the near future, and as such it is critical to understand their performance at both beginning of life (BOL) and end of life (EOL). In this work different thermal and capacity fade effects (e.g. SEI formation, dissolution of LiyMn2O4 particles) are modeled to account comprehensively for the behavior of a LixC6-LiyMn2O4 cell. The comparison between baseline and complex models is systematically used to analyze individual contributions and perform a deeper evaluation of the variables affecting the capacity fade with thermal inputs during typical cycle life tests. Some modifications in the original model are proposed to better describe the behavior of the cell and speed up the calculations.

Nova V2362 Cygni (Nova Cygni 2006): Spitzer, Swift, and Ground-Based Spectral Evolution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lynch, David K.; Venturini, Catherine C.; Mazuk, S.; Woodward, Charles; Gehrz, Robert; Rayner, John; Helton, L.A.; Ness, Jan-Uwe; Starrfield, Sumner; Rudy, Richard J.;

Optimal decoding in fading channels - A combined envelope, multiple differential and coherent detection approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makrakis, Dimitrios; Mathiopoulos, P. Takis

A maximum likelihood sequential decoder for the reception of digitally modulated signals with single or multiamplitude constellations transmitted over a multiplicative, nonselective fading channel is derived. It is shown that its structure consists of a combination of envelope, multiple differential, and coherent detectors. The outputs of each of these detectors are jointly processed by means of an algorithm. This algorithm is presented in a recursive form. The derivation of the new receiver is general enough to accommodate uncoded as well as coded (e.g., trellis-coded) schemes. Performance evaluation results for a reduced-complexity trellis-coded QPSK system have demonstrated that the proposed receiver dramatically reduces the error floors caused by fading. At Eb/N0 = 20 dB the new receiver structure results in bit-error-rate reductions of more than three orders of magnitude compared to a conventional Viterbi receiver, while being reasonably simple to implement.

A meteorological potential forecast model for acid rain in Fujian Province, China.

PubMed

Cai, Yi Yong; Lin, Chang Cheng; Liu, Jing Xiong; Wu, De Hui; Lian, Dong Ying; Chen, Bin Bin

2010-05-01

Based on the acid rain and concurrent meteorological observational data during the past 10 years in Fujian Province, China, the dependence of distribution characteristics of acid rain on season, rain rate, weather pattern and dominant airflow in four regions of Fujian Province is analyzed. On the annual average, the acid rain frequency is the highest (above 40%) in the southern and mid-eastern regions, and the lowest (16.2%) in the western region. The acid rain occurs most frequently in spring and winter, and least frequent in summer. The acid rain frequency in general increases with the increase of precipitation. It also depend on the direction of dominant airflows at 850 hPa. In the mid-eastern region, more than 40% acid rains appear when the dominant wind directions are NW, W, SW, S and SE. In the southern region, high acid rain occurrence happens when the dominant wind directions are NW, W, SW and S. In the northern region, 41.8% acid rains occur when the southwesterly is pronounced. In the western region, the southwesterly is associated with a 17% acid rain rate. The examination of meteorological sounding conditions over Fuzhou, Xiamen and Shaowu cities shows that the acid rain frequency increases with increased inversion thickness. Based on the results above, a meteorological potential forecast model for acid rain is established and tested in 2007. The result is encouraging. The model provides an objective basis for the development of acid rain forecasting operation in the province.

On the nature of rainfall in dry climate: Space-time patterns of convective rain cells over the Dead Sea region and their relations with synoptic state and flash flood generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belachsen, Idit; Marra, Francesco; Peleg, Nadav; Morin, Efrat

2017-04-01

Space-time patterns of rainfall are important climatic characteristics that influence runoff generation and flash flood magnitude. Their derivation requires high-resolution measurements to adequately represent the rainfall distribution, and is best provided by remote sensing tools. This need is further emphasized in dry climate regions, where rainfall is scarce and, often, local and highly variable. Our research is focused on understanding the nature of rainfall events in the dry Dead Sea region (Eastern Mediterranean) by identifying and characterizing the spatial structure and the dynamics of convective storm cores (known as rain cells). To do so, we take advantage of 25 years of corrected and gauge-adjusted weather radar data. A statistical analysis of convective rain-cells spatial and temporal characteristics was performed with respect to synoptic pattern, geographical location, and flash flood generation. Rain cells were extracted from radar data using a cell segmentation method and a tracking algorithm and were divided into rain events. A total of 10,500 rain cells, 2650 cell tracks and 424 rain events were elicited. Rain cell properties, such as mean areal and maximal rain intensity, area, life span, direction and speed, were derived. Rain events were clustered, according to several ERA-Interim atmospheric parameters, and associated with three main synoptic patterns: Cyprus Low, Low to the East of the study region and Active Red Sea Trough. The first two originate from the Mediterranean Sea, while the third is an extension of the African monsoon. On average, the convective rain cells in the region are 90 km2 in size, moving from West to East in 13 ms-1 and living 18 minutes. Several significant differences between rain cells of the various synoptic types were observed. In particular, Active Red Sea Trough rain cells are characterized by higher rain intensities and lower speeds, suggesting a higher flooding potential for small catchments. The north-south negative gradient of mean annual rainfall in the study region was found to be negatively correlated with rain cells intensity and positively correlated with rain cells area. Additional analysis was done for convective rain cells over two nearby catchments located in the central part of the study region, by ascribing some of the rain events to observed flash-flood events. It was found that rain events associated with flash-floods have higher maximal rain cell intensity and lower minimal cell speed than rain events that did not lead to a flash-flood in the watersheds. This information contributes to our understanding of rain patterns over the dry area of the Dead Sea and their connection to flash-floods. The statistical distributions of rain cells properties can be used for high space-time resolution stochastic simulations of rain storms that can serve as an input to hydrological models.

Fun and Games: using Games and Immersive Exploration to Teach Earth and Space Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reiff, P. H.; Sumners, C.

2011-12-01

We have been using games to teach Earth and Space Science for over 15 years. Our software "TicTacToe" has been used continuously at the Houston Museum of Natural Science since 2002. It is the single piece of educational software in the "Earth Forum" suite that holds the attention of visitors the longest - averaging over 10 minutes compared to 1-2 minutes for the other software kiosks. We now have question sets covering solar system, space weather, and Earth science. In 2010 we introduced a new game technology - that of immersive interactive explorations. In our "Tikal Explorer", visitors use a game pad to navigate a three-dimensional environment of the Classic Maya city of Tikal. Teams of students climb pyramids, look for artifacts, identify plants and animals, and site astronomical alignments that predict the annual return of the rains. We also have a new 3D exploration of the International Space Station, where students can fly around and inside the ISS. These interactive explorations are very natural to the video-game generation, and promise to bring educational objectives to experiences that had previously been used strictly for gaming. If space permits, we will set up our portable Discovery Dome in the poster session for a full immersive demonstration of these game environments.

Influence of simulated acidic rain on root-infecting fungi

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shafer, S.R.

1983-01-01

Influences of the acidity of simulated rain on root-infecting fungi were investigated. Effects of rain acidity on Phytophthora cinnamomi were studied. Propagule densities in soil depended upon the acidity (pH 5.6, 4.0, 3.2, or 2.4) of simulated rain and soil depth (1, 2, 4, or 8 cm). Lowest densities occurred in 1 to 2 cm soil layers exposed to rains at pH 3.2 or 2.4. Sporangium production on radicles of Lupinus angustifolius in Lakeland sand moistened with rain solution at pH 2.4 was 47% less than production with solution at pH 5.6. A linear response to solution acidity was exhibited.more » Infection of L. angustifolius roots by zoospores demonstrated a linear response to acidity of rain. Approximately 44% fewer lesions occurred on roots of seedlings exposed to rain at pH 2.4 than on roots of seedlings exposed to rain at pH 5.6. The acidity (pH 5.6, 4.0, 3.2, or 2.4) of repeated rains had no consistent effect on disease progress among L. augustifolius seedlings planted in infested soil. The formation of ectomycorrhizae on Pinus taeda seedlings exhibited a quadratic response to acidity of repeated rains. The percentage of short roots that were ectomycorrhizal was greatest among seedlings exposed to rains at pH 2.4 and least among seedlings exposed to rains at pH 4.0. The density of Macrophomina phaseolina propagules in Lakeland sand exposed to repeated rains at pH 2.4 was an average of 20% less than densities associated with rains at pH 5.6, 4.0, or 3.2.« less

A comparison of CIE L*a*b* and spectral methods for the analysis of fading in sliced cured ham

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheridan, C.; O'Farrell, M.; Lewis, E.; Flanagan, C.; Kerry, J.; Jackman, N.

2007-06-01

In the modern retail environment, the appearance of a product is frequently the only quality indicator available to consumers. This is especially true of products such as sliced ham that have been sealed into packages to maintain product freshness. It has been shown that sliced ham products undergo discolouration from their original pink colour to a pale grey colour when exposed to a combination of oxygen and light. This is unappealing to consumers who expect a pink colour for sliced ham. An investigation is made into a sensor that would monitor the initial colour status of cured ham before packaging in order to determine the amount of time left before the ham fades to an unsatisfactory colour. For this sensor to operate, appropriate analysis of the appearance of the meat is required. Two methods for the measurement of the fading were investigated—CIE L*a*b* measurements and analysis of the spectral reflectance of the colour of the ham. Several sliced ham products with differing amounts of fading were examined using both methods. It was observed that the products used covered a wide range of variation in colour. Reproducibility of CIE L*a*b* values proved to be quite difficult and significant overlapping of the L* (lightness) and a* (redness) values measured for pink and grey coloured ham was observed. The variations in these values can be attributed to differences in the intensity of reflected light for different products. L*a*b* measurements are sensitive to light intensity and pigment concentration. Analysis of the spectral reflectance readings did not encounter these problems as the spectral response was normalized (to reduce intensity errors) before data analysis was carried out on the spectral shape or 'pattern' using principal component analysis (PCA) and artificial neural networks (ANN). A classifier based on PCA and ANN was successfully implemented that can discriminate different stages of fading for the ham slices. A case study was carried out on ham slices that had two different initial colours—light and dark. The results of the case study show that the sensor system can better discriminate between a light initial colour and a dark faded colour than the CIE L*a*b* colour measurement system.

Characteristics of rain penetration through a gravity ventilator used for natural ventilation.

PubMed

Kim, Taehyeung; Lee, Dong Ho; Ahn, Kwangseog; Ha, Hyunchul; Park, Heechang; Piao, Cheng Xu; Li, Xiaoyu; Seo, Jeoungyoon

2008-01-01

Gravity ventilators rely simply on air buoyancy to extract air and are widely used to exhaust air contaminants and heat from workplaces using minimal energy. They are designed to maximize the exhaust flow rate, but the rain penetration sometimes causes malfunctioning. In this study, the characteristics of rain penetration through a ventilator were examined as a preliminary study to develop a ventilator with the maximum exhaust capacity while minimizing rain penetration. A model ventilator was built and exposed to artificial rain and wind. The paths, intensities and amounts of penetration through the ventilator were observed and measured in qualitative and quantitative fashions. In the first phase, the pathways and intensities of rain penetration were visually observed. In the second phase, the amounts of rain penetration were quantitatively measured under the different configurations of ventilator components that were installed based on the information obtained in the first-phase experiment. The effects of wind speed, grill direction, rain drainage width, outer wall height, neck height and leaning angle of the outer wall from the vertical position were analyzed. Wind speed significantly affected rain penetration. Under the low crosswind conditions, the rain penetration intensities were under the limit of detection. Under the high crosswind conditions, grill direction and neck height were the most significant factors in reducing rain penetration. The installation of rain drainage was also important in reducing rain penetration. The experimental results suggest that, with proper configurations of its components, a gravity ventilator can be used for natural ventilation without significant rain penetration problems.

Chemically Etched Silicon Nanowires as Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

West, Hannah Elise

2015-08-01

This study focused on silicon as a high capacity replacement anode for Lithium-ion batteries. The challenge of silicon is that it expands ~270% upon lithium insertion which causes particles of silicon to fracture, causing the capacity to fade rapidly. To account for this expansion chemically etched silicon nanowires from the University of Maine were studied as anodes. They were built into electrochemical half-cells and cycled continuously to measure the capacity and capacity fade.

Global Existence of Classical Solutions to the Equations of Motion for Materials with Fading Memory.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-01

influence function , history value problems, classical solutions, global existence, decay. Work Unit Number 1 - Applied Analysis Sponsored by the United...introduce an " influence function " h, intended to JIN. characterize the rate at which memory fades, and construct an LP-type space of admissible...histories using the influence function as a weight. Here we use the term influence function to mean a positive, nonincreasing, real-valued function h e L (0

Global solutions to the equation of thermoelasticity with fading memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okada, Mari; Kawashima, Shuichi

2017-07-01

We consider the initial-history value problem for the one-dimensional equation of thermoelasticity with fading memory. It is proved that if the data are smooth and small, then a unique smooth solution exists globally in time and converges to the constant equilibrium state as time goes to infinity. Our proof is based on a technical energy method which makes use of the strict convexity of the entropy function and the properties of strongly positive definite kernels.

On Optimum Power Allocation for Multi-Antenna Wideband Helicopter-to-Ground Communications

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-01

optimum [1]. In frequency selective fading, the general approach is to use OFDM and apply these techniques on a per subcarrier basis. This work was...Contracting Office under contract W900KK-09-C-0016. Given the constraints described above, OFDM is often of limited interest in helicopter-to-ground...Naguib, and R. Calderbank, “Finite-length MIMO decision feedback equalization for space-time block-coded signals over multipath-fading channels,” IEEE

A Time-Aware Routing Map for Indoor Evacuation †

PubMed Central

Zhao, Haifeng; Winter, Stephan

2016-01-01

Knowledge of dynamic environments expires over time. Thus, using static maps of the environment for decision making is problematic, especially in emergency situations, such as evacuations. This paper suggests a fading memory model for mapping dynamic environments: a mechanism to put less trust on older knowledge in decision making. The model has been assessed by simulating indoor evacuations, adopting and comparing various strategies in decision making. Results suggest that fading memory generally improves this decision making. PMID:26797610

The Effects of, Lined Paper, Prompting, Tracing, Rewards, and Fading to Increase Handwriting Performance and Legibility with Two Preschool Special Education Students Diagnosed with Developmental Delays, and Fine Motor Deficits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Erin; McLaughlin, T. F.; Neyman, Jennifer; Rinaldi, Lisa

2013-01-01

This study was designed to examine the effects of tracing and fading prompts to improve the handwriting of two preschoolers both diagnosed as Developmentally Delayed (DD) and one of whom had fine motor goals. The study took place in a self-contained special education public preschool classroom located in the Pacific Northwest. The results showed…

Communication Channel Estimation and Waveform Design: Time Delay Estimation on Parallel, Flat Fading Channels

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

channels, so the channel gain is known on each realization and used in a coherent matched filter; and (c) Rayleigh channels with noncoherent matched...gain is known on each realization and used in a coherent matched filter (channel model 1A); and (c) Rayleigh channels with noncoherent matched filters...filters, averaged over Rayleigh channel realizations (channel model 1A). (b) Noncoherent matched filters with Rayleigh fading (channel model 3). MSEs are

Nonuniform distribution of phase noise in distributed acoustic sensing based on phase-sensitive OTDR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Zhijie; Lu, Yang; Meng, Zhou

2017-10-01

A phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (∅-OTDR) implements distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) due to its ability for high sensitivity vibration measurement. Phase information of acoustic vibration events can be acquired by interrogation of the vibration-induced phase change between coherent Rayleigh scattering light from two points of the sensing fiber. And DAS can be realized when applying phase generated carrier (PGC) algorithm to the whole sensing fiber while the sensing fiber is transformed into a series of virtual sensing channels. Minimum detectable vibration of a ∅-OTDR is limited by phase noise level. In this paper, nonuniform distribution of phase noise of virtual sensing channels in a ∅-OTDR is investigated theoretically and experimentally. Correspondence between the intensity of Rayleigh scattering light and interference fading as well as polarization fading is analyzed considering inner interference of coherent Rayleigh light scattered from a multitude of scatters within pulse duration, and intensity noise related to the intensity of Rayleigh scattering light can be converted to phase noise while measuring vibration-induced phase change. Experiments are performed and the results confirm the predictions of the theoretical analysis. This study is essential for acquiring insight into nonuniformity of phase noise in DAS based on a ∅-OTDR, and would put forward some feasible methods to eliminate the effect of interference fading and polarization fading and optimize the minimum detectable vibration of a ∅-OTDR.

Thermoluminescence characteristics of a chondrite (Holbrook) and an aubrite achondrite (Norton County) meteorites.

PubMed

Bossin, Lily; Kazakis, Nikolaos A; Kitis, George; Tsirliganis, Nestor C

2017-09-01

The present study constitutes the first part of a meteorite project, currently in progress, towards the full and thorough dosimetric study (TL and OSL) of two different meteorites of recent fall, Norton County and Holbrook. Both meteorites exhibit strong TL sensitivity, linear dose response and no saturation for doses up to 2kGy. However, the two meteorites exhibited a very dissimilar TL glow curve and behaviour regarding sensitization and fading. Notably, the Norton County aubrite achondrite was found to exhibit a strong fading of the high-temperature peak (~300°C), attributed to anomalous fading, whereas Holbrook did not seem to show signs of anomalous fading. Since quantitative conclusions regarding the thermal and irradiation history of meteorites, require knowledge of the detailed peak structure of the glow curve and deeper understanding of the trapping mechanism, the glow curves, after irradiation in the range 10-2000Gy, were deconvoluted using general order kinetics. The fitting parameters extracted point towards complex non-strictly first order mechanisms with a multitude of traps acting very differently. All the above, combined with future OSL measurements, currently in progress, are expected to shed light on the nature of the involved traps in both phenomena (energy depth, light-resistance etc), which would allow to extract more concrete conclusions about their history. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Capacity Fading Mechanism of the Commercial 18650 LiFePO4-Based Lithium-Ion Batteries: An in Situ Time-Resolved High-Energy Synchrotron XRD Study.

PubMed

Liu, Qi; Liu, Yadong; Yang, Fan; He, Hao; Xiao, Xianghui; Ren, Yang; Lu, Wenquan; Stach, Eric; Xie, Jian

2018-02-07

In situ high-energy synchrotron XRD studies were carried out on commercial 18650 LiFePO 4 cells at different cycles to track and investigate the dynamic, chemical, and structural changes in the course of long-term cycling to elucidate the capacity fading mechanism. The results indicate that the crystalline structural deterioration of the LiFePO 4 cathode and the graphite anode is unlikely to happen before capacity fades below 80% of the initial capacity. Rather, the loss of the active lithium source is the primary cause for the capacity fade, which leads to the appearance of inactive FePO 4 that is proportional to the absence of the lithium source. Our in situ HESXRD studies further show that the lithium-ion insertion and deinsertion behavior of LiFePO 4 continuously changed with cycling. For a fresh cell, the LiFePO 4 experienced a dual-phase solid-solution behavior, whereas with increasing cycle numbers, the dynamic change, which is characteristic of the continuous decay of solid solution behavior, is obvious. The unpredicted dynamic change may result from the morphology evolution of LiFePO 4 particles and the loss of the lithium source, which may be the cause of the decreased rate capability of LiFePO 4 cells after long-term cycling.

