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At least 253 records · Page 14

Centrifugally driven diffusion of Iogenic plasma

The plasma distribution around Io as measured by Voyager 1 displays an asymmetric discontinuity at Io's orbit that has been suggested to be the signature of centrifugally driven interchange diffusion fed by plasma derived from Io. This hypothesis is explored further and found to be valid. The particular form for the diffusion coefficient appropriate to centrifugally driven turbulence is derived. The nonlinear character of this kind of diffusion is thereby made explicit. Solutions to the nonlinear, time-independent and linearized, time-dependent diffusion equations are given. These display a markedly conservative behavior. The nonlinear, steady state solutions are identical in form to the solutions of the previously studied equation of linear, atmospherically driven diffusion. The linearized, time-dependent solutions exhibit a negative feed-back quality that buffers the response of the density to changes in the source strength. Estimates of the source strength, the diffusion coefficient, and the signal propagation speed are also given.

Siscoe, G. L.↗

Helioseismology from the South Pole: Comparison of 1987 and 1981 Results

Full disk images with 10 arc sec pixels and filtered to a 7 A pass band centered on the Ca II K line were obtained from the geographic South Pole in 1981 and 1987. In 1981, 50hr of essentially uninterrupted data were obtained. In 1987, three such runs were obtained over a period of 325 hours for a duty cycle of 47 percent. The 1987 observations are characterized by a much lower level of solar activity than 1981, a much improved CCD camera, considerably better image stability and a varying amount of instrumental scatter. The 1987 data have a substantially better signal-to-noise ratio than the 1981 data so that oscillations with degrees from 0 to 150 and frequencies from 2 to 7 mHz are well observed. The observations were reduced to spectra in l, m, and v. A comparison of p-mode frequencies measured in 1981 and 1987, and coefficients of Legendre polynomial expansions of frequency shifts caused by solar rotation are presented. The time behavior of systematic frequency shifts which depend upon m but which do not arise from rotation is described.

Jefferies, S. M.↗

On-line estimation of error covariance parameters for atmospheric data assimilation

A simple scheme is presented for on-line estimation of covariance parameters in statistical data assimilation systems. The scheme is based on a maximum-likelihood approach in which estimates are produced on the basis of a single batch of simultaneous observations. Simple-sample covariance estimation is reasonable as long as the number of available observations exceeds the number of tunable parameters by two or three orders of magnitude. Not much is known at present about model error associated with actual forecast systems. Our scheme can be used to estimate some important statistical model error parameters such as regionally averaged variances or characteristic correlation length scales. The advantage of the single-sample approach is that it does not rely on any assumptions about the temporal behavior of the covariance parameters: time-dependent parameter estimates can be continuously adjusted on the basis of current observations. This is of practical importance since it is likely to be the case that both model error and observation error strongly depend on the actual state of the atmosphere. The single-sample estimation scheme can be incorporated into any four-dimensional statistical data assimilation system that involves explicit calculation of forecast error covariances, including optimal interpolation (OI) and the simplified Kalman filter (SKF). The computational cost of the scheme is high but not prohibitive; on-line estimation of one or two covariance parameters in each analysis box of an operational bozed-OI system is currently feasible. A number of numerical experiments performed with an adaptive SKF and an adaptive version of OI, using a linear two-dimensional shallow-water model and artificially generated model error are described. The performance of the nonadaptive versions of these methods turns out to depend rather strongly on correct specification of model error parameters. These parameters are estimated under a variety of conditions, including uniformly distributed model error and time-dependent model error statistics.