40 CFR 72.31 - Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 17 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Information requirements for Acid Rain... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Permit Applications § 72.31 Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications. A complete Acid Rain permit application shall include the...

40 CFR 72.31 - Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 17 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Information requirements for Acid Rain... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Permit Applications § 72.31 Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications. A complete Acid Rain permit application shall include the...

40 CFR 72.31 - Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 16 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Information requirements for Acid Rain... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Permit Applications § 72.31 Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications. A complete Acid Rain permit application shall include the...

40 CFR 72.31 - Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 16 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Information requirements for Acid Rain... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Permit Applications § 72.31 Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications. A complete Acid Rain permit application shall include the...

40 CFR 72.31 - Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 17 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Information requirements for Acid Rain... (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Acid Rain Permit Applications § 72.31 Information requirements for Acid Rain permit applications. A complete Acid Rain permit application shall include the...

Effects of simulated rain acidified with sulfuric acid on host-parasite interactions

Treesearch

D. S. Shriner

1976-01-01

Wind-blown rain, rain splash, and films of free moisture play important roles in the epidemiology of many plant diseases. The effects of simulated rain acidified with sulfuric acid were studied on several host-parasite systems. Plants were exposed, in greenhouse or field, to simulated rain of pH 3.2 ? 0.1 or pH 6.0 ? 0.2. Simulated "rain" of pH 3.2 resulted...

Inter-comparison of automatic rain gauges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nystuen, Jeffrey A.

1994-01-01

The Ocean Acoustics Division (OAD) of the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), in cooperation with NOAA/NESDIS and NASA, has deployed six rain gauges for calibration and intercomparison purposes. These instruments include: (1) a weighing rain gauge, (2) a RM Young Model 50202 capacitance rain gauge, (3) a ScTI ORG-705 (long path) optical rain gauge, (4) a ScTI ORG-105 (mini-ORG) optical rain gauge, (5) a Belfort Model 382 tipping bucket rain gauge, and (6) a Distromet RD-69 disdrometer. The system has been running continuously since July 1993. During this time period, roughly 150 events with maximum rainfall rate over 10 mm/hr and 25 events with maximum rainfall rates over 100 mm/hr have been recorded. All rain gauge types have performed well, with intercorrelations 0.9 or higher. However, limitations for each type of rain gauge have been observed.

[Characteristics and the impact factors of acid rain in Fuzhou and Xiamen 1992-2012].

PubMed

Zheng, Qiu-Ping; Wang, Hong; Chen, Bin-Bin; Sui, Ping; Lin, Wen

2014-10-01

Based on the observed acid rain data, synoptic situations and mass concentrations of atmospheric pollutants data from 1992 to 2012, the temporal variation characteristics and the impact factors of acid rain were analyzed in Fuzhou and Xiamen. The results showed that acid rain and non-acid rain accounted for 38.1% and 61.9% respectively in Fuzhou, 40.6% and 59.4% respectively in Xiamen. The annual average pH was 4.1-5.5 in Fuzhou. Acid rain pollution alleviated after 2007 in Fuzhou, and alleviated after 2006 in Xiamen. Acid rain was more serious in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. Precipitation intensity could affect the acidity of rain. Acid rain was observed more serious in southeast, southwest, west and northwest wind in Fuzhou, and more serious in northeast, southwest, west and northwest wind in Xiamen. Acid rain was most severe under the condition of transformed surface cold high, while most light under the conditions of typhoon (intertropical convergence zone) and outside of typhoon (intertropical convergence zone). There was a negative correlation between the mass concentrations of atmospheric pollutants, such as SO2, NO2, PM10, and the pH of rain in Fuzhou.

Comparing the impact of time displaced and biased precipitation estimates for online updated urban runoff models.

PubMed

Borup, Morten; Grum, Morten; Mikkelsen, Peter Steen

2013-01-01

When an online runoff model is updated from system measurements, the requirements of the precipitation input change. Using rain gauge data as precipitation input there will be a displacement between the time when the rain hits the gauge and the time where the rain hits the actual catchment, due to the time it takes for the rain cell to travel from the rain gauge to the catchment. Since this time displacement is not present for system measurements the data assimilation scheme might already have updated the model to include the impact from the particular rain cell when the rain data is forced upon the model, which therefore will end up including the same rain twice in the model run. This paper compares forecast accuracy of updated models when using time displaced rain input to that of rain input with constant biases. This is done using a simple time-area model and historic rain series that are either displaced in time or affected with a bias. The results show that for a 10 minute forecast, time displacements of 5 and 10 minutes compare to biases of 60 and 100%, respectively, independent of the catchments time of concentration.

A comparative assessment of R. M. Young and tipping bucket rain gauges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldhirsh, Julius; Gebo, Norman E.

1992-01-01

Rain rates as derived from standard tipping bucket rain gauges have variable integration times corresponding to the interval between bucket tips. For example, the integration time for the Weathertronics rain gauge is given by delta(T) = 15.24/R (min), where R is the rain rate expressed in mm/h and delta(T) is the time between tips expressed in minutes. It is apparent that a rain rate of 1 mm/h has an integration time in excess of 15 minutes. Rain rates larger than 15.24 mm/h will have integration times smaller than 1 minute. The integration time is dictated by the time it takes to fill a small tipping bucket where each tip gives rise to 0.254 mm of rainfall. Hence, a uniform rain rate of 1 mm/h over a 15 minute period will give rise to the same rain rate as 0 mm/h rainfall over the first 14 minutes and 15 mm/h between 14 to 15 minutes from the reference tip. Hence, the rain intensity fluctuations may not be captured with the tipping bucket rain gauge for highly variable rates encompassing lower and higher values over a given integration time. The objective of this effort is to provide an assessment of the features of the R. M. Young capacitive gauge and to compare these features with those of the standard tipping bucket rain gauge. A number of rain rate-time series derived from measurements with approximately co-located gauges are examined.

Commercialization of Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plecity, Mark S.; Strickler, Walter M.; Bauer, Robert A.

1996-03-01

In an on-going effort to maintain United States leadership in communication satellite technology, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), led the development of the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). NASA's ACTS program provides industry, academia, and government agencies the opportunity to perform both technology and telecommunication service experiments with a leading-edge communication satellite system. Over 80 organizations are using ACTS as a multi server test bed to establish communication technologies and services of the future. ACTS was designed to provide demand assigned multiple access (DAMA) digital communications with a minimum switchable circuit bandwidth of 64 Kbps, and a maximum channel bandwidth of 900 MHZ. It can, therefore, provide service to thin routes as well as connect fiber backbones in supercomputer networks, across oceans, or restore full communications in the event of national or manmade disaster. Service can also be provided to terrestrial and airborne mobile users. Commercial applications of ACTS technologies include: telemedicine; distance education; Department of Defense operations; mobile communications, aeronautical applications, terrestrial applications, and disaster recovery. This paper briefly describes the ACTS system and the enabling technologies employed by ACTS including Ka-band hopping spot beams, on-board routing and switching, and rain fade compensation. When used in conjunction with a time division multiple access (TDMA) architecture, these technologies provide a higher capacity, lower cost satellite system. Furthermore, examples of completed user experiments, future experiments, and plans of organizations to commercialize ACTS technology in their own future offerings will be discussed.

Rain pH estimation based on the particulate matter pollutants and wet deposition study.

PubMed

Singh, Shweta; Elumalai, Suresh Pandian; Pal, Asim Kumar

2016-09-01

In forecasting of rain pH, the changes caused by particulate matter (PM) are generally neglected. In regions of high PM concentration like Dhanbad, the role of PM in deciding the rain pH becomes important. Present work takes into account theoretical prediction of rain pH by two methods. First method considers only acid causing gases (ACG) like CO2, SO2 and NOx in pH estimation, whereas, second method additionally accounts for effect of PM (ACG-PM). In order to predict the rain pH, site specific deposited dust that represents local PM was studied experimentally for its impact on pH of neutral water. After incorporation of PM correction factor, it was found that, rain pH values estimated were more representative of the observed ones. Fractional bias (FB) for the ACG-PM method reduced to values of the order of 10(-2) from those with order of 10(-1) for the ACG method. The study confirms neutralization of rain acidity by PM. On account of this, rain pH was found in the slightly acidic to near neutral range, despite of the high sulfate flux found in rain water. Although, the safer range of rain pH blurs the severity of acid rain from the picture, yet huge flux of acidic and other ions get transferred to water bodies, soil and ultimately to the ground water system. Simple use of rain pH for rain water quality fails to address the issues of its increased ionic composition due to the interfering pollutants and thus undermines severity of pollutants transferred from air to rain water and then to water bodies and soil. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A vision-based tool for the control of hydraulic structures in sewer systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, L.; Sage, D.; Kayal, S.; Jeanbourquin, D.; Rossi, L.

2009-04-01

During rain events, the total amount of the wastewater/storm-water mixture cannot be treated in the wastewater treatment plant; the overflowed water goes directly into the environment (lakes, rivers, streams) via devices called combined sewers overflows (CSOs). This water is untreated and is recognized as an important source of pollution. In most cases, the quantity of overflowed water is unknown due to high hydraulic turbulences during rain events; this quantity is often significant. For this reason, the monitoring of the water flow and the water level is of crucial environmental importance. Robust monitoring of sewer systems is a challenging task to achieve. Indeed, the environment inside sewers systems is inherently harsh and hostile: constant humidity of 100%, fast and large water level changes, corrosive atmosphere, presence of gas, difficult access, solid debris inside the flow. A flow monitoring based on traditional probes placed inside the water (such as Doppler flow meter) is difficult to conduct because of the solid material transported by the flow. Probes placed outside the flow such as ultrasonic water level probes are often used; however the measurement is generally done on only one particular point. Experience has shown that the water level in CSOs during rain events is far from being constant due to hydraulic turbulences. Thus, such probes output uncertain information. Moreover, a check of the data reliability is impossible to achieve. The HydroPix system proposes a novel approach to the monitoring of sewers based on video images, without contact with the water flow. The goal of this system is to provide a monitoring tool for wastewater system managers (end-users). The hardware was chosen in order to suit the harsh conditions of sewers system: Cameras are 100% waterproof and corrosion-resistant; Infra-red LED illumination systems are used (waterproof, low power consumption); A waterproof case contains the registration and communication system. The monitoring software has the following requirements: visual analysis of particular hydraulic behavior, automatic vision-based flow measurements, automatic alarm system for particular events (overflows, risk of flooding, etc), database for data management (images, events, measurements, etc.), ability to be controlled remotely. The software is implemented in modular server/client architecture under LabVIEW development system. We have conducted conclusive in situ tests in various sewers configurations (CSOs, storm-water sewerage, WWTP); they have shown the ability of the HydroPix to perform accurate monitoring of hydraulic structures. Visual information demonstrated a better understanding of the flow behavior in complex and difficult environment.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Hygrothermal Performance of a Double-Stud Cellulose Wall

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2015-06-01

Moisture problems within the building shell can be caused by a number of factors including excess interior moisture that is transported into the wall through air leakage and vapor drive, bulk water intrusion from leaks and wind-driven rain, capillary action from concrete to wood connections, and through wetted building materials such as siding wetted from rain splash back. With the increasing thickness of walls, moisture issues could increase. Several builders have successfully used “double-wall” systems to more practically achieve higher R-values in thicker framed walls. A double wall typically consists of a load-bearing external frame wall constructed with 2 ×more » 4 framing at 16 in. on center using conventional methods. After the building is enclosed, an additional frame wall is constructed several inches inside the load-bearing wall. Several researchers have used moisture modeling software to conduct extensive analysis of these assemblies; however, little field research has been conducted to validate the results. In this project, the Building America research team Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings monitored a double-stud assembly in climate zone 5A to determine the accu¬racy of moisture modeling and make recommendations to ensure durable and efficient assemblies.« less

Development of a Tool for Siting Low Impact Development in Urban Watersheds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin-Mikle, C.; de Beurs, K.; Julian, J.

2013-12-01

Low impact development (LID) -- a comprehensive land use planning and design approach with the goal of mitigating development impacts on hydrologic/nutrient cycles and ecosystems -- is increasingly being touted as an effective approach to lessen overland runoff and pollutant loadings. Examples of LIDs include riparian buffers, grassed swales, detention/retention ponds, rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels. Broad-scale decision support tools for siting LIDs have been developed for agricultural watersheds, but are rare for urban watersheds, largely due to greater land use complexity and lack of necessary high-resolution geospatial data. Here, we develop a framework to assist city planners and water quality managers in siting LIDs in urban watersheds. One key component of this research is a framework accessible to those interested in using it. Hence, development of the framework has centered around 1) determining optimal data requirements for siting LID in an urban watershed and 2) developing a tool compatible with both open-source and commercial GIS software. We employ a wide variety of landscape metrics to evaluate the tool. A case study of the Lake Thunderbird Watershed, an urbanized watershed southeast of Oklahoma City, illustrates the effectiveness of a tool that is capable of siting LID in an urban watershed.

40 CFR 72.69 - Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Federal Acid Rain Permit Issuance Procedures § 72.69 Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits. (a) After the close of the public comment period, the Administrator will issue or deny an Acid Rain permit. The Administrator will serve a copy of any Acid Rain...

40 CFR 72.69 - Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Federal Acid Rain Permit Issuance Procedures § 72.69 Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits. (a) After the close of the public comment period, the Administrator will issue or deny an Acid Rain permit. The Administrator will serve a copy of any Acid Rain...

40 CFR 72.69 - Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Federal Acid Rain Permit Issuance Procedures § 72.69 Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits. (a) After the close of the public comment period, the Administrator will issue or deny an Acid Rain permit. The Administrator will serve a copy of any Acid Rain...

40 CFR 72.69 - Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Federal Acid Rain Permit Issuance Procedures § 72.69 Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits. (a) After the close of the public comment period, the Administrator will issue or deny an Acid Rain permit. The Administrator will serve a copy of any Acid Rain...

40 CFR 72.69 - Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) PERMITS REGULATION Federal Acid Rain Permit Issuance Procedures § 72.69 Issuance and effective date of acid rain permits. (a) After the close of the public comment period, the Administrator will issue or deny an Acid Rain permit. The Administrator will serve a copy of any Acid Rain...

Comparison of Imerg Half Hourly Final GPM data with Rain Gauge for Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tekeli, E.; Dönmez, S.

2016-12-01

Being launched in 1997 with the main goal of measuring moderate to heavy rainfall, TRMM enabled invaluable service to remote sensing and hydrology community with data more than 17 years. Based on TRMM experience, GPM was launched in 2014. GPM with increased radar sensitivity and higher spatial resolutions, is expected to enable better light rain and snowfall detection. In here, light rainfall detection capacity of IMERG Half hourly final GPM (IFHH) product is investigated for Riyadh City in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A tipping bucket rain gauge located on the roof of King Saud University Civil Engineering Department provided rainfall measurements in 10 minute intervals from 22 November 2014 till 11 Jun 2015. Obtained rain gauge data indicated 72 light rain (rain rate [rr] ≤2.5mm/h) 5 medium rain (2.5mm/hPreliminary results indicate that IFHH overestimate most of the light rain. For the medium and heavy rain rates, IFHH showed under estimations. As one of the major goals of GPM is accurate light rain detection, similar studies should be continued and databases should be formed.

A Robust, Microwave Rain Gauge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mansheim, T. J.; Niemeier, J. J.; Kruger, A.

2008-12-01

Researchers at The University of Iowa have developed an all-electronic rain gauge that uses microwave sensors operating at either 10 GHz or 23 GHz, and measures the Doppler shift caused by falling raindrops. It is straightforward to interface these sensors with conventional data loggers, or integrate them into a wireless sensor network. A disadvantage of these microwave rain gauges is that they consume significant power when they are operating. However, this may be partially negated by using data loggers' or sensors networks' sleep-wake-sleep mechanism. Advantages of the microwave rain gauges are that one can make them very robust, they cannot clog, they don't have mechanical parts that wear out, and they don't have to be perfectly level. Prototype microwave rain gauges were collocated with tipping-bucket rain gauges, and data were collected for two seasons. At higher rain rates, microwave rain gauge measurements compare well with tipping-bucket measurements. At lower rain rates, the microwave rain gauges provide more detailed information than tipping buckets, which quantize measurement typically in 1 tip per 0.01 inch, or 1 tip per mm of rainfall.

Acute desensitization of acetylcholine and endothelin-1 activated inward rectifier K+ current in myocytes from the cardiac atrioventricular node.

PubMed

Choisy, Stéphanie C M; James, Andrew F; Hancox, Jules C

2012-07-06

The atrioventricular node (AVN) is a vital component of the pacemaker-conduction system of the heart, co-ordinating conduction of electrical excitation from cardiac atria to ventricles and acting as a secondary pacemaker. The electrical behaviour of the AVN is modulated by vagal activity via activation of muscarinic potassium current, IKACh. However, it is not yet known if this response exhibits 'fade' or desensitization in the AVN, as established for the heart's primary pacemaker--the sinoatrial node. In this study, acute activation of IKACh in rabbit single AVN cells was investigated using whole-cell patch clamp at 37 °C. 0.1-1 μM acetylcholine (ACh) rapidly activated a robust IKACh in AVN myocytes during a descending voltage-ramp protocol. This response was inhibited by tertiapin-Q (TQ; 300 nM) and by the M2 muscarinic ACh receptor antagonist AFDX-116 (1 μM). During sustained ACh exposure the elicited IKACh exhibited bi-exponential fade (τf of 2.0 s and τs 76.9 s at -120 mV; 1 μM ACh). 10 nM ET-1 elicited a current similar to IKACh, which faded with a mono-exponential time-course (τ of 52.6 s at -120 mV). When ET-1 was applied following ACh, the ET-1 activated response was greatly attenuated, demonstrating that ACh could desensitize the response to ET-1. For neither ACh nor ET-1 was the rate of current fade dependent upon the initial response magnitude, which is inconsistent with K+ flux mediated changes in electrochemical driving force as the underlying mechanism. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that TQ sensitive inwardly rectifying K+ current in cardiac AVN cells, elicited by M2 muscarinic receptor or ET-1 receptor activation, exhibits fade due to rapid desensitization. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Fast Debris Evolution Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Hugh G.; Swinerd, Graham; Newland, Rebecca; Saunders, Arrun

The ‘Particles-in-a-box' (PIB) model introduced by Talent (1992) removed the need for computerintensive Monte Carlo simulation to predict the gross characteristics of an evolving debris environment. The PIB model was described using a differential equation that allows the stability of the low Earth orbit (LEO) environment to be tested by a straightforward analysis of the equation's coefficients. As part of an ongoing research effort to investigate more efficient approaches to evolutionary modelling and to develop a suite of educational tools, a new PIB model has been developed. The model, entitled Fast Debris Evolution (FaDE), employs a first-order differential equation to describe the rate at which new objects (˜ 10 cm) are added and removed from the environment. Whilst Talent (1992) based the collision theory for the PIB approach on collisions between gas particles and adopted specific values for the parameters of the model from a number of references, the form and coefficients of the FaDE model equations can be inferred from the outputs of future projections produced by high-fidelity models, such as the DAMAGE model. The FaDE model has been implemented as a client-side, web-based service using Javascript embedded within a HTML document. Due to the simple nature of the algorithm, FaDE can deliver the results of future projections immediately in a graphical format, with complete user-control over key simulation parameters. Historical and future projections for the ˜ 10 cm low Earth orbit (LEO) debris environment under a variety of different scenarios are possible, including business as usual, no future launches, post-mission disposal and remediation. A selection of results is presented with comparisons with predictions made using the DAMAGE environment model. The results demonstrate that the FaDE model is able to capture comparable time-series of collisions and number of objects as predicted by DAMAGE in several scenarios. Further, and perhaps more importantly, its speed and flexibility allows the user to explore and understand the evolution of the space debris environment.

Commissioning optically stimulated luminescence in vivo dosimeters for fast neutron therapy.

PubMed

Young, Lori A; Yang, Fei; Woodworth, Davis; McCormick, Zephyr; Sandison, George

2016-01-01

Clinical in vivo dosimeters intended for use with photon and electron therapies have not been utilized for fast neutron therapy because they are highly susceptible to neutron damage. The objective of this work was to determine if a commercial optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) in vivo dosimetry system could be adapted for use in fast neutron therapy. A 50.5 MeV fast neutron beam generated by a clinical neutron therapy cyclotron was used to irradiate carbon doped aluminum oxide (Al2O3:C) optically simulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) in a solid water phantom under standard calibration conditions, 150 cm SAD, 1.7 cm depth, and 10.3 × 10.0 cm field size. OSLD fading and electron trap depletion studies were performed with the OSLDs irradiated with 20 and 50 cGy and monitored over a 24-h period to determine the optimal time for reading the dosimeters during calibration. Four OSLDs per group were calibrated over a clinical dose range of 0-150 cGy. OSLD measurement uncertainties were lowered to within ±2%-3% of the expected dose by minimizing the effect of transient fading that occurs with neutron irradiation and maintaining individual calibration factors for each dosimeter. Dose dependent luminescence fading extended beyond the manufacturer's recommended 10 min period for irradiation with photon or electron beams. To minimize OSL variances caused by inconsistent fading among dosimeters, the observed optimal time for reading the OSLDs postirradiation was between 30 and 90 min. No field size, wedge factor, or gantry angle dependencies were observed in the OSLDs irradiated by the studied fast neutron beam. Measurements demonstrated that uncertainties less than ±3% were attainable in OSLDs irradiated with fast neutrons under clinical conditions. Accuracy and precision comparable to clinical OSL measurements observed with photons can be achieved by maintaining individual OSLD calibration factors and minimizing transient fading effects.

Commissioning optically stimulated luminescence in vivo dosimeters for fast neutron therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Young, Lori A., E-mail: layoung@uw.edu; Sandison, George; Yang, Fei

Purpose: Clinical in vivo dosimeters intended for use with photon and electron therapies have not been utilized for fast neutron therapy because they are highly susceptible to neutron damage. The objective of this work was to determine if a commercial optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) in vivo dosimetry system could be adapted for use in fast neutron therapy. Methods: A 50.5 MeV fast neutron beam generated by a clinical neutron therapy cyclotron was used to irradiate carbon doped aluminum oxide (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}:C) optically simulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) in a solid water phantom under standard calibration conditions, 150 cm SAD, 1.7more » cm depth, and 10.3 × 10.0 cm field size. OSLD fading and electron trap depletion studies were performed with the OSLDs irradiated with 20 and 50 cGy and monitored over a 24-h period to determine the optimal time for reading the dosimeters during calibration. Four OSLDs per group were calibrated over a clinical dose range of 0–150 cGy. Results: OSLD measurement uncertainties were lowered to within ±2%–3% of the expected dose by minimizing the effect of transient fading that occurs with neutron irradiation and maintaining individual calibration factors for each dosimeter. Dose dependent luminescence fading extended beyond the manufacturer’s recommended 10 min period for irradiation with photon or electron beams. To minimize OSL variances caused by inconsistent fading among dosimeters, the observed optimal time for reading the OSLDs postirradiation was between 30 and 90 min. No field size, wedge factor, or gantry angle dependencies were observed in the OSLDs irradiated by the studied fast neutron beam. Conclusions: Measurements demonstrated that uncertainties less than ±3% were attainable in OSLDs irradiated with fast neutrons under clinical conditions. Accuracy and precision comparable to clinical OSL measurements observed with photons can be achieved by maintaining individual OSLD calibration factors and minimizing transient fading effects.« less

Millimeter wave propagation modeling of inhomogeneous rain media for satellite communications systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Persinger, R. R.; Stutzman, W. L.

1978-01-01

A theoretical propagation model that represents the scattering properties of an inhomogeneous rain often found on a satellite communications link is presented. The model includes the scattering effects of an arbitrary distribution of particle type (rain or ice), particle shape, particle size, and particle orientation within a given rain cell. An associated rain propagation prediction program predicts attenuation, isolation and phase shift as a function of ground rain rate. A frequency independent synthetic storm algorithm is presented that models nonuniform rain rates present on a satellite link. Antenna effects are included along with a discussion of rain reciprocity. The model is verified using the latest available multiple frequency data from the CTS and COMSTAR satellites. The data covers a wide range of frequencies, elevation angles, and ground site locations.

Evaluation of Turf-Grass and Prairie-Vegetated Rain Gardens in a Clay and Sand Soil, Madison, Wisconsin, Water Years 2004-08

USGS Publications Warehouse

Selbig, William R.; Balster, Nicholas

2010-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with a consortium of 19 cities, towns, and villages in Dane County, Wis., undertook a study to compare the capability of rain gardens with different vegetative species and soil types to infiltrate stormwater runoff from the roof of an adjacent structure. Two rain gardens, one planted with turf grass and the other with native prairie species, were constructed side-by-side in 2003 at two locations with different dominant soil types, either sand or clay. Each rain garden was sized to a ratio of approximately 5:1 contributing area to receiving area and to a depth of 0.5 foot. Each rain garden, regardless of vegetation or soil type, was capable of storing and infiltrating most of the runoff over the 5-year study period. Both rain gardens in sand, as well as the prairie rain garden in clay, retained and infiltrated 100 percent of all precipitation and snowmelt events during water years 2004-07. The turf rain garden in clay occasionally had runoff exceed its confining boundaries, but was still able to retain 96 percent of all precipitation and snowmelt events during the same time period. Precipitation intensity and number of antecedent dry days were important variables that influenced when the storage capacity of underlying soils would become saturated, which resulted in pooled water in the rain gardens. Because the rooftop area that drained runoff to each rain garden was approximately five times larger than the area of the rain garden itself, evapotranspiration was a small percentage of the annual water budget. For example, during water year 2005, the maximum evapotranspiration of total influent volume ranged from 21 percent for the turf rain garden in clay to 25 percent for the turf rain garden in sand, and the minimum ranged from 12 percent for the prairie rain garden in clay to 19 percent for the prairie rain garden in sand. Little to no runoff left each rain garden as effluent and a small percentage of runoff returned to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration; therefore, the remainder was considered recharge. During water year 2005, recharge was 81 to 75 percent of total influent volume for the prairie- and turf-rain gardens in sand and 87 to 78 percent for the prairie- and turf-rain gardens in clay, respectively. Maximum recharge volumes ranged from 90 to 94 percent of the total influent volume in the turf and prairie rain gardens in sand and occurred during water year 2004. Maximum recharge in the turf and prairie rain gardens in clay ranged from 89 percent during water year 2007 to 98 percent during water year 2004. Median infiltration rates were an order of magnitude greater for rain gardens planted in sand than for those in clay, regardless of vegetation type. Under similar soil conditions, rain gardens planted with turf grass had lower median infiltration rates than those planted with prairie species. Median infiltration rates were 0.28 and 0.88 inches per hour in the turf and prairie rain gardens in clay, respectively, and 2.5 and 4.2 inches per hour in the turf and prairie rain gardens in sand, respectively. In general, infiltration rates were greater during spring (April and May) and summer (June through August) months. Of the six observed exceedences of the storage capacity of the turf rain garden in clay between April-November during 2004-07, five were predicted by use of a combination of the normalized surface storage volume, the median infiltration rate, and an estimate of specific yield for soils under the rain garden to a depth equal to the uppermost limiting layer. By use of the same criteria, in water year 2008, when the contributing drainage area to the prairie rain garden in clay was doubled, all four observed exceedences of the total storage capacity were predicted. The accuracy of the predictions of when the total storage capacity of the rain gardens would be exceeded indicates that by applying measurements of the appropriate soil properties to rain g

Direct effect of acid rain on leaf chlorophyll content of terrestrial plants in China.

PubMed

Du, Enzai; Dong, Dan; Zeng, Xuetong; Sun, Zhengzhong; Jiang, Xiaofei; de Vries, Wim

2017-12-15

Anthropogenic emissions of acid precursors in China have resulted in widespread acid rain since the 1980s. Although efforts have been made to assess the indirect, soil mediated ecological effects of acid rain, a systematic assessment of the direct foliage injury by acid rain across terrestrial plants is lacking. Leaf chlorophyll content is an important indicator of direct foliage damage and strongly related to plant productivity. We synthesized data from published literature on experiments of simulated acid rain, by directly exposing plants to acid solutions with varying pH levels, to assess the direct effect of acid rain on leaf chlorophyll content across 67 terrestrial plants in China. Our results indicate that acid rain substantially reduces leaf chlorophyll content by 6.71% per pH unit across the recorded plant species. The direct reduction of leaf chlorophyll content due to acid rain exposure showed no significant difference across calcicole, ubiquist or calcifuge species, implying that soil acidity preference does not influence the sensitivity to leaf injury by acid rain. On average, the direct effects of acid rain on leaf chlorophyll on trees, shrubs and herbs were comparable. The effects, however varied across functional groups and economic use types. Specifically, leaf chlorophyll content of deciduous species was more sensitive to acid rain in comparison to evergreen species. Moreover, vegetables and fruit trees were more sensitive to acid rain than other economically used plants. Our findings imply a potential production reduction and economic loss due to the direct foliage damage by acid rain. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparisons of Rain Estimates from Ground Radar and Satellite Over Mountainous Regions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Xin; Kidd, Chris; Tao, Jing; Barros, Ana

2016-01-01

A high-resolution rainfall product merging surface radar and an enhanced gauge network is used as a reference to examine two operational surface radar rainfall products over mountain areas. The two operational rainfall products include radar-only and conventional-gauge-corrected radar rainfall products. Statistics of rain occurrence and rain amount including their geographical, seasonal, and diurnal variations are examined using 3-year data. It is found that the three surface radar rainfall products in general agree well with one another over mountainous regions in terms of horizontal mean distributions of rain occurrence and rain amount. Frequency of rain occurrence and fraction of rain amount also indicate similar distribution patterns as a function of rain intensity. The diurnal signals of precipitation over mountain ridges are well captured and joint distributions of coincident raining samples indicate reasonable correlations during both summer and winter. Factors including undetected low-level precipitation, limited availability of gauges for correcting the Z-R relationship over the mountains, and radar beam blocking by mountains are clearly noticed in the two conventional radar rainfall products. Both radar-only and conventional-gauge-corrected radar rainfall products underestimate the rain occurrence and fraction of rain amount at intermediate and heavy rain intensities. Comparison of PR and TMI against a surface radar-only rainfall product indicates that the PR performs equally well with the high-resolution radar-only rainfall product over complex terrains at intermediate and heavy rain intensities during the summer and winter. TMI, on the other hand, requires improvement to retrieve wintertime precipitation over mountain areas.

Scattering by Artificial Wind and Rain Roughened Water Surfaces at Oblique Incidences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Craeye, C.; Sobieski, P. W.; Bliven, L. F.

1997-01-01

Rain affects wind retrievals from scatterometric measurements of the sea surface. To depict the additional roughness caused by rain on a wind driven surface, we use a ring-wave spectral model. This enables us to analyse the rain effect on K(u) band scatterometric observations from two laboratory experiments. Calculations based on the small perturbation method provide good simulation of scattering measurements for the rain-only case, whereas for combined wind and rain cases, the boundary perturbation method is appropriate.

Influence of simulated acidic rain on bacterial speck of tomato. [Lycopersicon esculentum Mill var. 'Chico III', Pseudomonas tomato

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bisessar, S.; Palmer, K.T.; Kuja, A.L.

Ambient rain in southern Ontario has a volume-weighted average pH of approximately 4.2. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill var. 'Chico III') seedlings were exposed to simulated acidic rain in specially designed chambers. The inoculum of Pseudomonas tomato (Okabe) Alstatt, causal agent of bacterial speck, was sprayed on plants before or after exposure to acidic rain of pH 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5, as well as on plants not exposed to the simulated acidic rain. Speck symptoms (small, dark, brown spots with yellow halos) were found on all inoculated plants. Exposure of plants to simulted acidic rain inhibited speck development, but the inhibitionmore » was greater on plants exposed to acidic rain after inoculation. Spot necrosis, a typical response to acid rain, occurred on up to 15 to 20% of the leaf area on all tomato plants treated with acidic rain at pH 2.5. Plants alos showed a decrease in growth (height and fresh and dry weights) with an increase in rain acidity. Leaves injured by simulated acidic rain and examined histopathologically displayed cellular malformations including hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Pseudomonas tomato failed to grow on acidified King B medium or Difco nutrient broth adjusted to pH 3.5 or lower.« less

Rainfall estimation over oceans from scanning multichannel microwave radiometer and special sensor microwave/imager microwave data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Dalu, G.; Liberti, G. L.; Nucciarone, J. J.; Suhasini, R.

1991-01-01

The brightness temperature (T sub b) measured at 37 GHz shows fairly strong emission from rain, and only slight effects caused by scattering by ice above the rain clouds. At frequencies below 37 GHz, were the fov is larger and the volume extinction coefficient is weaker, it is found that the observations do not yield appreciable additional information about rain. At 85 GHz (fov = 15 km), where the volume extinction is considerably larger, direct information about rain below the clouds is usually masked. Based on the above ideas, 37 GHz observations with a 30 km fov from SMMR and SSM/I are selected to develop an empirical method for the estimation of rain rate. In this method, the statistics of the observed T sub b's at 37 GHz in a rain storm are related to the rain rate statistics in that storm. The underestimation of rain rate, arising from the inability of the radiometer to respond sensitively to rain rate above a given threshold, is rectified in this technique with the aid of two parameters that depend on the total water vapor content in the atmosphere. The retrieved rain rates compare favorably with radar observations and monthly mean global maps of rain derived from this technique over the oceans.

Rainfall estimation over oceans from SMMR and SSM/I microwave data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Dalu, G.; Liberti, G. L.; Nucciarone, J. J.; Suhasini, R.

1992-01-01

The brightness temperature (T sub b) measured at 37 GHz shows fairly strong emission from rain, and only slight effects caused by scattering by ice above the rain clouds. At frequencies below 37 GHz, where the FOV is larger and the volume extinction coefficient is weaker, it is found that the observations do not yield appreciable additional information about rain. At 85 GHz (FOV = 15 km), where the volume extinction is considerably larger, direct information about rain below the clouds is usually masked. Based on the above idea, 37 GHz observations with a 30 km FOV from SMMR and SSM/I are selected to develop an empirical method for the estimation of rain rate. In this method, the statistics of the observed T sub b's at 37 GHz in a rain storm are related to the rain rate statistics in that storm. The underestimation of rain rate, arising from the inability of the radiometer to respond sensitively to rain rate above a given threshold is rectified in this technique with the aid of two parameters that depend on the total water vapor content in the atmosphere. The retrieved rain rates compare favorably with radar observations and monthly mean global maps of rain derived from this technique over the oceans.

Estimating Ergodic Capacity of Cooperative Analog Relaying under Different Adaptive Source Transmission Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

component in an airborne platform. Authorized licensed use limited to: ROME AFB. Downloaded on August 05,2010 at 14:47:37 UTC from IEEE Xplore ...UTC from IEEE Xplore . Restrictions apply. 2 . (7) For instance, it is not difficult to show that the MGF of for Nakagami-m fading with i.n.d fading...August 05,2010 at 14:47:37 UTC from IEEE Xplore . Restrictions apply. 3 ditions. Once again, using integration by parts, (14) can be concisely expressed

Optical communication system performance with tracking error induced signal fading.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tycz, M.; Fitzmaurice, M. W.; Premo, D. A.

1973-01-01

System performance is determined for an optical communication system using noncoherent detection in the presence of tracking error induced signal fading assuming (1) binary on-off modulation (OOK) with both fixed and adaptive threshold receivers, and (2) binary polarization modulation (BPM). BPM is shown to maintain its inherent 2- to 3-dB advantage over OOK when adaptive thresholding is used, and to have a substantially greater advantage when the OOK system is restricted to a fixed decision threshold.

A fading-based method for checking the presence of closely overlapping peaks in thermoluminescent (TL) materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furetta, C.

The paper describes a method, based on fading experiment, for determining the presence of a complex structure in the thermoluminescent glow curve emission from herbs, e.g. oregano and nopal. Because of the polymineral content of the inorganic part of these herbs, the emitted glow curve is the result of several overlapping glow peaks, each one corresponding to another mineral. The initial rise method is also used for determining the activation energy of each component.

Performance of Improved Channel Allocation for Multicarrier CDMA with Adaptive Frequency Hopping and Multiuser Detection

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-08-29

resulting in much larger system capacity than for a non-adaptive MC direct-sequence ( DS )- CDMA system. This conclusion is confirmed for realistic fading...system capacity than for a non-adaptive MC direct-sequence ( DS )- CDMA system. This conclusion is confirmed for realistic fading channels with correlated...transmission method exploits both frequency and multiuser diversity and improves on non-adaptive MC DS - CDMA sys- tems in [6]. In this paper, we focus on the

Contribution towards a draft revision of recommendations 681: Propagation data required for the design of Earth-space land mobile telecommunications systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, Faramaz; Bishop, Dennis

1993-01-01

Propagation models that can be used for the design of earth-space land mobile-satellite telecommunications systems are presented. These models include: empirical roadside shadowing, attenuation frequency scaling, fade and non-fade duration distribution, multipath in a mountain environment, and multipath in a roadside tree environment. Propagation data from helicopter-mobile and satellite-mobile measurements in Australia and the United States were used to develop the models.

Contribution Towards a Draft Revision of Recommendation 681 Propogation Data Required for the Design of Earth-Space Land Mobile Telecommunications Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davarian, F.; Bishop, D.

1993-01-01

Propogation models that can be used for the design of Earth-space land mobile-satellite telecommunications systems are presented. These models include: empirical roadside shadowing, attenuation frequency scaling, fade and non-fade duration distribution, multipath in a mountain environment, and multipath in a roadside tree environment. Propogation data from helicopter-mobile and satellite-mobile measurements in Australia and the United States were used to develop the models.

A TRMM Rainfall Estimation Method Applicable to Land Areas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Iacovazzi, R.; Weinman, J.; Dalu, G.