Dee, Dick P.↗

Asymptotic errors in adiabatic evolution

The adiabatic theorem in quantum mechanics implies that if a system is in a discrete eigenstate of a Hamiltonian and the Hamiltonian evolves in time arbitrarily slowly, the system will remain in the corresponding eigenstate of the evolved Hamiltonian. Understanding corrections to the adiabatic result that arise when the evolution of the Hamiltonian is slow—but not arbitrarily slow—has become increasingly important, especially since adiabatic evolution has been proposed as a method of state preparation in quantum computing. Here, this paper identifies two regimes, an adiabatic regime in which corrections are generically small and can depend on details of the evolution throughout the path, and a hyperadiabatic regime in which the error is given by a form similar to an asymptotic expansion in the inverse of the evolution time with the coefficients depending principally on the behavior at the endpoints. However, the error in this hyperadiabatic regime is neither given by a true asymptotic series nor solely dependent on the endpoints: the coefficients combine the contributions from both endpoints, with relative phase factors that depend on the average spectral gaps along the trajectory, multiplied by the evolution time. The central result of this paper is to identify a quantity, referred to as the typical error, which is obtained by appropriately averaging the error over evolution times that are small compared to the evolution time itself. This typical error is characterized by an asymptotic series and depends solely on the endpoints of the evolution, remaining independent of the details of the intermediate evolution.

adiabatic approximation↗

Geographic variations in the thermal and diffusive stability of ground ice on Mars

Time-dependent models of the thermal and diffusive behavior of the Martian regolith are developed to investigate the stability of ground ice within the top several meters of the regolith. The geographic distribution of thermal inertia and albedo as well as the latitudinal variation in insolation are included in calculations of surface and subsurface temperatures between +/- 60 deg latitude. Ground ice is found to be stable where the annual mean surface and subsurface temperatures were below the atmospheric frost point. Calculations of temperatures at high and low obliquity suggest that ground ice would be stable globally at high obliquity and would not be stable between +/- 60 deg latitude at low obliquity. The time scales for condensation of ground ice are found to be comparable to that of orbital oscillations, suggesting that the present geographic distribution of ground ice may depend on the orbital history of Mars.

Mellon, Michael T.↗

Nitramine smokeless propellant research

A transient ballistics and combustion model was derived to represent the closed vessel experiment that is widely used to characterize propellants. The model incorporates the nitramine combustion mechanisms. A computer program was developed to solve the time dependent equations, and was applied to explain aspects of closed vessel behavior. It is found that the rate of pressurization in the closed vessel is insufficient at pressures of interest to augment the burning rate by time dependent processes. Series of T-burner experiments were performed to compare the combustion instability characteristics of nitramine (HMX) containing propellants and ammonium perchlorate (AP) propellants. It is found that the inclusion of HMX consistently renders the propellant more stable.

Source record↗

The time-domain behavior of power-law noises

The power spectra of many geophysical phenomena are well approximated by a power-law dependence on frequency or wavenumber. A simple expression for the root-mean-square variability of a process with such a spectrum over an interval of time or space is derived. The resulting expression yields the powerlaw time dependence characteristic of fractal processes, but can be generalized to give the temporal variability for more general spectral behaviors. The method is applied to spectra of crustal strain (to show what size of strain events can be detected over periods of months to seconds) and of sea level (to show the difficulty of extracting long-term rates from short records).

Agnew, Duncan C.↗

Initial Time Dependence of Abundances in Solar Energetic Particle Events

We compare the initial behavior of Fe/O and He/H abundance ratios and their relationship to the evolution of the proton energy spectra in "small" and "large" gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events. The results are qualitatively consistent with the behavior predicted by the theory of Ng et al. (1999a, b). He/H ratios that initially rise with time are a signature of scattering by non-Kolmogorov Alfven wave spectra generated by intense beams of shock-accelerated protons streaming outward in large gradual SEP events.

Reames, Donald V.↗

Transport characteristics of a finite-difference dynamics model combined with a spectral transport model of the middle atmosphere

A three-dimensional off-line spectral transport model has been combined with a global, mechanistic, finite-difference dynamics model of the middle atmosphere in order to study transport and photochemistry in the middle atmosphere for specific, observed episodes. In this paper, the basic transport characteristics of the combined models are examined, first using steady, idealized flow fields and second using time-dependent flow fields closely related to observed atmospheric behavior. Transport conducted with the combined models is found to compare favorably with transport conducted on-line in the dynamics model, given appropriate time averaging of the flow fields and suitable choice of artificial diffusion.