1999-01-01

Methods developed to estimate rain rate on a footprint scale over land with the satellite-borne multispectral dual-polarization Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/1) radiometer have met with limited success. Variability of surface emissivity on land and beam filling are commonly cited as the weaknesses of these methods. On the contrary, we contend a more significant reason for this lack of success is that the information content of spectral and polarization measurements of the SSM/I is limited. because of significant redundancy. As a result, the complex nature and vertical distribution C, of frozen and melting ice particles of different densities, sizes, and shapes cannot resolved satisfactorily. Extinction in the microwave region due to these complex particles can mask the extinction due to rain drops. Because of these reasons, theoretical models that attempt to retrieve rain rate do not succeed on a footprint scale. To illustrate the weakness of these models, as an example we can consider the brightness temperature measurement made by the radiometer in the 85 GHz channel (T85). Models indicate that T85 should be inversely related to the rain rate, because of scattering. However, rain rate derived from 15-minute rain gauges on land indicate that this is not true in a majority of footprints. This is also supported by the ship-borne radar observations of rain in the Tropical Oceans and Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA-COARE) region over the ocean. Based on these observations. we infer that theoretical models that attempt to retrieve rain rate do not succeed on a footprint scale. We do not follow the above path of rain retrieval on a footprint scale. Instead, we depend on the limited ability of the microwave radiometer to detect the presence of rain. This capability is useful to determine the rain area in a mesoscale region. We find in a given rain event that this rain area is closely related to the mesoscale-average rain rate. Based on this observation, in this study we have developed a method to estimate the mesoscale-average rain rate over land utilizing microwave radiometer data. Because of the high degree of geographic and seasonal variability in the nature and intensity of rain, this method requires some tuning with 15-minute rain gauge data on land. After tuning the method, it can be applied to an independent set of rain events that are close in time and space. We find that the mesoscale rain rates retrieved over the period of a month on land with this method shows a correlation of about 0.85 with respect to the surface rain-gauge observations. This mesoscale-average rain rate estimation method can be useful to extend the spatial and temporal coverage of the rainfall data provided by the Precipitation Radar on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite.

Acid Rain: A Teacher's Guide. Activities for Grades 4 to 12.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Wildlife Federation, Washington, DC.

This guide on acid rain for elementary and secondary students is divided into three study areas: (1) What Causes Acid Rain; (2) What Problems Acid Rain Has Created; (3) How You and Your Students Can Help Combat Acid Rain. Each section presents background information and a series of lessons pertaining to the section topic. Activities include…

Acid Rain. Activities for Grades 4 to 12. A Teacher's Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wood, David; Bryant, Jeannette

This teacher's guide on acid rain is divided into three study areas to explain: (1) what causes acid rain; (2) what problems acid rain has created; and (3) what teachers and students can do to help combat acid rain. Instructions for activities within the study areas include suggested grade levels, objectives, materials needed, and directions for…

Application of Statistical Methods of Rain Rate Estimation to Data From The TRMM Precipitation Radar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meneghini, R.; Jones, J. A.; Iguchi, T.; Okamoto, K.; Liao, L.; Busalacchi, Antonio J. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The TRMM Precipitation Radar is well suited to statistical methods in that the measurements over any given region are sparsely sampled in time. Moreover, the instantaneous rain rate estimates are often of limited accuracy at high rain rates because of attenuation effects and at light rain rates because of receiver sensitivity. For the estimation of the time-averaged rain characteristics over an area both errors are relevant. By enlarging the space-time region over which the data are collected, the sampling error can be reduced. However. the bias and distortion of the estimated rain distribution generally will remain if estimates at the high and low rain rates are not corrected. In this paper we use the TRMM PR data to investigate the behavior of 2 statistical methods the purpose of which is to estimate the rain rate over large space-time domains. Examination of large-scale rain characteristics provides a useful starting point. The high correlation between the mean and standard deviation of rain rate implies that the conditional distribution of this quantity can be approximated by a one-parameter distribution. This property is used to explore the behavior of the area-time-integral (ATI) methods where fractional area above a threshold is related to the mean rain rate. In the usual application of the ATI method a correlation is established between these quantities. However, if a particular form of the rain rate distribution is assumed and if the ratio of the mean to standard deviation is known, then not only the mean but the full distribution can be extracted from a measurement of fractional area above a threshold. The second method is an extension of this idea where the distribution is estimated from data over a range of rain rates chosen in an intermediate range where the effects of attenuation and poor sensitivity can be neglected. The advantage of estimating the distribution itself rather than the mean value is that it yields the fraction of rain contributed by the light and heavy rain rates. This is useful in estimating the fraction of rainfall contributed by the rain rates that go undetected by the radar. The results at high rain rates provide a cross-check on the usual attenuation correction methods that are applied at the highest resolution of the instrument.

Soak Up the Rain

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Soak Up the Rain promotes green infrastructure practices such as rain barrels, rain gardens, permeable pavements and green roofs to reduce stormwater runoff and prevent water pollution while bringing about a broad range of community benefits.

Detecting Sulfuric and Nitric Acid Rain Stresses on Quercus glauca through Hyperspectral Responses

PubMed Central

Wang, Shanqian; Zhang, Xiuying; Ma, Yuandan; Li, Xinhui; Zhang, Xiaomin; Liu, Lei

2018-01-01

Acid rain, which has become one of the most severe global environmental issues, is detrimental to plant growth. However, effective methods for monitoring plant responses to acid rain stress are currently lacking. The hyperspectral technique provides a cost-effective and nondestructive way to diagnose acid rain stresses. Taking a widely distributed species (Quercus glauca) in Southern China as an example, this study aims to monitor the hyperspectral responses of Q. glauca to simulated sulfuric acid rain (SAR) and nitric acid rain (NAR). A total of 15 periods of leaf hyperspectral data under four pH levels of SAR and NAR were obtained during the experiment. The results showed that hyperspectral information could be used to distinguish plant responses under acid rain stress. An index (green peak area index, GPAI) was proposed to indicate acid rain stresses, based on the significantly variations in the region of 500–660 nm. Light acid rain (pH 4.5 SAR and NAR) promoted Q. glauca growth relative to the control groups (pH 5.6 SAR and NAR); moderate acid rain (pH 3.0 SAR) firstly promoted and then inhibited plant growth, while pH 3.0 NAR showed mild inhibitory effects during the experiment; and heavy acid rain (pH 2.0) significantly inhibited plant growth. Compared with NAR, SAR induced more serious damages to Q. glauca. These results could help monitor acid rain stress on plants on a regional scale using remote sensing techniques. PMID:29522488

Detecting Sulfuric and Nitric Acid Rain Stresses on Quercus glauca through Hyperspectral Responses.

PubMed

Wang, Shanqian; Zhang, Xiuying; Ma, Yuandan; Li, Xinhui; Cheng, Min; Zhang, Xiaomin; Liu, Lei

2018-03-09

Acid rain, which has become one of the most severe global environmental issues, is detrimental to plant growth. However, effective methods for monitoring plant responses to acid rain stress are currently lacking. The hyperspectral technique provides a cost-effective and nondestructive way to diagnose acid rain stresses. Taking a widely distributed species ( Quercus glauca ) in Southern China as an example, this study aims to monitor the hyperspectral responses of Q. glauca to simulated sulfuric acid rain (SAR) and nitric acid rain (NAR). A total of 15 periods of leaf hyperspectral data under four pH levels of SAR and NAR were obtained during the experiment. The results showed that hyperspectral information could be used to distinguish plant responses under acid rain stress. An index (green peak area index, GPAI) was proposed to indicate acid rain stresses, based on the significantly variations in the region of 500-660 nm. Light acid rain (pH 4.5 SAR and NAR) promoted Q. glauca growth relative to the control groups (pH 5.6 SAR and NAR); moderate acid rain (pH 3.0 SAR) firstly promoted and then inhibited plant growth, while pH 3.0 NAR showed mild inhibitory effects during the experiment; and heavy acid rain (pH 2.0) significantly inhibited plant growth. Compared with NAR, SAR induced more serious damages to Q. glauca . These results could help monitor acid rain stress on plants on a regional scale using remote sensing techniques.

[Effects of simulated acid rain on water physiological characteristics of Myrica rubra seedlings].

PubMed

Yaho, Zhao-bin; Jiang, Hong; Yu, Shu-quan; Lu, Mei-juan

2011-08-01

Taking the seedlings of typical subtropical economic tree species Myrica rubra in Zhejiang Province as test materials, a pot experiment was conducted to study their water physiological characteristics under effects of simulated acid rain (pH 2.5 and pH 4.0), with water (pH 5.6) as the control. Season, year, and acid rain all had significant effects on the photosynthetic rate (Pn). Among the treatments, the Pn had a greater difference in summer than in spring and autumn, and was higher in treatment acid rain (pH 4.0). Season, year, acid rain, and the interactions of season and year and of the three factors had significant effects on the stomata conductance (Gs), and also, the Gs had a greater difference among the treatments in summer than in spring and autumn. Acid rain had inhibitory effect on Gs. Season, year, acid rain, and the interactions of season and year and of season and acid rain affected the transpiration rate (Tr) significantly. Same as Pn and Gs, the Tr had a greater difference among the treatments in summer than in spring and autumn. Acid rain (pH 2.5) had the strongest inhibitory effect on Tr. Acid rain and the interactions of season and year and of season and acid rain had significant effects on the water use efficiency (WUE), and acid rain (pH 2.5) had definitely positive effect on the WUE.

9-year distributions of rain intensities measured in Prague and their utilization in telecommunications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kvicera, V.; Grabner, M.

2012-04-01

Experimental research in the Department of Frequency Engineering of the Czech Metrology Institute (CMI) in Prague, the Czech Republic, is focused on stability of received signals on terrestrial radio and optical communication paths. Hydrometeors (rain, snow, fog, hails) can cause serious attenuation of electromagnetic waves in the frequency bands above 10 GHz and the availability performances of terrestrial radio communication systems are seriously affected by heavy hydrometeors events. The rain intensity data is usually used for the calculations of attenuation due to rain on terrestrial radio links in accordance with either the relevant ITU-R Recommendation or other methods. Therefore, our experimental research is also focused on our own meteorological measurements in the vicinity of experimental radio and optical paths. The heated tipping-bucket rain gauge with the collector area of 500 cm2 and the rain amount per tip of 0.1 mm is used at CMI for the measurements of intensities of hydrometeors. The time of tips is recorded with uncertainty of 1 second. Hydrometeors intensity data obtained from January 2003 to December 2011 (9 years of observation) was statistically processed over the individual years. All the recorded individual hydrometeor events were compared with the concurrent meteorological conditions and were carefully categorized according to the types of individual hydrometeors, i.e. rain, rain with snow, rain with hails, snow, fog, fog with rain, fog with snow, and fog with rain and snow. The obtained cumulative distributions (CDs) of intensities of individual hydrometeors over 9 years of observation will be presented and compared with the CD of intensities of all hydrometeors together. The rain amounts were examined too. The obtained rain amounts for individual years and the average rain amounts for individual months over the 9-year period will be given. The obtained CD of average 1-minute rain intensities for the average year over the 9-year period of observation was used for the calculations of CDs of attenuation due to rain on terrestrial radio paths in accordance with the relevant recommendation of the ITU-R. The examples of the calculated CDs of attenuation due to rain will be presented for radio communication links with different path lengths working in different frequency bands. The obtained CDs can be used for the assessment of availability performances of terrestrial radio communication links in the climatic region where the rain intensities were measured. The examples will be given. Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic under the Project No. OC09076 supported the described work.

EFFECTS OF SIMULATED ACIDIC RAIN APPLIED ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH AMBIENT RAIN ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF FIELD-GROWN SNAP BEAN

EPA Science Inventory

Field-grown snap bean plants were treated with simulated acidic rain applied either alone or in combination with ambient rain and the effects on growth and yield were determined. In plots where ambient rain was excluded, a retractable canopy was activated to shield the crop. Four...

Discussions on the Design of the Pool Landscape in the Rain Garden Construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Shuzhen; Zhu, Yirong; Wei, Chaojun; Tao, Biaohong

2018-03-01

With rapid urbanization, the environmental problems are becoming increasingly prominent and diversified ecological landscape designs consequently appear with the rain garden landscape design as a typical. Based on the introduction to rain garden ecological functions and in combination with domestic and international rain garden landscape design cases, this paper discussed the rain garden pool landscape design.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qian, Yun; Gong, Daoyi; Leung, Ruby

Long-term daily precipitation data from NCDC are used to investigate the changes of light rain events from 1973-2009 over North America, Europe and Asia. Results reveal that the trend of light rain events presents a remarkably diverse feature in different regions, while an overall decrease trend can be found over the continents in northern hemisphere. In North America, most of stations show a decrease trend for light rain on the annual basis but a decrease trend can also be found for moderate and heavy rain. The opposite trends are observed over the stations in Europe and the trend of lightmore » rain is not significant when averaged for all the stations. In Asia, especially East Asia, the light rain days show an overwhelming decrease trend with high spatial coherency. Meanwhile the moderate and heavy rain events (> 10 mm/day) have increased, suggesting a remarkable shift of precipitation from light to heavy rain in East Asia. While both the warming at a global scale and increased atmospheric aerosols due to air pollution at a regional scale (e.g. East Asia) may have affected the light rain changes, it remains a challenging task to quantitatively detect and separate the cause of light rain changes in different regions.« less

Effects of wind and rain on thermal responses of humans in a mildly cold environment.

PubMed

Yamane, Motoi; Oida, Yukio; Ohnishi, Norikazu; Matsumoto, Takaaki; Kitagawa, Kaoru

2010-05-01

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effects of wind and rain on peripheral heat loss by non-exercising minimally clothed humans in a mildly cold environment. Seven healthy young male subjects wearing only shorts rested in a standing position for 20 min at an ambient temperature of 15 degrees C under three conditions: without exposure to wind or rain (CON), with exposure to wind (3 m/s) (WIND) and with exposure to wind (3 m/s) and rain (40 mm/h) (WIND + RAIN). Mean heat loss measured using a heat flux transducer was significantly greater in the subjects exposed to WIND + RAIN compared to those exposed to CON and WIND conditions (p < 0.01). Metabolic heat production was significantly greater under WIND + RAIN than under CON and WIND (p < 0.01). Decrease in heat storage was significantly larger at WIND + RAIN compared with CON and WIND (p < 0.01). Mean skin temperature was significantly lower under WIND + RAIN than under CON and WIND conditions (p < 0.01). These results indicate that peripheral heat loss significantly increases when humans are exposed to wind and rain for a short period (20 min) under a mildly cold condition.

Comparisons of Instantaneous TRMM Ground Validation and Satellite Rain Rate Estimates at Different Spatial Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolff, David B.; Fisher, Brad L.

2007-01-01

This study provides a comprehensive inter-comparison of instantaneous rain rates observed by the two rain sensors aboard the TRMM satellite with ground data from two regional sites established for long-term ground validation: Kwajalein Atoll and Melbourne, Florida. The satellite rain algorithms utilize remote observations of precipitation collected by the TRMM microwave imager (TMI) and the Precipitation Radar (PR) aboard the TRMM satellite. Three standard Level I1 rain products are generated from operational applications of the TMI, PR and Combined (COM) rain algorithms using rain information collected from the TMI and the PR along the orbital track of the TRMM satellite. In the first part of the study, 0.25 x 0.25 instantaneous rain rates obtained from the TRMM 3668 product were analyzed and compared to instantaneous GV rain rates gridded at a scale of 0.5deg x 0.5. In the second part of the study, TMI, PR, COM and GV rain rates were spatio-temporally matched and averaged at the scale of TMI footprint (- 150 sq km). This study covered a six-year period 1999-2004 and consisted of over 50,000 footprints for each GV site. In the first analysis our results showed that all of the respective rain rate estimates agree well, with some exceptions. The more salient differences were associated with heavy rain events in which one or more of the algorithms failed to properly retrieve these extreme events. Also, it appears that there is a preferred mode of precipitation for TMI rain rates at or near 2 mm/hr over the ocean. This mode was noted over ocean areas of Kwajalein and Melbourne and has been observed in TRMM tropical-global ocean areas as well.

Large-scale modeling of rain fields from a rain cell deterministic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

FéRal, Laurent; Sauvageot, Henri; Castanet, Laurent; Lemorton, JoëL.; Cornet, FréDéRic; Leconte, Katia

2006-04-01

A methodology to simulate two-dimensional rain rate fields at large scale (1000 × 1000 km2, the scale of a satellite telecommunication beam or a terrestrial fixed broadband wireless access network) is proposed. It relies on a rain rate field cellular decomposition. At small scale (˜20 × 20 km2), the rain field is split up into its macroscopic components, the rain cells, described by the Hybrid Cell (HYCELL) cellular model. At midscale (˜150 × 150 km2), the rain field results from the conglomeration of rain cells modeled by HYCELL. To account for the rain cell spatial distribution at midscale, the latter is modeled by a doubly aggregative isotropic random walk, the optimal parameterization of which is derived from radar observations at midscale. The extension of the simulation area from the midscale to the large scale (1000 × 1000 km2) requires the modeling of the weather frontal area. The latter is first modeled by a Gaussian field with anisotropic covariance function. The Gaussian field is then turned into a binary field, giving the large-scale locations over which it is raining. This transformation requires the definition of the rain occupation rate over large-scale areas. Its probability distribution is determined from observations by the French operational radar network ARAMIS. The coupling with the rain field modeling at midscale is immediate whenever the large-scale field is split up into midscale subareas. The rain field thus generated accounts for the local CDF at each point, defining a structure spatially correlated at small scale, midscale, and large scale. It is then suggested that this approach be used by system designers to evaluate diversity gain, terrestrial path attenuation, or slant path attenuation for different azimuth and elevation angle directions.

Quantification and modeling of mechanical degradation in lithium-ion batteries based on nanoscale imaging.

PubMed

Müller, Simon; Pietsch, Patrick; Brandt, Ben-Elias; Baade, Paul; De Andrade, Vincent; De Carlo, Francesco; Wood, Vanessa

2018-06-14

Capacity fade in lithium-ion battery electrodes can result from a degradation mechanism in which the carbon black-binder network detaches from the active material. Here we present two approaches to visualize and quantify this detachment and use the experimental results to develop and validate a model that considers how the active particle size, the viscoelastic parameters of the composite electrode, the adhesion between the active particle and the carbon black-binder domain, and the solid electrolyte interphase growth rate impact detachment and capacity fade. Using carbon-silicon composite electrodes as a model system, we demonstrate X-ray nano-tomography and backscatter scanning electron microscopy with sufficient resolution and contrast to segment the pore space, active particles, and carbon black-binder domain and quantify delamination as a function of cycle number. The validated model is further used to discuss how detachment and capacity fade in high-capacity materials can be minimized through materials engineering.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pezeshki, Alan M.; Sacci, Robert L.; Veith, Gabriel M.

Here, we demonstrate a novel method to accelerate electrode degradation in redox flow batteries and apply this method to the all-vanadium chemistry. Electrode performance degradation occurred seven times faster than in a typical cycling experiment, enabling rapid evaluation of materials. This method also enables the steady-state study of electrodes. In this manner, it is possible to delineate whether specific operating conditions induce performance degradation; we found that both aggressively charging and discharging result in performance loss. Post-mortem x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the degraded electrodes was used to resolve the effects of state of charge (SoC) and current on the electrodemore » surface chemistry. For the electrode material tested in this work, we found evidence that a loss of oxygen content on the negative electrode cannot explain decreased cell performance. Furthermore, the effects of decreased electrode and membrane performance on capacity fade in a typical cycling battery were decoupled from crossover; electrode and membrane performance decay were responsible for a 22% fade in capacity, while crossover caused a 12% fade.« less

Adaptive Fading Memory H∞ Filter Design for Compensation of Delayed Components in Self Powered Flux Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamboli, Prakash Kumar; Duttagupta, Siddhartha P.; Roy, Kallol

2015-08-01

The paper deals with dynamic compensation of delayed Self Powered Flux Detectors (SPFDs) using discrete time H∞ filtering method for improving the response of SPFDs with significant delayed components such as Platinum and Vanadium SPFD. We also present a comparative study between the Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) based H∞ filtering and Algebraic Riccati Equation (ARE) based Kalman filtering methods with respect to their delay compensation capabilities. Finally an improved recursive H∞ filter based on the adaptive fading memory technique is proposed which provides an improved performance over existing methods. The existing delay compensation algorithms do not account for the rate of change in the signal for determining the filter gain and therefore add significant noise during the delay compensation process. The proposed adaptive fading memory H∞ filter minimizes the overall noise very effectively at the same time keeps the response time at minimum values. The recursive algorithm is easy to implement in real time as compared to the LMI (or ARE) based solutions.

Sensing Methods for Detecting Analog Television Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Mohammad Azizur; Song, Chunyi; Harada, Hiroshi

This paper introduces a unified method of spectrum sensing for all existing analog television (TV) signals including NTSC, PAL and SECAM. We propose a correlation based method (CBM) with a single reference signal for sensing any analog TV signals. In addition we also propose an improved energy detection method. The CBM approach has been implemented in a hardware prototype specially designed for participating in Singapore TV white space (WS) test trial conducted by Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of the Singapore government. Analytical and simulation results of the CBM method will be presented in the paper, as well as hardware testing results for sensing various analog TV signals. Both AWGN and fading channels will be considered. It is shown that the theoretical results closely match with those from simulations. Sensing performance of the hardware prototype will also be presented in fading environment by using a fading simulator. We present performance of the proposed techniques in terms of probability of false alarm, probability of detection, sensing time etc. We also present a comparative study of the various techniques.

The 1991-2012 light curve of the old nova HR Lyrae

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Honeycutt, R. K.; Shears, J.; Kafka, S.

2014-05-01

The 22 yr light curve of HR Lyr, acquired with a typical cadence of 2-6 days, is examined for periodic and quasi-periodic variations. No persistent periodicities are revealed. Rather, the light curve variations often take the form of nearly linear rises and falls having typical e-folding times of about 100 days. Occasional ∼0.6 mag outbursts are also seen, with properties similar to those of small outbursts found in some nova-like cataclysmic variables. When the photometry is formed into yearly averages, a decline of 0.012 ± 0.005 mag yr{sup –1} is apparent, consistent with the fading of irradiation-induced M-dot following themore » nova. The equivalent width of Hα is tabulated at three epochs over the interval 1986-2008 in order to compare with a recent result for DK Lac in which Hα was found to be fading 50 yr after the nova. However, our results for such a fading in HR Lyr are inconclusive.« less

Measurement and Modeling of Narrowband Channels for Ultrasonic Underwater Communications

PubMed Central

Cañete, Francisco J.; López-Fernández, Jesús; García-Corrales, Celia; Sánchez, Antonio; Robles, Encarnación; Rodrigo, Francisco J.; Paris, José F.

2016-01-01

Underwater acoustic sensor networks are a promising technology that allow real-time data collection in seas and oceans for a wide variety of applications. Smaller size and weight sensors can be achieved with working frequencies shifted from audio to the ultrasonic band. At these frequencies, the fading phenomena has a significant presence in the channel behavior, and the design of a reliable communication link between the network sensors will require a precise characterization of it. Fading in underwater channels has been previously measured and modeled in the audio band. However, there have been few attempts to study it at ultrasonic frequencies. In this paper, a campaign of measurements of ultrasonic underwater acoustic channels in Mediterranean shallow waters conducted by the authors is presented. These measurements are used to determine the parameters of the so-called κ-μ shadowed distribution, a fading model with a direct connection to the underlying physical mechanisms. The model is then used to evaluate the capacity of the measured channels with a closed-form expression. PMID:26907281

Closed form expressions for ABER and capacity over EGK fading channel in presence of CCI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, S. Pratap; Kumar, Sanjay

2017-03-01

Goal of next generation wireless communication system is to achieve very high data rate. Femto-cell is one of the possibilities to achieve the above target. However, co-channel interference (CCI) is the important concern in femto-cell. This paper presents closed form expressions for average bit error rate (ABER) and capacity for different adaptive schemes under extended generalised-K (EGK) fading channel in the presence of CCI. A novel conditional unified expression (CUE) is derived, which results different conditional error probability and normalised average capacity. Using CUE, a generic expression for ABER is obtained. In addition, closed form expressions for ABER for different modulation schemes under EGK fading channel in presence of CCI are also derived. Further, it is shown that generic ABER expression results into ABER of different modulation schemes. Besides, the closed form expressions of capacity for different adaptive schemes under EGK in presence of CCI are derived. Finally, analytical and simulated results are obtained with excellent agreement.

Progressive transmission of images over fading channels using rate-compatible LDPC codes.

PubMed

Pan, Xiang; Banihashemi, Amir H; Cuhadar, Aysegul

2006-12-01

In this paper, we propose a combined source/channel coding scheme for transmission of images over fading channels. The proposed scheme employs rate-compatible low-density parity-check codes along with embedded image coders such as JPEG2000 and set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT). The assignment of channel coding rates to source packets is performed by a fast trellis-based algorithm. We examine the performance of the proposed scheme over correlated and uncorrelated Rayleigh flat-fading channels with and without side information. Simulation results for the expected peak signal-to-noise ratio of reconstructed images, which are within 1 dB of the capacity upper bound over a wide range of channel signal-to-noise ratios, show considerable improvement compared to existing results under similar conditions. We also study the sensitivity of the proposed scheme in the presence of channel estimation error at the transmitter and demonstrate that under most conditions our scheme is more robust compared to existing schemes.

Thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence disadvantages of α-Al2O3:C crystal grown by the temperature gradient technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xin-Bo; Xu, Jun; Li, Hong-Jun; Bi, Qun-Yu; Cheng, Yan; Su, Liang-Bi; Tang, Qiang

2010-04-01

Recently, α-Al2O3:C crystal with highly sensitive thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) has been successfully grown by the temperature gradient technique. This paper investigates the heating rate dependence of TL sensitivity, light-induced fading of TL signals and thermal stability of OSL of α-Al2O3:C crystals. As the heating rate increases, the integral TL response decreases and the dosimetric glow peak shifts to higher temperatures in α-Al2O3:C crystals. Light-induced fading of TL increases with the irradiation dose, and TL response decreases as the exposure time increases, especially in the first 15 minutes. With the increasing intensity of the exposure light, the TL fading of α-Al2O3:C crystal increases sharply. The OSL response of as-grown α-Al2O3:C crystal is quite stable below 373 K and decreases sharply for higher temperatures.

A population genetic analysis of the midget faded rattlesnake in Wyoming

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oyler-McCance, Sara J.; Parker, J.M.

2010-01-01

Little is known about the population biology of midget faded rattlesnakes, a sensitive subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake, despite conservation efforts to protect them. We conducted a molecular genetic study of midget faded rattlesnakes in southwestern Wyoming to investigate population genetic structure in this area, particularly with reference to Flaming Gorge Reservoir and its associated human activities, and to document levels of genetic diversity. We genotyped 229 snakes from 11 sampling sites using 9 microsatellite loci. We found significant levels of genetic structure among sites that were better explained by geographic region and isolation by distance than by position relative to waterways. Sites on either side of the reservoir at its widest point were not significantly different. Six of the sites showed signatures of a population bottleneck using an alpha value of 0.05. Three of these bottlenecked sites (the three most northern) were the most genetically distinct and occur in areas of greatest impact from human activity.

A new coherent demodulation technique for land-mobile satellite communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yoshida, Shousei; Tomita, Hideho

1990-01-01

An advanced coherent demodulation technique is described for land mobile satellite (LMS) communications. The proposed technique features a combined narrow/wind band dual open loop carrier phase estimator, which is effectively able to compensate the fast carrier phase fluctuation by fading with sacrificing a phase slip rate. Also included is the realization of quick carrier and clock reacquisition after shadowing by taking open loop structure. Its bit error rate (BER) performance is superior to that of existing detection schemes, showing a BER of 1 x 10(exp -2) at 6.3 dB E sub b/N sub o over the Rician channel with 10 dB C/M and 200 Hz (1/16 modulation rate) fading pitch f sub d for QPSK. The proposed scheme consists of a fast response carrier recovery and a quick bit timing recovery with an interpolation. An experimental terminal model was developed to evaluate its performance at fading conditions. The results are quite satisfactory, giving prospects for future LMS applications.

An occultation satellite system for determining pressure levels in the atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, A. R.; Vngar, S. G.; Lusignan, B. B.

1974-01-01

A two-satellite microwave occultation system is described that will fix, as an absolute function of altitude, the pressure-temperature profile generated by a passive infrared sounder. The 300 mb pressure level is determined to within 24 m rms, assuming the temperture errors produced by the infrared sensor are not greater than 2 K rms. Error caused by water vapor in the radio path is corrected by climatological adjustments. A ground test of the proposed system is described. A microwave signal propagating between two mountain tops was found to be subject to periods of intense fading. Computer analysis of the raypath between the transmitting and receiving stations indicates that multipath and defocusing were responsible for this fading. It is unlikely that an operational pressure-reference-level system will be subject to the deep fades observed in the ground test, because the phenomena are associated with lower altitudes than the closest approach altitude of an occultation-system raypath.

Experimental and theoretical studies of perceptible color fading of decorative paints consisting of mixed pigments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auger, Jean-Claude; McLoughlin, Daragh

2017-01-01

We study the color fading of paints films composed of mixtures of white rutile titanium dioxide and yellow arylide pigments dispersed in two polymer binders at different volume concentrations. The samples were exposed to ultraviolet radiations in an accelerated weathering tester during three weeks. The measured patterns in color variations appeared to be independent of the chemistry of the binders. We then developed a theoretical framework, based on the Radiative transfer Equation of light and the One Particle T-Matrix formalism to simulate the color fading process. The loss of color is correlated to the progressive decrease of the original colored pigment volume-filling fraction as the destructive UV radiations penetrate deeper into the films. The calculated patterns of color variations of paints film composed by mixtures of white pigments with yellow Cadmium Sulfate (CdS) and red Cerium Sulfide (Ce2S3) pigments showed the same trend as that seen experimentally.

Code-Time Diversity for Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Systems

PubMed Central

Hassan, A. Y.

2014-01-01

Time diversity is achieved in direct sequence spread spectrum by receiving different faded delayed copies of the transmitted symbols from different uncorrelated channel paths when the transmission signal bandwidth is greater than the coherence bandwidth of the channel. In this paper, a new time diversity scheme is proposed for spread spectrum systems. It is called code-time diversity. In this new scheme, N spreading codes are used to transmit one data symbol over N successive symbols interval. The diversity order in the proposed scheme equals to the number of the used spreading codes N multiplied by the number of the uncorrelated paths of the channel L. The paper represents the transmitted signal model. Two demodulators structures will be proposed based on the received signal models from Rayleigh flat and frequency selective fading channels. Probability of error in the proposed diversity scheme is also calculated for the same two fading channels. Finally, simulation results are represented and compared with that of maximal ration combiner (MRC) and multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems. PMID:24982925

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PHYSICS AND RELATED AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Electrochemical properties of SnO2 nanorods as anode materials in lithium-ion battery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Song-Lin; Liu, Yong-Gang; Zhang, Jing-Yuan; Wang, Tai-Hong

2009-10-01

Well-dispersed SnO2 nanorods with diameter of 4-15 nm and length of 100-200 nm are synthesised through a hydrothermal route and their potential as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries is investigated. The observed initial discharge capacity is as high as 1778 mA·h/g, much higher than the theoretical value of the bulk SnO2 (1494 mA·h/g). During the following 15 cycles, the reversible capacity decreases from 929 to 576 mA·h/g with a fading rate of 3.5% per cycle. The fading mechanism is discussed. Serious capacity fading can be avoided by reducing the cycling voltages from 0.05-3.0 to 0.4-1.2 V. At the end, SnO2 nanorods with much smaller size are synthesized and their performance as anode materials is studied. The size effect on the electrochemical properties is briefly discussed.

Stability of Li- and Mn-Rich Layered-Oxide Cathodes within the First-Charge Voltage Plateau

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iddir, Hakim; Bareño, Javier; Benedek, Roy

Li and Mn rich layered oxides xLi 2MnO 3•(1-x)LiMO 2 enable high capacity and energy density Li-ion batteries, but undergo structural transformations during the first charge that degrade their performance, and result in Voltage Fade upon cycling. First-principles density-functional-theory simulations reveal atomic transformations that occur in the bulk during the first charge. The simulations and experiment (particularly XRD) show that the O and Mn sublattices remain intact during the early part of the voltage plateau, and significant transformations occur only well into the voltage plateau, with perhaps close to half of the Li in the Li 2MnO 3 domains removed.more » That Voltage Fade is actually observed experimentally for a first charge with only minimal activation (extending only slightly beyond the onset of the voltage plateau) may be a consequence of surface and interface instabilities. Implications for the achievement of high energy-density, low-fade battery operation are discussed.« less

State of the Art Control Measures for Aluminium Fade and SEN Clogging during Steelmaking Operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamaraj, Ashok; Saravanakumar, R.; Rajaguru, M.

2018-02-01

Crack formation, fatigue failure of components and other process interruptions in liquid steel practices such as ladle nozzle clogging, SEN clogging, break outs are mainly due to residual deoxidation products such as alumina present in steels. The present paper deals with the issues in steel processing operations and provides state-of-the-art control measures for clean steel production. Investigations regarding the residual alumina content and its consequences at integrated steel plant shows that, Al-fade of maximum 0.02% is observed, which produces equivalent of 37 Kg of alumina in the liquid steel. Furthermore, slag carry over, re-oxidation, improper argon rinsing practice, aluminium consumption at secondary steelmaking practices also influences the alumina formation during steelmaking practices. The residual alumina not only affects the quality of steel, but also results in process interruptions such as ladle choking, SEN choking, subsequent break outs etc. various steelmaking practices influences clogging and aluminium fade are discussed and possible suggestions are given to improve the cleanliness of steel.

Response functions of Fuji imaging plates to monoenergetic protons in the energy range 0.6-3.2 MeV

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bonnet, T.; Denis-Petit, D.; Gobet, F.

2013-01-15

We have measured the responses of Fuji MS, SR, and TR imaging plates (IPs) to protons with energies ranging from 0.6 to 3.2 MeV. Monoenergetic protons were produced with the 3.5 MV AIFIRA (Applications Interdisciplinaires de Faisceaux d'Ions en Region Aquitaine) accelerator at the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Bordeaux Gradignan (CENBG). The IPs were irradiated with protons backscattered off a tantalum target. We present the photo-stimulated luminescence response of the IPs together with the fading measurements for these IPs. A method is applied to allow correction of fading effects for variable proton irradiation duration. Using the IP fading corrections, amore » model of the IP response function to protons was developed. The model enables extrapolation of the IP response to protons up to proton energies of 10 MeV. Our work is finally compared to previous works conducted on Fuji TR IP response to protons.« less

SSM/I Rain Retrievals Within a Unified All-Weather Ocean Algorithm

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wentz, Frank J.; Spencer, Roy W.

1996-01-01

A new method for the physical retrieval of rain rates from satellite microwave radiometers is presented and compared to two other rainfall climatologies derived from satellites. The method is part of a unified ocean parameter retrieval algorithm that is based on the fundamental principles of radiative transfer. The algorithm simultaneously finds near-surface wind speed W, columnar water vapor V, columnar cloud liquid water L, rain rate R, and effective radiating temperature T(sub U) for the upwelling radiation. The performance of the algorithm in the absence of rain is discussed in Wentz, and this paper focuses on the rain component of the algorithm. A particular strength of the unified algorithm is its ability to 'orthogonalize' the retrievals so that there is minimum cross-talk between the retrieved parameters. For example, comparisons of the retrieved water vapor with radiosonde observations show that there is very little correlation between the water vapor retrieval error and rain rate. For rain rates from 1 to 15 mm/h, the rms difference between the retrieved water vapor and the radiosonde value is 5 mm. A novel feature of the rain retrieval method is a beamfilling correction that is based upon the ratio of the retrieved liquid water absorption coefficients at 37 GHz and 19.35 GHz. This ratio decreases by about 40% when heavy and light rain co-exist within the SSM/I footprint as compared to the case of uniform rain. This correction has the effect of increasing the rain rate when the spectral ratio of the absorption coefficients is small. Even with this beamfilling correction, tropical rainfall is still unrealistically low when the freezing level in the tropics (approx. 5 km) is used to specify the rain layer thickness. We restore realism by reducing the assumed averaged tropical rain layer thickness to 3 km, thereby accounting for the existence of warm rain processes in which the rain layer does not extend to the freezing level. Global rain rates are produced for the 1991 through 1994 period from observations taken by microwave radiometers (SSM/I) that are aboard two polar-orbiting satellites. We find that approximately 6% of the SSM/I observations detect measurable rain rates (R greater than 0.2 mm/h). Zonal averages of the rain rates show the peak at the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is quite narrow in meridional extent and varies from about 7 mm/day in the winter to a maximum 11 mm/day in the summer. Very low precipitation rates (less than 0.3 mm/day) are observed in those areas of subsidence influenced by the large semipermanent anticyclones. In general, these features are similar to those reported in previously published rain climatologies. However, significant differences do exists between our rain rates and those produced by Spencer. These differences seem to be related to non-precipitating cloud water.

Rain attenuation studies from radiometric and rain DSD measurements at two tropical locations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halder, Tuhina; Adhikari, Arpita; Maitra, Animesh

2018-05-01

Efficient use of satellite communication in tropical regions demands proper characterization of rain attenuation, particularly, in view of the available popular propagation models which are mostly based on temperate climatic data. Thus rain attenuations at frequencies 22.234, 23.834 and 31.4/30 GHz over two tropical locations Kolkata (22.57°N, 88.36°E, India) and Belem (1.45°S, 48.49° W, Brazil), have been estimated for the year 2010 and 2011, respectively. The estimation has been done utilizing ground-based disdrometer observations and radiometric measurements over Earth-space path. The results show that rain attenuation estimations from radiometric data are reliable only at low rain rates (<30 mm/h). However, the rain attenuation estimations from disdrometer measurements show good agreement with the ITU-R model, even at high rain rates (upto100 mm/h). Despite having significant variability in terms of drop size distribution (DSD), the attenuation values calculated from DSD data (disdrometer measurements) at Kolkata and Belem differ a little for the rain rates below 30 mm/h. However, the attenuation values, obtained from radiometric measurements at the two places, show significant deviations ranging from 0.54 dB to 3.2 dB up to a rain rate of 30 mm/h, on account of different rain heights, mean atmospheric temperatures and climatology of the two locations.