Duncan, T.↗

Numerical experiments in climate stability.

Two semiempirical climate models are formulated as time-dependent problems in order to study the stability of their asymptotic steady state equilibrium solutions to perturbations in internal (in this case, initial) conditions. For fixed external conditions the time-dependent versions of these models exhibit fully transitive behavior to positive perturbations in initial conditions, slight intransivity to negative perturbations up to -18 K, and an ice-covered earth regime is obtained for extremely large negative perturbations in initial temperatures (below -18 K). The parametrization found to be most critical in these models is the albedo-temperature coupling, especially in tropical regions. The temperature albedo parametrization from an intransitive climate model used in a time-dependent form of one of the preceding models is found to be highly sensitive to negative perturbations in both internal and external conditions. Numerical experimentation with these semiempirical models shows the important role of the tropics in maintaining the equilibrium climate and suggests that the radiation balance in equatorial latitudes might have a controlling influence on the equatorward extent of the polar ice cap.

Schneider, S. H.↗

An experimental study of biaxial yield in modified 9Cr-1Mo steel at room temperature

Described are two biaxial experiments which investigated yield, hardening, and flow behavior in modified 9Cr-1Mo steel at room temperature. The aim of these experiments was to determine whether the procedures recommended in NE Standard F9-5T for inelastic design analysis are applicable for this material in normalized and tempered condition. The first experiment investigated small offset yield behavior subsequent to radial preloads (sq rt of 3 sub sigma 12 = sub sigma 11) in tension-torsion stress space. The second experiment investigated yield behavior subsequent to nonradial preloads and also the time-dependent flow occurring during 0.5 hour periods at constant stress. The results of these experiments were qualitatively similar to those obtained earlier for types 304 and 316 stainless steel. Specifically, the von Mises yield criterion was found to provide a reasonable approximation of initial yield behavior. Although the subsequent yield surfaces suffered considerable distortion from their near-circular form after both radial and nonradial preloads, the hardening behavior was to the first order kinematic in nature. The strain-time data obtained during the 0.5 hr hold periods showed characteristics typical of creep curves. As in the case of earlier experiments, the high initial flow rates diminished more rapidly than would be estimated from elevated temperature data.

Ellis, J. R.↗

Aeroheating Thermal Model Correlation for Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Solar Array

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Spacecraft made use of aerobraking to gradually reduce its orbit period from a highly elliptical insertion orbit to its final science orbit. Aerobraking produces a high heat load on the solar arrays, which have a large surface area exposed to the airflow and relatively low mass. To accurately model the complex behavior during aerobraking, the thermal analysis needed to be tightly coupled to the spatially varying, time dependent aerodynamic heating. Also, the thermal model itself needed to accurately capture the behavior of the solar array and its response to changing heat load conditions. The correlation of the thermal model to flight data allowed a validation of the modeling process, as well as information on what processes dominate the thermal behavior. Correlation in this case primarily involved detailing the thermal sensor nodes, using as-built mass to modify material property estimates, refining solar cell assembly properties, and adding detail to radiation and heat flux boundary conditions. This paper describes the methods used to develop finite element thermal models of the MGS solar array and the correlation of the thermal model to flight data from the spacecraft drag passes. Correlation was made to data from four flight thermal sensors over three of the early drag passes. Good correlation of the model was achieved, with a maximum difference between the predicted model maximum and the observed flight maximum temperature of less than 5%. Lessons learned in the correlation of this model assisted in validating a similar model and method used for the Mars Odyssey solar array aeroheating analysis, which were used during onorbit operations.

Amundsen, Ruth M.↗

Algorithms for elasto-plastic-creep postbuckling

This paper considers the development of an improved constrained time stepping scheme which can efficiently and stably handle the pre-post-buckling behavior of general structure subject to high temperature environments. Due to the generality of the scheme, the combined influence of elastic-plastic behavior can be handled in addition to time dependent creep effects. This includes structural problems exhibiting indefinite tangent properties. To illustrate the capability of the procedure, several benchmark problems employing finite element analyses are presented. These demonstrate the numerical efficiency and stability of the scheme. Additionally, the potential influence of complex creep histories on the buckling characteristics is considered.