Characterization of tropical precipitation using drop size distribution and rain rate-radar reflectivity relation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Saurabh; Maitra, Animesh

2018-04-01

Characterization of precipitation is important for proper interpretation of rain information from remotely sensed data. Rain attenuation and radar reflectivity (Z) depend directly on the drop size distribution (DSD). The relation between radar reflectivity/rain attenuation and rain rate (R) varies widely depending upon the origin, topography, and drop evolution mechanism and needs further understanding of the precipitation characteristics. The present work utilizes 2 years of concurrent measurements of DSD using a ground-based disdrometer at five diverse climatic conditions in Indian subcontinent and explores the possibility of rain classification based on microphysical characteristics of precipitation. It is observed that both gamma and lognormal distributions are performing almost similar for Indian region with a marginally better performance by one model than other depending upon the locations. It has also been found that shape-slope relationship of gamma distribution can be a good indicator of rain type. The Z-R relation, Z = ARb, is found to vary widely for different precipitation systems, with convective rain that has higher values of A than the stratiform rain for two locations, whereas the reverse is observed for the rest of the three locations. Further, the results indicate that the majority of rainfall (>50%) in Indian region is due to the convective rain although the occurrence time of convective rain is low (<10%).

Acid Rain: A Teaching Focus for the Intermediate Grades.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adams, Renee B.; Adams, Neil D.

1992-01-01

The study of acid rain provides ample opportunities for active, interdisciplinary learning. This article describes 12 hands-on activities designed to expand students' understanding of acid rain. Background information on acid rain is included. (LB)

Life in Tropical Rain Forests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

NatureScope, 1989

1989-01-01

Discusses the diversity of rain forest life, the adaptations of rain forest plants and animals, and ways these organisms interact. Includes activities on canopy critters with a copyable sheet, rain forest revue, design a plant, and jungle sleuths. (RT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blanpied, G.D.

Trees of seedling apple (Malus domesticas borkh.) received 2.5 cm of artificial rain at pH 3.3 or 4.2, each with 0.4 or 1.4 mg Ca/liter of rain water during 7-hour periods. In the early summer period (June 19-July 10) artificial rain reduced Ca in apple leaves, but there were no significant differences due to pH or Ca concentration in the rain. Ca losses during rain treatment appeared to be recovered during 1 week holding periods after treatment. In the autumn period (September 25-October 16) the reduction in leaf Ca was greatest wih low pH, low Ca rain and least withmore » high pH, high Ca rain, which increased Ca in the leaves. K in the leaves was reduced more than Ca, but was not affected by pH or Ca in the rain during either period of observation.« less

A rain pixel recovery algorithm for videos with highly dynamic scenes.

PubMed

Jie Chen; Lap-Pui Chau

2014-03-01

Rain removal is a very useful and important technique in applications such as security surveillance and movie editing. Several rain removal algorithms have been proposed these years, where photometric, chromatic, and probabilistic properties of the rain have been exploited to detect and remove the rainy effect. Current methods generally work well with light rain and relatively static scenes, when dealing with heavier rainfall in dynamic scenes, these methods give very poor visual results. The proposed algorithm is based on motion segmentation of dynamic scene. After applying photometric and chromatic constraints for rain detection, rain removal filters are applied on pixels such that their dynamic property as well as motion occlusion clue are considered; both spatial and temporal informations are then adaptively exploited during rain pixel recovery. Results show that the proposed algorithm has a much better performance for rainy scenes with large motion than existing algorithms.

Application of the advanced communications technology satellite for teleradiology and telemedicine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stewart, Brent K.; Carter, Stephen J.; Rowberg, Alan H.

1995-05-01

The authors have an in-kind grant from NASA to investigate the application of the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) to teleradiology and telemedicine using the JPL developed ACTS Mobile Terminal (AMT) uplink. This experiment involves the transmission of medical imagery (CT, MR, CR, US and digitized radiographs including mammograms), between the ACTS/AMT and the University of Washington. This is accomplished by locating the AMT experiment van in various locations throughout Washington state, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Hawaii. The medical images are transmitted from the ACTS to the downlink at the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) in Cleveland, Ohio, consisting of AMT equipment and the high burst rate-link evaluation terminal (HBR-LET). These images are then routed from LeRC to the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSoM) through the Internet and public switched Integrated Serviced Digital Network (ISDN). Once images arrive in the UW Radiology Department, they are reviewed using both video monitor softcopy and laser-printed hardcopy. Compressed video teleconferencing and transmission of real-time ultrasound video between the AMT van and the UWSoM are also tested. Image quality comparisons are made using both subjective diagnostic criteria and quantitative engineering analysis. Evaluation is performed during various weather conditions (including rain to assess rain fade compensation algorithms). Compression techniques also are tested to evaluate their effects on image quality, allowing further evaluation of portable teleradiology/telemedicine at lower data rates and providing useful information for additional applications (e.g., smaller remote units, shipboard, emergency disaster, etc.). The medical images received at the UWSoM over the ACTS are directly evaluated against the original digital images. The project demonstrates that a portable satellite-land connection can provide subspecialty consultation and education for rural and remote areas. The experiment is divided into three phases. Using the ACTS fixed-hopping beam, phase one involves testing connection of the AMT to medical imaging equipment and image transmission in various climates in western and eastern Washington state. The second phase involves satellite relay transmissions between the Inmarsat satellite and the ACTS/AMT through a ground station in Hawaii for medical imagery originating from either Okinawa, Japan or Kwajalein, in the Pacific. The third phase involves extended use of the ACTS steerable beam in Washington state, Idaho, Montanan and Oregon.

NaTi2(PO4)3 as an Aqueous Anode: Degradation Mechanisms and Mitigation Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, Alexander I.

With the proliferation of renewable energy sources, there has been a growing interest in battery chemistries for grid scale energy storage. Aqueous sodium ion batteries are particularly interesting for large scale energy storage because of their low cost and high safety, however, they tend to show poor long term stability. NaTi2(PO4)3 (NTP) shows promise as an anode for these systems with excellent long term stability when cycled quickly. When cycled slowly, NaTi2(PO4) 3 shows rapid capacity fade. The reasons for this rate depend capacity fade is poorly understood and is the topic of this document. It has been found that the products of the hydrogen evolution reaction, H2(g) and OH-, are the two largest contributors to capacity fade. High electrolyte pH caused by generation of OH- promotes dissolution of NTP during extend cycling, this is exacerbated when the pH increase above 11. The single greatest cause of apparent capacity fade for this material is loss of electrochemical surface area due to hydrogen gas entrapment within the porous structure of the electrode. Capacity lost in this manner can be recovered through reinfiltration of the electrode. The detrimental effects of gas entrapment within the electrode can be partially mitigated through compositing of the electrode with activated carbon and enhancing the wettability of the pores through addition of a surfactant to the electrolyte.

HUBBLE STAYS ON TRAIL OF FADING GAMMA-RAY BURST FIREBALL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

A Hubble Space Telescope image of the fading fireball from one of the universe's most mysterious phenomena, a gamma-ray burst. Though the visible component has faded to 1/500th its brightness (27.7 magnitude) from the time it was first discovered by ground- based telescopes last March (the actual gamma-ray burst took place on February 28), Hubble continues to clearly see the fireball and discriminated a surrounding nebulosity (at 25th magnitude) which is considered a host galaxy. The continued visibility of the burst, and the rate of its fading, support theories that the light from a gamma-ray burst is an expanding relativistic (moving near the speed of light) fireball, possibly produced by the collision of two dense objects, such as an orbiting pair of neutron stars. If the burst happened nearby, within our own galaxy, the resulting fireball should have had only enough energy to propel it into space for a month. The fact that this fireball is still visible after six months means the explosion was truly titanic and, to match the observed brightness, must have happened at the vast distances of galaxies. The energy released in a burst, which can last from a fraction of a second to a few hundred seconds, is equal to all of the Sun's energy generated over its 10 billion year lifetime. The false-color image was taken Sept. 5, 1997 with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph. Credit: Andrew Fruchter (STScI), Elena Pian (ITSRE-CNR), and NASA

[The application of non-annealing thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD)].

PubMed

Wu, J M; Chen, C S; Lan, R H

1993-06-01

Conventional use of Thermoluminescence (TL) in radiation dosimetry is very time-consuming. It requires repeating the procedures of preheating and annealing. In an attempt to simplify these procedures, we conducted an experiment of non-annealing TL dosimetry. This article reports the experiment's results. We adopted Lithium Fluoride (LiF) chip (TLD-100) in polystyrene under the exposure of Co-60, and the result was taken by HAR-SHAW-4000 TL reading system. The TL response was analyzed, including linearity, reproducibility and fading test. Because non-annealing TL response was greatly influenced by residual electron, TLD calibration curves were separated into two parts: (1) high dose region (HDR, 50-1500 cGy); (2) low dose region (LDR, 0-50 cGy). When TL dosimeters were exposed to a single high does (about 500 cGy), the HDR could be reproduced within 3% and fit a good linearity. For LDR, we had to give up the tail of glow curve in the high temperature region. We could then get good linearity and reproducibility. Furthermore, fading of non-annealing was apparently larger than annealing. We could control the fading of non-annealing was apparently larger than annealing. We could control the fading influence within 1% by taking the TL reading one hour after exposure. On the other hand, a combination of photon and electron exposure was also performed by non-annealing TL dosimetry. The results were compatible with Co-60 exposure in the same system.

MODELING THE GAMMA-RAY EMISSION IN THE GALACTIC CENTER WITH A FADING COSMIC-RAY ACCELERATOR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Ruo-Yu; Wang, Xiang-Yu; Prosekin, Anton

2016-12-20

Recent HESS observations of the ∼200 pc scale diffuse gamma-ray emission from the central molecular zone (CMZ) suggest the presence of a PeV cosmic-ray accelerator (PeVatron) located in the inner 10 pc region of the Galactic center. Interestingly, the gamma-ray spectrum of the point-like source (HESS J1745-290) in the Galactic center shows a cutoff at ∼10 TeV, implying a cutoff around 100 TeV in the cosmic-ray proton spectrum. Here we propose that the gamma-ray emission from the inner and the outer regions may be explained self-consistently by run-away protons from a single yet fading accelerator. In this model, gamma-rays frommore » the CMZ region are produced by protons injected in the past, while gamma-rays from the inner region are produced by protons injected more recently. We suggest that the blast wave formed in a tidal disruption event (TDE) caused by the supermassive black hole (Sgr A*) could serve as such a fading accelerator. With typical parameters of the TDE blast wave, gamma-ray spectra of both the CMZ region and HESS J1745-290 can be reproduced simultaneously. Meanwhile, we find that the cosmic-ray energy density profile in the CMZ region may also be reproduced in the fading accelerator model when appropriate combinations of the particle injection history and the diffusion coefficient of cosmic rays are adopted.« less

Effect of rain on Ku-band scatterometer wind measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spencer, Michael; Shimada, Masanobu

1991-01-01

The impact of precipitation on scatterometer wind measurements is investigated. A model is developed which includes the effects of rain attenuation, rain backscatter, and storm horizontal structure. Rain attenuation is found to be the dominant error source at low radar incidence angles and high wind speeds. Volume backscatter from the rain-loaded atmosphere, however, is found to dominate for high incidence angles and low wind speeds.

Rain Splash Dispersal of Gibberella zeae Within Wheat Canopies in Ohio.

PubMed

Paul, P A; El-Allaf, S M; Lipps, P E; Madden, L V

2004-12-01

ABSTRACT Rain splash dispersal of Gibberella zeae, causal agent of Fusarium head blight of wheat, was investigated in field studies in Ohio between 2001 and 2003. Samplers placed at 0, 30, and 100 cm above the soil surface were used to collect rain splash in wheat fields with maize residue on the surface and fields with G. zeae-infested maize kernels. Rain splash was collected during separate rain episodes throughout the wheat-growing seasons. Aliquots of splashed rain were transferred to petri dishes containing Komada's selective medium, and G. zeae was identified based on colony and spore morphology. Dispersed spores were measured in CFU/ml. Intensity of splashed rain was highest at 100 cm and ranged from 0.2 to 10.2 mm h(-1), depending on incident rain intensity and sampler height. Spores were recovered from splash samples at all heights in both locations for all sampled rain events. Both macroconidia and ascospores were found based on microscopic examination of random samples of splashed rain. Spore density and spore flux density per rain episode ranged from 0.4 to 40.9 CFU cm(-2) and 0.4 to 84.8 CFU cm(-2) h(-1), respectively. Spore flux density was higher in fields with G. zeae-infested maize kernels than in fields with maize debris, and generally was higher at 0 and 30 cm than at 100 cm at both locations. However, on average, spore flux density was only 30% lower at 100 cm (height of wheat spikes) than at the other heights. The log of spore flux density was linearly related to the log of splashed rain intensity and the log of incident rain intensity. The regression slopes were not significantly affected by year, location, height, and their interactions, but the intercepts were significantly affected by both sampler height and location. Thus, our results show that spores of G. zeae were consistently splash dispersed to spike heights within wheat canopies, and splashed rain intensity and spore flux density could be predicted based on incident rain intensity in order to estimate inoculum dispersal within the wheat canopy.

Pollen selection under acid rain stress

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Y.

To investigate whether acid rain stress induces pollen selection in nature, three different approaches were used, based on the assumption that the response of pollen grains to acid rain is controlled by an acid sensitive gene product. Germination of pollen from homozygous and heterozygous individuals under acid rain stress was examined to detect any differences in rate of germination between populations of homogeneous and heterogeneous pollen grains. In vitro and in vivo bulked segregant analysis using RAPDs was used to search for differences in DNA constitution between the survivors of acid rain stressed and non-acid rain stressed pollen populations inmore » vitro and between the progenies of acid rain stressed and non-acid rain stressed populations during pollination, respectively. No evidence for the pollen selection under acid rain stress was obtained in any of the test systems. Inhibition of protein synthesis using cycloheximide led to significant reduction of tube elongation at 4 hr and had no effect on pollen germination at any time interval tested. Total proteins extracted from control and acid rain stressed pollen grain populations exhibited no differences. The reduction of corn pollen germination in vitro under acid rain stress was mainly due to pollen rupture. The present data indicates the reduction of pollen germination and tube growth under acid rain stress may be a physiological response rather than a genetic response. A simple, nontoxic, and effective method to separate germinated from ungerminated pollen grains has been developed using pollen from corn (Zea mays, L. cv. Pioneer 3747). The separated germinated pollen grains retained viability and continued tube growth when placed in culture medium.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Golubev, A.; Balashov, Y.; Mavrin, S.

Washout coefficient Λ is widely used as a parameter in washout models. These models describes overall HTO washout with rain by a first-order kinetic equation, while washout coefficient Λ depends on the type of rain event and rain intensity and empirical parameters a, b. The washout coefficient is a macroscopic parameter and we have considered in this paper its relationship with a microscopic rate K of HTO isotopic exchange in atmospheric humidity and drops of rainwater. We have shown that the empirical parameters a, b can be represented through the rain event characteristics using the relationships of molecular impact rate,more » rain intensity and specific rain water content while washout coefficient Λ can be represented through the exchange rate K, rain intensity, raindrop diameter and terminal raindrop velocity.« less

What You Can Do to Soak Up the Rain

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Take steps around your home and community to reduce stormwater runoff. Use rain barrels, disconnect/redirect downspouts, plant trees and rain gardens, use drywells and permeable pavers, and plant green roofs. Take action to soak up the rain.

Lessons from the Rain Forest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phillips, Shelley

2002-01-01

Presents a first-grade art project after students learned about the rain forest and heard the story, "The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest" (Lynn Cherry). Explains that the students created pictures of the rain forest. (CMK)

Wind scatterometry with improved ambiguity selection and rain modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Draper, David Willis

Although generally accurate, the quality of SeaWinds on QuikSCAT scatterometer ocean vector winds is compromised by certain natural phenomena and retrieval algorithm limitations. This dissertation addresses three main contributors to scatterometer estimate error: poor ambiguity selection, estimate uncertainty at low wind speeds, and rain corruption. A quality assurance (QA) analysis performed on SeaWinds data suggests that about 5% of SeaWinds data contain ambiguity selection errors and that scatterometer estimation error is correlated with low wind speeds and rain events. Ambiguity selection errors are partly due to the "nudging" step (initialization from outside data). A sophisticated new non-nudging ambiguity selection approach produces generally more consistent wind than the nudging method in moderate wind conditions. The non-nudging method selects 93% of the same ambiguities as the nudged data, validating both techniques, and indicating that ambiguity selection can be accomplished without nudging. Variability at low wind speeds is analyzed using tower-mounted scatterometer data. According to theory, below a threshold wind speed, the wind fails to generate the surface roughness necessary for wind measurement. A simple analysis suggests the existence of the threshold in much of the tower-mounted scatterometer data. However, the backscatter does not "go to zero" beneath the threshold in an uncontrolled environment as theory suggests, but rather has a mean drop and higher variability below the threshold. Rain is the largest weather-related contributor to scatterometer error, affecting approximately 4% to 10% of SeaWinds data. A simple model formed via comparison of co-located TRMM PR and SeaWinds measurements characterizes the average effect of rain on SeaWinds backscatter. The model is generally accurate to within 3 dB over the tropics. The rain/wind backscatter model is used to simultaneously retrieve wind and rain from SeaWinds measurements. The simultaneous wind/rain (SWR) estimation procedure can improve wind estimates during rain, while providing a scatterometer-based rain rate estimate. SWR also affords improved rain flagging for low to moderate rain rates. QuikSCAT-retrieved rain rates correlate well with TRMM PR instantaneous measurements and TMI monthly rain averages. SeaWinds rain measurements can be used to supplement data from other rain-measuring instruments, filling spatial and temporal gaps in coverage.

Climatology of contribution-weighted tropical rain rates based on TRMM 3B42

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venugopal, V.; Wallace, J. M.

2016-10-01

The climatology of annual mean tropical rain rate is investigated based on merged Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 data. At 0.25° × 0.25° spatial resolution, and 3-hourly temporal resolution, half the rain is concentrated within only ˜1% of the area of the tropics at any given instant. When plotted as a function of logarithm of rain rate, the cumulative contribution of rate-ranked rain occurrences to the annual mean rainfall in each grid box is S shaped and its derivative, the contribution-weighted rain rate spectrum, is Gaussian shaped. The 50% intercept of the cumulative contribution R50 is almost equivalent to the contribution-weighted mean logarithmic rain rate RL¯ based on all significant rain occurrences. The spatial patterns of R50 and RL¯ are similar to those obtained by mapping the fraction of the annual accumulation explained by rain occurrences with rates above various specified thresholds. The geographical distribution of R50 confirms the existence of patterns noted in prior analyses based on TRMM precipitation radar data and reveals several previously unnoticed features.