Padovan, J.↗

Unified constitutive materials model development and evaluation for high-temperature structural analysis applications

Unified constitutive material models were developed for structural analyses of aircraft gas turbine engine hot section components with particular application to an isotropic material used for combustor liners. Differential forms of models independently developed were considered in this study. These models combine the interactions of time-dependent (creep) and time-independent (plasticity) inelastic behavior of a material. Predicted stress-strain responses from these models were evaluated against cyclic isothermal and nonisothermal test results for uniaxial specimens of a nickel-base superalloy. The unified models were implemented in a nonlinear structural analysis code. Two unique NASA Lewis test facilities were used in the evaluation of the models for complex geometry specimens and evaluation of advanced temperature and high-temperature strain measurement instrumentation. Predicted nonlinear structural responses from one of the models for a flat plate and a segment of a conventional combustor liner are presented.

Thompson, R. L.↗

The small amplitude magnetohydrodynamic Riemann problem

The small-amplitude MHD Riemann problem is studied using the Cohen-Kulsrud-Burgers equations. Unlike the coplanar Riemann problem, the evolution of noncoplanar Riemann problems is not self-similar and its flow structures could change in time. But its large-time behavior is very simple and a time-dependent 2 - 3 intermediate shock is always involved for the noncoplanar field rotations. The time-dependent 2 - 3 intermediate shock has a well-defined structure and exists for any degree of field rotation.

Wu, C. C.↗

Light and Gravity Effects on Circadian Rhythms of Rhesus Macaques

Temporal integration of a biological organism's physiological, behavioral and biochemical systems depends upon its circadian timing system. The endogenous period of this timing system is typically synchronized to the 24- hour day by environmental cues. The daily alternation of light and dark has long been known as one of the most potent environmental synchronizers influencing the circadian timing system. Alterations in the lighting environment (length or intensity of light exposure) can also affect the homeostatic state of the organism. A series of experiments was performed using rhesus monkeys with the objective of defining the fundamental properties of the circadian rhythm of body temperature. Three major experiments were performed in addition to several preliminary studies. These experiments explored 1.) the response of the rhesus body temperature rhythm to varying day length and light intensity; 2.) the response of the body temperature rhythm to light exposure as a function of time of day; and 3.) the characteristics of the metabolic heat production rhythm which is responsible for the daily cycle in body temperature. Results of these three completed experiments will be reported here. In addition, preliminary experiments were also performed in social entrainment of rhesus circadian rhythms and the properties of rhesus body temperature rhythms in constant conditions, where no external time cues were provided. Four adult male rhesus monkeys served as subjects in all experiments. All experiments were performed at the California Regional Primate Research Center. Each animal was implanted with a biotelemetry unit that measured deep body temperature. All surgeries were performed by a board certified veterinary surgeon under sterile conditions. The biotelemetry implants also provided an index of activity level in each animal. For metabolic heat production measurements, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured and the caloric equivalent of these was calculated. Specific methodologies are described in detail.

Fuller, Charles↗

Rapid Temporal Changes of Midtropospheric Winds

The statistical distribution of the magnitude of the vector wind change over 0.25-, 1-, 2-. and 4-h periods based on data from October 1995 through March 1996 over central Florida is presented. The wind changes at altitudes from 6 to 17 km were measured using the Kennedy Space Center 50-MHz Doppler radar wind profiler. Quality controlled profiles were produced every 5 min for 112 gates, each representing 150 m in altitude. Gates 28 through 100 were selected for analysis because of their significance to ascending space launch vehicles. The distribution was found to be lognormal. The parameters of the lognormal distribution depend systematically on the time interval. This dependence is consistent with the behavior of structure functions in the f(exp 5/3) spectral regime. There is a small difference between the 1995 data and the 1996 data, which may represent a weak seasonal effect.

Merceret, Francis J.↗