Effects of melting layer on Ku-band signal depolarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Thumree; Das, Saurabh; Maitra, Animesh

2014-09-01

Propagation effects on Ku-band over an earth-space path is carried out at Kolkata, India, a tropical location, by receiving a Ku-band signal with horizontal plane polarization transmitted from the geostationary satellite NSS-6 (at 95°E). The amplitude of co-polar attenuation has been monitored along with the measurements of rain rate, rain drop size distribution and height profile of rain rate. The cross-polar enhancement of the signal is also monitored by receiving the same signal in orthogonal direction with another identical receiver. The experimental observations are used to study the effect of melting layer on both co-polar attenuation and cross-polar enhancement for the rain events observed during 2012-2013. Melting layer is indicated by the bright band signature in vertical profile of rain rate. The ground based drop size measurements indicate that the stratiform rain has more number of small drops whereas convective rain composed of large rain drops. The results indicate that the depolarization due to melting layer is more dominant compared to that due to the drop deformation mechanism at low rain rates.

The Effect of Rain on Air-Water Gas Exchange

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ho, David T.; Bliven, Larry F.; Wanninkhof, Rik; Schlosser, Peter

1997-01-01

The relationship between gas transfer velocity and rain rate was investigated at NASA's Rain-Sea Interaction Facility (RSIF) using several SF, evasion experiments. During each experiment, a water tank below the rain simulator was supersaturated with SF6, a synthetic gas, and the gas transfer velocities were calculated from the measured decrease in SF6 concentration with time. The results from experiments with IS different rain rates (7 to 10 mm/h) and 1 of 2 drop sizes (2.8 or 4.2 mm diameter) confirm a significant and systematic enhancement of air-water gas exchange by rainfall. The gas transfer velocities derived from our experiment were related to the kinetic energy flux calculated from the rain rate and drop size. The relationship obtained for mono-dropsize rain at the RSIF was extrapolated to natural rain using the kinetic energy flux of natural rain calculated from the Marshall-Palmer raindrop size distribution. Results of laboratory experiments at RSIF were compared to field observations made during a tropical rainstorm in Miami, Florida and show good agreement between laboratory and field data.

Development of a large-scale, outdoor, ground-based test capability for evaluating the effect of rain on airfoil lift

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bezos, Gaudy M.; Campbell, Bryan A.

1993-01-01

A large-scale, outdoor, ground-based test capability for acquiring aerodynamic data in a simulated rain environment was developed at the Langley Aircraft Landing Dynamics Facility (ALDF) to assess the effect of heavy rain on airfoil performance. The ALDF test carriage was modified to transport a 10-ft-chord NACA 64210 wing section along a 3000-ft track at full-scale aircraft approach speeds. An overhead rain simulation system was constructed along a 525-ft section of the track with the capability of producing simulated rain fields of 2, 10, 30, and 40 in/hr. The facility modifications, the aerodynamic testing and rain simulation capability, the design and calibration of the rain simulation system, and the operational procedures developed to minimize the effect of wind on the simulated rain field and aerodynamic data are described in detail. The data acquisition and reduction processes are also presented along with sample force data illustrating the environmental effects on data accuracy and repeatability for the 'rain-off' test condition.

The effect of scaffolded strategies on content learning in a designed science cyberlearning environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kern, Cynthia Lee

Scientific inscriptions---graphs, diagrams, and data---and argumentation are integral to generating and communicating scientific understanding. Scientific inscriptions and argumentation are also important to learning science. However, previous research has indicated that learners struggle to understand and learn science content represented in inscriptions. Furthermore, when learners engage in argumentation, learning science content becomes secondary to the learning of argumentation skills. This design-based research study is nested within the larger effort to inform the design and development of the 5-Featured Dynamic Inquiry Enterprise design framework (5-DIE) for cyberlearning environments and to advance theory associated with the difficulties learners have with scientific inscriptions and the consequences related to using argumentation to learn science content. In an attempt to engage participants in the process of learning science content with scientific inscriptions and argumentation, two learning strategies were embedded in a 5-DIE lessons. The two learning strategies evaluated in this study were (1) self-explanation prompts paired with a scientific inscription and (2) faded worked examples for the evaluation and development of scientific knowledge claims. The participants consisted of ninth and tenth grade students (age: 13-16 years; N=245) enrolled in one of three state-mandated biology courses taught by four different teachers. A three factor mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) with two between factors (self-explanation prompts and faded worked examples) and one within factor (pre, post, delayed post-test) was used to evaluate the effects of the learning strategies on the acquisition and retention of domain-specific content knowledge. Both between factors had two levels (with & without) and are described by the following experimental conditions: (1) control condition (general prompts), (2) self-explanation condition, (3) faded worked examples condition, and (4) combined condition with both self-explanation and faded worked examples. Acquisition and retention of content knowledge was assessed with a 17-item multiple-choice, researcher-developed content knowledge test. Results indicated that self-explanation prompts and faded worked examples learning strategies did not influence acquisition and retention of science content in a positive (i.e., learning) way. Based on the finding of this study, it may be concluded that the use of general prompts is as effective as self-explanation prompts and faded worked examples for scaffolding learner engagement with scientific inscriptions and argumentation. Furthermore, the finding indicated additional research is warranted evaluating the generalizability of scaffolds from college to pre-college populations.

USGS Tracks Acid Rain

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gordon, John D.; Nilles, Mark A.; Schroder, LeRoy J.

1995-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been actively studying acid rain for the past 15 years. When scientists learned that acid rain could harm fish, fear of damage to our natural environment from acid rain concerned the American public. Research by USGS scientists and other groups began to show that the processes resulting in acid rain are very complex. Scientists were puzzled by the fact that in some cases it was difficult to demonstrate that the pollution from automobiles and factories was causing streams or lakes to become more acidic. Further experiments showed how the natural ability of many soils to neutralize acids would reduce the effects of acid rain in some locations--at least as long as the neutralizing ability lasted (Young, 1991). The USGS has played a key role in establishing and maintaining the only nationwide network of acid rain monitoring stations. This program is called the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN). Each week, at approximately 220 NADP/NTN sites across the country, rain and snow samples are collected for analysis. NADP/NTN site in Montana. The USGS supports about 72 of these sites. The information gained from monitoring the chemistry of our nation's rain and snow is important for testing the results of pollution control laws on acid rain.

Dust Rains Deliver Diverse Assemblages of Microorganisms to the Eastern Mediterranean

PubMed Central

Itani, Ghida Nouhad; Smith, Colin Andrew

2016-01-01

Dust rains may be particularly effective at delivering microorganisms, yet their biodiversities have been seldom examined. During 2011 and 2012 in Beirut, Lebanon, 16 of 21 collected rainfalls appeared dusty. Trajectory modelling of air mass origins was consistent with North African sources and at least one Southwest Asian source. As much as ~4 g particulate matter, ~20 μg DNA, and 50 million colony forming units were found deposited per square meter during rainfalls each lasting less than one day. Sequencing of 93 bacteria and 25 fungi cultured from rain samples revealed diverse bacterial phyla, both Gram positive and negative, and Ascomycota fungi. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis of amplified 16S rDNA of 13 rains revealed distinct and diverse assemblages of bacteria. Dust rain 16S libraries yielded 131 sequences matching, in decreasing order of abundance, Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Epsilonproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria. Clean rain 16S libraries yielded 33 sequences matching only Betaproteobacteria family Oxalobacteraceae. Microbial composition varied between dust rains, and more diverse and different microbes were found in dust rains than clean rains. These results show that dust rains deliver diverse communities of microorganisms that may be complex products of revived desert soil species and fertilized cloud species. PMID:26939571

Response of soybean seed germination to cadmium and acid rain.

PubMed

Liu, Ting Ting; Wu, Peng; Wang, Li Hong; Zhou, Qing

2011-12-01

Cadmium (Cd) pollution and acid rain are the main environmental issues, and they often occur in the same agricultural region. Nevertheless, up to now, little information on the combined pollution of Cd(2+) and acid rain action on crops were presented. Here, we investigated the combined effect of Cd(2+) and acid rain on the seed germination of soybean. The results indicated that the single treatment with the low level of Cd(2+) (0.18, 1.0, 3.0 mg L(-1)) or acid rain (pH ≥3.0) could not affect the seed germination of soybean, which was resulted in the increased activities of peroxidase and catalase. The single treatment with the high concentration of Cd(2+) (>6 mg L(-1)) or acid rain at pH 2.5 decreased the activities of peroxidase and catalase, damaged the cell membrane and then decreased the seed germination of soybean. Meanwhile, the same toxic effect was observed in the combined treatment with Cd(2+) and acid rain, and the combined treatment had more toxic effect than the single treatment with Cd(2+) or acid rain. Thus, the combined pollution of Cd(2+) and acid rain had more potential threat to the seed germination of soybean than the single pollution of Cd(2+) or acid rain.

The role of rain in dispersal of the primary inoculum of Plasmopara viticola.

PubMed

Rossi, Vittorio; Caffi, Tito

2012-02-01

Although primary infection of grapevines by Plasmopara viticola requires splash dispersal of inoculum from soil to leaves, little is known about the role of rain in primary inoculum dispersal. Distribution of rain splashes from soil to grapevine canopy was evaluated over 20 rain periods (0.2 to 64.2 mm of rain) with splash samplers placed within the canopy. Samplers at 40, 80, and 140 cm above the soil caught 4.4, 0.03, and 0.003 drops/cm(2) of sampler area, respectively. Drops caught at 40 and 80 cm (1.5 cm in diameter) were larger than drops at 140 cm (1.3 cm). Leaf coverage by splashed drops, total drop number, and drop size increased with an increase in the maximum intensity of rain (mm/h) during any rain period. Any rainfall led to infection in potted grapevines placed outside on leaf litter containing oospores, if the litter contained germinated oospores at the time of rain; infection severity was unrelated to rain amount or intensity. Results from vineyards also indicate that any rain can carry P. viticola inoculum from soil to leaves and should be considered a splash event in disease prediction systems. Sampling for early disease detection should focus on the lower canopy, where the probability of splash impact is greatest.

Dust Rains Deliver Diverse Assemblages of Microorganisms to the Eastern Mediterranean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itani, Ghida Nouhad; Smith, Colin Andrew

2016-03-01

Dust rains may be particularly effective at delivering microorganisms, yet their biodiversities have been seldom examined. During 2011 and 2012 in Beirut, Lebanon, 16 of 21 collected rainfalls appeared dusty. Trajectory modelling of air mass origins was consistent with North African sources and at least one Southwest Asian source. As much as ~4 g particulate matter, ~20 μg DNA, and 50 million colony forming units were found deposited per square meter during rainfalls each lasting less than one day. Sequencing of 93 bacteria and 25 fungi cultured from rain samples revealed diverse bacterial phyla, both Gram positive and negative, and Ascomycota fungi. Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis of amplified 16S rDNA of 13 rains revealed distinct and diverse assemblages of bacteria. Dust rain 16S libraries yielded 131 sequences matching, in decreasing order of abundance, Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Epsilonproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria. Clean rain 16S libraries yielded 33 sequences matching only Betaproteobacteria family Oxalobacteraceae. Microbial composition varied between dust rains, and more diverse and different microbes were found in dust rains than clean rains. These results show that dust rains deliver diverse communities of microorganisms that may be complex products of revived desert soil species and fertilized cloud species.

Data driven analysis of rain events: feature extraction, clustering, microphysical /macro physical relationship

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djallel Dilmi, Mohamed; Mallet, Cécile; Barthes, Laurent; Chazottes, Aymeric

2017-04-01

The study of rain time series records is mainly carried out using rainfall rate or rain accumulation parameters estimated on a fixed integration time (typically 1 min, 1 hour or 1 day). In this study we used the concept of rain event. In fact, the discrete and intermittent natures of rain processes make the definition of some features inadequate when defined on a fixed duration. Long integration times (hour, day) lead to mix rainy and clear air periods in the same sample. Small integration time (seconds, minutes) will lead to noisy data with a great sensibility to detector characteristics. The analysis on the whole rain event instead of individual short duration samples of a fixed duration allows to clarify relationships between features, in particular between macro physical and microphysical ones. This approach allows suppressing the intra-event variability partly due to measurement uncertainties and allows focusing on physical processes. An algorithm based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Self Organising Maps (SOM) is developed to obtain a parsimonious characterisation of rain events using a minimal set of variables. The use of self-organizing map (SOM) is justified by the fact that it allows to map a high dimensional data space in a two-dimensional space while preserving as much as possible the initial space topology in an unsupervised way. The obtained SOM allows providing the dependencies between variables and consequently removing redundant variables leading to a minimal subset of only five features (the event duration, the rain rate peak, the rain event depth, the event rain rate standard deviation and the absolute rain rate variation of order 0.5). To confirm relevance of the five selected features the corresponding SOM is analyzed. This analysis shows clearly the existence of relationships between features. It also shows the independence of the inter-event time (IETp) feature or the weak dependence of the Dry percentage in event (Dd%e) feature. This confirms that a rain time series can be considered by an alternation of independent rain event and no rain period. The five selected feature are used to perform a hierarchical clustering of the events. The well-known division between stratiform and convective events appears clearly. This classification into two classes is then refined in 5 fairly homogeneous subclasses. The data driven analysis performed on whole rain events instead of fixed length samples allows identifying strong relationships between macrophysics (based on rain rate) and microphysics (based on raindrops) features. We show that among the 5 identified subclasses some of them have specific microphysics characteristics. Obtaining information on microphysical characteristics of rainfall events from rain gauges measurement suggests many implications in development of the quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE), for the improvement of rain rate retrieval algorithm in remote sensing context.

Have Tropical Cyclones Been Feeding More Extreme Rainfall?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, K.-M.; Zhou, Y. P.; Wu, H.-T.

2008-01-01

We have conducted a study of the relationship between tropical cyclone (TC) and extreme rain events using GPCP and TRMM rainfall data, and storm track data for July through November (JASON) in the North Atlantic (NAT) and the western North Pacific (WNP). Extreme rain events are defined in terms of percentile rainrate, and TC-rain by rainfall associated with a named TC. Results show that climatologically, 8% of rain events and 17% of the total rain amount in NAT are accounted by TCs, compared to 9% of rain events and 21% of rain amount in WNP. The fractional contribution of accumulated TC-rain to total rain, Omega, increases nearly linearly as a function of rainrate. Extending the analyses using GPCP pentad data for 1979-2005, and for the post-SSM/I period (1988-2005), we find that while there is no significant trend in the total JASON rainfall over NAT or WNP, there is a positive significant trend in heavy rain over both basins for the 1979-2005 period, but not for the post-SSM/I period. Trend analyses of Omega for both periods indicate that TCs have been feeding increasingly more to rainfall extremes in NAT, where the expansion of the warm pool area can explain slight more than 50% of the change in observed trend in total TC rainfall. In WNP, trend signals for Omega are mixed, and the long-term relationship between TC rain and warm pool areas are strongly influenced by interannual and interdecadal variability.

Visualization of soil-moisture change in response to precipitation within two rain gardens in Ohio

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dumouchelle, Denise H.; Darner, Robert A.

2014-01-01

Stormwater runoff in urban areas is increasingly being managed by means of a variety of treaments that reduce or delay runoff and promote more natural infiltration. One such treatment is a rain garden, which is built to detain runoff and allow for water infiltration and uptake by plants.Water flow into or out of a rain garden can be readily monitored with a variety of tools; however, observing the movement of water within the rain garden is less straightforward. Soil-moisture probes in combination with an automated interpolation procedure were used to document the infiltration of water into two rain gardens in Ohio. Animations show changes in soil moisture in the rain gardens during two precipitation events. At both sites, the animations demonstrate underutilization of the rain gardens.

Spread of acid rain over India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khemani, L. T.; Momin, G. A.; Rao, P. S. Prakasa; Safai, P. D.; Singh, G.; Kapoor, R. K.

Rain water and aerosol samples were collected at a few locations representative of urban and non-urban regions in India. Also, rain water samples were collected in and around a coal-fired power plant. All the rain water and aerosol samples were analyzed for major chemical components along with pH. The rain water at all the places of measurement, except near the industrial sources, has been found to be alkaline and was characterized by the presence of excess cations, particularly by Ca 2+. The acid rain near the industrial sources was associated with excess anions, especially SO 42-. The atmospheric aerosols at all the places of measurement were found rich with basic components, suggesting that the alkaline soil dust and fly ash are responsible at present for preventing the spread of acid rain in India.

CR@BaSO4: an acid rain-indicating material.

PubMed

Gao, Hong-Wen; Xu, Xin-Hui

2011-12-28

The CR@BaSO(4) hybrid was synthesized, characterized and used as an acid rain-indicating (ARI) material. A painted ARI umbrella was discolored after exposure to simulated acid rain of pH 5 or less and returned to the initial color after the rain stopped. Such a functionalized material may make acid rain visual to remind people in real-time. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Synchronization techniques for all digital 16-ary QAM receivers operating over land mobile satellite links

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fines, P.; Aghvami, A. H.

1990-01-01

The performance of a low bit rate (64 Kb/s) all digital 16-ary Differentially Encoded Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16-DEQAM) demodulator operating over a mobile satellite channel, is considered. The synchronization and detection techniques employed to overcome the Rician channel impairments, are described. The acquisition and steady state performance of this modem, are evaluated by computer simulation over AWGN and RICIAN channels. The results verify the suitability of the 16-DEQAM transmission over slowly faded and/or mildly faded channels.

Fast online simultaneous monitoring of PMD and chromatic dispersion with reduced polarization dependent gain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, G.; Shum, P.; Aditya, S.; Gong, Yandong

2006-09-01

We use the expression relating the output state of polarization and PMD vector. Based on this expression we get the power fading including first-order PMD and chromatic dispersion, which is dependent on the angle of precession of output state of polarization around the PMD vector. From the expression for power fading, we get the average power penalty for chromatic dispersion and PMD. We propose a novel and fast PMD and chromatic dispersion monitoring technology. Measured results agree well with theoretical analysis.

Multidimensional Trellis Coded Phase Modulation Using a Multilevel Concatenation Approach. Part 2; Codes for AWGN and Fading Channels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rajpal, Sandeep; Rhee, DoJun; Lin, Shu

1997-01-01

In this paper, we will use the construction technique proposed in to construct multidimensional trellis coded modulation (TCM) codes for both the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and the fading channels. Analytical performance bounds and simulation results show that these codes perform very well and achieve significant coding gains over uncoded reference modulation systems. In addition, the proposed technique can be used to construct codes which have a performance/decoding complexity advantage over the codes listed in literature.

Rain, Snow, and Spring Runoff Revisited.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bohren, Craig F.

1995-01-01

Explores the theory behind the correlation between warm rain, rapid snowmelt, and the subsequent runoff using the concepts of enthalpy, thermal transfer, and energy transfer. Concludes that rapid runoff is not a consequence of rain per se but of the high humidities associated with the rain. (JRH)

The Effects of Rain Garden Size on Performance

EPA Science Inventory

The presentation discusses the effect of rain garden size on the hydrologic and pollutant removal performance of rain garden systems. The slides will summarize data from both the full-scale rain garden project associated with the permeable pavement parking lot as well as the pilo...

Comparisons of Instantaneous TRMM Ground Validation and Satellite Rain Rate Estimates at Different Spatial Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolff, David B.; Fisher, Brad L.

2007-01-01

This study provides a comprehensive inter-comparison of instantaneous rain estimates from the two rain sensors aboard the TRMM satellite with ground data from thee designated Ground Validation Sites: Kwajalein Atoll, Melbourne, Florida and Houston, Texas. The satellite rain retrievals utilize rain observations collected by the TRMM microwave imager (TMI) and the Precipitation Radar (PR) aboard the TRMM satellite. Three standard instantaneous rain products are the generated from the rain information retrieved from the satellite using the TMI, PR and Combined (COM) rain algorithms. The validation data set used in this study was obtained from instantaneous rain rates inferred from ground radars at each GV site. The first comparison used 0.5(sup 0) x 0.5(sup 0) gridded data obtained from the TRMM 3668 product, and similarly gridded GV data obtained from ground-based radars. The comparisons were made at the same spatial and temporal scales in order to eliminate sampling biases in our comparisons. An additional comparison was made by averaging rain rates for the PR, COM and GV estimates within each TMI footprint (approx. 150 square kilometers). For this analysis, unconditional mean rain rates from PR, COM and GV estimates were calculated within each TMI footprint that was observed within 100 km from the respective GV site (and also observed by the PR). This analysis used all the available matching data from the period 1999-2004, representing a sample size of over 50,000 footprints for each site. In the first analysis our results showed that all of the respective rain rate estimates agree well, with some exceptions. The more salient differences were associated with heavy rain events in which one or more of the algorithms failed to properly retrieve these extreme events. Also, it appears that there is a preferred mode of precipitation for TMI rain rates at or near 2 mm per hour over the ocean. This mode was noted over ocean areas of Melbourne, Florida and Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and is shown to exist in TRMM tropical-global ocean areas as well. Further research by algorithm developers is needed to explain or justify the seemingly errant observed probability distributions.

[Influence of simulated acid rain on nitrogen and phosphorus contents and their stoichiome-tric ratios of tea organs in a red soil region, China].

PubMed

Zhang, Yu Fei; Fang, Xiang Min; Chen, Fu Sheng; Zong, Ying Ying; Gu, Han Jiao; Hu, Xiao Fei

2017-04-18

A 25-year-old tea plantation in a typical red soil region was selected for an in situ simulated acid rain experiment treated by pH 4.5, 3.5, 2.5 and water (control, CK). Roots with different functions, leaves and twigs with different ages were collected to measure nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents in the third year after simulated acid rain treatment. The N/P and acid rain sensitivity coefficient of tea plant organs were also calculated. The results indicated that with the increase of acid rain intensity, the soil pH, NO 3 - -N and available P decreased, while the absorption root N content increased. Compared with the control, the N content in absorption root was increased by 32.9% under the treatment of pH 2.5. The P content in storage root significantly decreased with enhanced acid rain intensity, and the acid rain treatment significantly enhanced N/P of absorption root. Young and mature leaf N, P contents were not sensitive to different intensities of acid rain, but the mature leaf N/P was significantly increased under pH 3.5 treatment compared with the control. The effects of acid rain treatments differed with tea twig ages. Compared with the control, low intensity acid treatment (pH 4.5) significantly increased young twig N content and N/P, while no signi-ficant differences in old twig N content and N/P were observed among four acid rain treatments. Acid rain sensitivity coefficients of absorption root, young leaf and twig N contents were higher than that of storage root, old leaf and twig, respectively. And the storage root and leaf P had higher acid rain sensitivity coefficient than other tea organs. In sum, tea organs N content was sensitive to acid rain treatment, and moderate acid rain could increase young organ N content and N/P, and change the cycle and balance of N and P in tea plantation.

Detecting Trends in Tropical Rainfall Characteristics, 1979-2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lau, K. M.; Wu, H. T.

2006-01-01

From analyses of blended space-based and ground-based global rainfall data, we found increasing trends in the occurrence of extreme heavy and light rain events, coupled to a decreasing trend in moderate rain events in the tropics during 1979-2003. The trends are consistent with a shift in the large-scale circulation associated with a) a relatively uniform increase in warm rain over the tropical oceans, b) enhanced ice-phase rain over the near-equatorial oceans, and c) reduced mixed-phase rain over the tropical ocean and land regions. Due to the large compensation among different rain categories, the total tropical rainfall trend remained undetectable.

Development of one-minute rain-rate and rain-attenuation contour maps for satellite propagation system planning in a subtropical country: South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ojo, J. S.; Owolawi, P. A.

2014-10-01

Millimeter and microwave system design at higher frequencies require as input a 1-min rain-rate cumulative distribution function for estimating the level of degradation that can be encountered at such frequency bands. Owing to the lack of 1-min rain-rate data in South Africa and the availability of 5-min and hourly rainfall data, we have used rain-rate conversion models and the refined Moupfouma model to convert the available data into 1-min rain-rate statistics. The attenuation caused by these rain rates was predicted using the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendations model. The Kriging interpolation method was used to draw contour maps over different percentages of time for spatial interpolation of rain-rate values into a regular grid in order to obtain a highly consistent and predictable inter-gauge rain-rate variation over South Africa. The present results will be useful for system designers of modern broadband wireless access (BWA) and high-density cell-based Ku/Ka, Q/V band satellite systems, over the desired area of coverage in order to determine the appropriate effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP) and receiver characteristics of this region.

The Study of Rain Specific Attenuation for the Prediction of Satellite Propagation in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandeep, J. S.; Ng, Y. Y.; Abdullah, H.; Abdullah, M.

2010-06-01

Specific attenuation is the fundamental quantity in the calculation of rain attenuation for terrestrial path and slant paths representing as rain attenuation per unit distance (dB/km). Specific attenuation is an important element in developing the predicted rain attenuation model. This paper deals with the empirical determination of the power law coefficients which allow calculating the specific attenuation in dB/km from the knowledge of the rain rate in mm/h. The main purpose of the paper is to obtain the coefficients of k and α of power law relationship between specific attenuation. Three years (from 1st January 2006 until 31st December 2008) rain gauge and beacon data taken from USM, Nibong Tebal have been used to do the empirical procedure analysis of rain specific attenuation. The data presented are semi-empirical in nature. A year-to-year variation of the coefficients has been indicated and the empirical measured data was compared with ITU-R provided regression coefficient. The result indicated that the USM empirical measured data was significantly vary from ITU-R predicted value. Hence, ITU-R recommendation for regression coefficients of rain specific attenuation is not suitable for predicting rain attenuation at Malaysia.

Effects of sulfuric, nitric, and mixed acid rain on Chinese fir sapling growth in Southern China.

PubMed

Liu, Xin; Fu, Zhiyuan; Zhang, Bo; Zhai, Lu; Meng, Miaojing; Lin, Jie; Zhuang, Jiayao; Wang, G Geoff; Zhang, Jinchi

2018-09-30

The influence of acid rain on plant growth includes direct effects on foliage as well as indirect soil-mediated effects that cause a reduction in root growth. In addition, the concentration of NO 3 - in acid rain increases along with the rapid growth of nitrogen deposition. In this study, we investigated the impact of simulated acid rain with different SO 4 2- /NO 3 - (S/N) ratios, which were 1:0, 5:1, 1:1, 1:5 and 0:1, on Chinese fir sapling growth from March 2015 to April 2016. Results showed that Chinese fir sapling height growth rate (HGR) and basal diameter growth rate (DGR) decreased as acid rain pH decreased, and also decreased as the percentage of NO 3 - increased in acid rain. Acid rain pH significantly decreased the Chlorophyll a (Chla) and Chlorophyll b (Chlb) content, and Chla and Chlb contents with acid rain S/N 1:5 were significantly lower than those with S/N 1:0 at pH 2.5. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, maximal efficiency of Photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ), with most acid rain treatments were significantly lower than those with CK treatments. Root activities first increased and then decreased as acid rain pH decreased, when acid rain S/N ratios were 1:1, 1:5 and 0:1. Redundancy discriminant analysis (RDA) showed that the Chinese fir DGR and HGR had positive correlations with Chla, Chlb, Fv/Fm ratio, root activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in roots under the stress of acid rain with different pH and S/N ratios. The structural equation modelling (SEM) results showed that acid rain NO 3 - concentration and pH had stronger direct effects on Chinese fir sapling HGR and DGR, and the direct effects of acid rain NO 3 - concentration and pH on HGR were lower than those on DGR. Our results suggest that the ratio of SO 4 2- to NO 3 - in acid rain is an important factor which could affect the sustainable development of monoculture Chinese fir plantations in southern China. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

40 CFR 72.85 - Permit reopenings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... REGULATION Permit Revisions § 72.85 Permit reopenings. (a) The permitting authority shall reopen an Acid Rain permit for cause whenever: (1) Any additional requirement under the Acid Rain Program becomes applicable... revoked to assure compliance with Acid Rain Program requirements. (b) In reopening an Acid Rain permit for...

40 CFR 72.85 - Permit reopenings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... REGULATION Permit Revisions § 72.85 Permit reopenings. (a) The permitting authority shall reopen an Acid Rain permit for cause whenever: (1) Any additional requirement under the Acid Rain Program becomes applicable... revoked to assure compliance with Acid Rain Program requirements. (b) In reopening an Acid Rain permit for...

40 CFR 72.85 - Permit reopenings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... REGULATION Permit Revisions § 72.85 Permit reopenings. (a) The permitting authority shall reopen an Acid Rain permit for cause whenever: (1) Any additional requirement under the Acid Rain Program becomes applicable... revoked to assure compliance with Acid Rain Program requirements. (b) In reopening an Acid Rain permit for...

40 CFR 72.85 - Permit reopenings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... REGULATION Permit Revisions § 72.85 Permit reopenings. (a) The permitting authority shall reopen an Acid Rain permit for cause whenever: (1) Any additional requirement under the Acid Rain Program becomes applicable... revoked to assure compliance with Acid Rain Program requirements. (b) In reopening an Acid Rain permit for...

40 CFR 72.85 - Permit reopenings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... REGULATION Permit Revisions § 72.85 Permit reopenings. (a) The permitting authority shall reopen an Acid Rain permit for cause whenever: (1) Any additional requirement under the Acid Rain Program becomes applicable... revoked to assure compliance with Acid Rain Program requirements. (b) In reopening an Acid Rain permit for...

Variation of rain intensity and drop size distribution with General Weather Patterns (GWL)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghada, Wael; Buras, Allan; Lüpke, Marvin; Menzel, Annette

2017-04-01

Short-duration rainfall extremes may cause flash floods in certain catchments (e.g. cities or fast responding watersheds) and pose a great risk to affected communities. In order to predict their occurrence under future climate change scenarios, their link to atmospheric circulation patterns needs to be well understood. We used a comprehensive data set of meteorological data (temperature, rain gauge precipitation) and precipitation spectra measured by a disdrometer (OTT PARSIVEL) between October 2008 and June 2010 at Freising, southern Germany. For the 21 months of the study period, we integrated the disdrometer spectra over intervals of 10 minutes to correspond to the temporal resolution of the weather station data and discarded measurements with air temperatures below 0°C. Daily General Weather Patterns ("Großwetterlagen", GWL) were downloaded from the website of the German Meteorological Service. Out of the 29 GWL, 14 were included in the analysis for which we had at least 12 rain events during our study period. For the definition of a rain event, we tested different lengths of minimum inter-event times and chose 30 min as a good compromise between number and length of resulting events; rain events started when more than 0.001 mm/h (sensitivity of the disdrometer) were recorded. The length of the rain events ranged between 10 min and 28 h (median 130 min) with the maximum rain intensity recorded being 134 mm/h on 24-07-2009. Seasonal differences were identified for rain event average intensities and maximum intensities per event. The influence of GWL on rain properties such as rain intensity and drop size distribution per time step and per event was investigated based on the above mentioned rain event definition. Pairwise Wilcoxon-tests revealed that higher rain intensity and larger drops were associated with the GWL "Low over the British Isles" (TB), whereas low rain intensities and less drops per interval were associated with the GWL "High over Central Europe" (HM). "Trough over Central Europe" (TRM) was linked to smaller drops and "High Scandinavia-Iceland, Trough C. Europe" (HNFZ) had fewer drops per time step when compared to other GWL types. We also investigated the intra-event behavior regarding fluctuations in rain intensity, rain drop counts, and drop size distribution with time. When combined with predictions of circulation patterns, our analysis provides a detailed insight into the characteristics of rain events under different future climate scenarios, but definitively an extended measurement period and more measurement locations are needed for validation.

Effective application of optical sensing technology for sustainable liquid level sensing and rainfall measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afzal, Muhammad Hassan Bin

2015-05-01

Rainfall measurement is performed on regular basis to facilitate effectively the weather stations and local inhabitants. Different types of rain gauges are available with different measuring principle for rainfall measurement. In this research work, a novel optical rain sensor is designed, which precisely calculate the rainfall level according to rainfall intensity. This proposed optical rain sensor model introduced in this paper, which is basically designed for remote sensing of rainfall and it designated as R-ORMS (Remote Optical Rainfall Measurement sensor). This sensor is combination of some improved method of tipping bucket rain gauge and most of the optical hydreon rain sensor's principle. This optical sensor can detect the starting time and ending time of rain, rain intensity and rainfall level. An infrared beam from Light Emitting Diode (LED) through powerful convex lens can accurately determines the diameter of each rain drops by total internal reflection principle. Calculations of these accumulative results determine the rain intensity and rainfall level. Accurate rainfall level is determined by internal optical LED based sensor which is embedded in bucket wall. This internal sensor is also following the total internal reflection (TIR) principle and the Fresnel's law. This is an entirely novel design of optical sensing principle based rain sensor and also suitable for remote sensing rainfall level. The performance of this proposed sensor has been comprehensively compared with other sensors with similar attributes and it showed better and sustainable result. Future related works have been proposed at the end of this paper, to provide improved and enhanced performance of proposed novel rain sensor.

Application of a Threshold Method to Airborne-Spaceborne Attenuating-Wavelength Radars for the Estimation of Space-Time Rain-Rate Statistics.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meneghini, Robert

1998-09-01

A method is proposed for estimating the area-average rain-rate distribution from attenuating-wavelength spaceborne or airborne radar data. Because highly attenuated radar returns yield unreliable estimates of the rain rate, these are eliminated by means of a proxy variable, Q, derived from the apparent radar reflectivity factors and a power law relating the attenuation coefficient and the reflectivity factor. In determining the probability distribution function of areawide rain rates, the elimination of attenuated measurements at high rain rates and the loss of data at light rain rates, because of low signal-to-noise ratios, leads to truncation of the distribution at the low and high ends. To estimate it over all rain rates, a lognormal distribution is assumed, the parameters of which are obtained from a nonlinear least squares fit to the truncated distribution. Implementation of this type of threshold method depends on the method used in estimating the high-resolution rain-rate estimates (e.g., either the standard Z-R or the Hitschfeld-Bordan estimate) and on the type of rain-rate estimate (either point or path averaged). To test the method, measured drop size distributions are used to characterize the rain along the radar beam. Comparisons with the standard single-threshold method or with the sample mean, taken over the high-resolution estimates, show that the present method usually provides more accurate determinations of the area-averaged rain rate if the values of the threshold parameter, QT, are chosen in the range from 0.2 to 0.4.

A Method to Retrieve Rainfall Rate Over Land from TRMM Microwave Imager Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prabhakara, C.; Iacovazzi, R., Jr.; Yoo, J.-M.; Lau, William K. M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Over tropical land regions, rain rate maxima in mesoscale convective systems revealed by the Precipitation Radar (PR) flown on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are found to correspond to thunderstorms, i.e., Cbs. These Cbs are reflected as minima in the 85 GHz brightness temperature, T85, observed by the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) radiometer. Because the magnitude of TMI observations do not discriminate satisfactorily convective and stratiform rain, we developed here a different TMI discrimination method. In this method, two types of Cbs, strong and weak, are inferred from the Laplacian of T85 at minima. Then, to retrieve rain rate, where T85 is less than 270 K, a weak (background) rain rate is deduced using T85 observations. Furthermore, over a circular area of 10 km radius centered at the location of each T85 minimum, an additional Cb component of rain rate is added to the background rain rate. This Cb component of rain rate is estimated with the help of (T19-T37) and T85 observations. Initially, our algorithm is calibrated with the PR rain rate measurements from 20 MCS rain events. After calibration, this method is applied to TMI data taken from several tropical land regions. With the help of the PR observations, we show that the spatial distribution and intensity of rain rate over land estimated from our algorithm are better than those given by the current TMI-Version-5 Algorithm. For this reason, our algorithm may be used to improve the current state of rain retrievals on land.

40 CFR 72.63 - Administrative record.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) PERMITS REGULATION Federal Acid Rain Permit Issuance Procedures § 72.63 Administrative record. (a... Rain permit or denial of an Acid Rain permit. The administrative record will contain: (1) The permit... permit or denial of a draft permit; (7) The Acid Rain permit; and (8) Any response to public comments...

Acid Rain: What We Must Do.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gorham, Eville

1983-01-01

Addresses questions about the nature, source, and history of acid rain. In addition, discusses the questions: Why is acid rain a problem? Is acid rain getting worse? What is the threat of further problems? Concludes that it is time to act on the problem and recommends an appropriate course of action. (JN)

40 CFR 72.50 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... REGULATION Acid Rain Permit Contents § 72.50 General. (a) Each Acid Rain permit (including any draft or proposed Acid Rain permit) will contain the following elements in a format prescribed by the Administrator: (1) All elements required for a complete Acid Rain permit application under § 72.31 of this part, as...

40 CFR 76.3 - General Acid Rain Program provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 17 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false General Acid Rain Program provisions. 76.3 Section 76.3 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.3 General Acid Rain Program provisions...

40 CFR 76.3 - General Acid Rain Program provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 16 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false General Acid Rain Program provisions. 76.3 Section 76.3 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.3 General Acid Rain Program provisions...

40 CFR 72.63 - Administrative record.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) PERMITS REGULATION Federal Acid Rain Permit Issuance Procedures § 72.63 Administrative record. (a... Rain permit or denial of an Acid Rain permit. The administrative record will contain: (1) The permit... permit or denial of a draft permit; (7) The Acid Rain permit; and (8) Any response to public comments...

40 CFR 72.50 - General.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... REGULATION Acid Rain Permit Contents § 72.50 General. (a) Each Acid Rain permit (including any draft or proposed Acid Rain permit) will contain the following elements in a format prescribed by the Administrator: (1) All elements required for a complete Acid Rain permit application under § 72.31 of this part, as...

40 CFR 76.3 - General Acid Rain Program provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 17 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false General Acid Rain Program provisions. 76.3 Section 76.3 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) ACID RAIN NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSION REDUCTION PROGRAM § 76.3 General Acid Rain Program provisions...