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At least 559 records · Page 31

Studies on cosmogenic nuclides in meteorites with regard to an application as potential depth indicators

Measurements of stable and radioactive spallation products in meteorites allow to investigate their histories, especially with respect to the exposure to galactic cosmic ray particles and the pre-atmospheric size of the object. While the concentrations of spallation products lead to the determination of exposure and terrestrial ages, production rate ratios are characteristic for the location of the sample in the meteorite. So, one of the aims of this investigation on meteorites is to obtain depth indicators from suitable pairs of cosmogenic nuclides. Because of the different depth profiles for nuclide productions it is necessary to determine the concentrations of a larger number of spallation products in aliquots of a single small sample. Such same sample measurements of Be-10 and light noble gases were performed on 15 ordinary chondrites (7 H- and 8 L-chondrites. Be-10 was determined by accelerator mass spectrometry and the noble gases were measured by static mass spectrometry. The results are summarized and discussed.

Sarafin, R.↗

Event-related potential indices of workload in a single task paradigm

Many previous studies of both behavioral and physiological correlates of cognitive workload have burdened subjects with a contrived secondary task in order to assess the workload of a primary task. The present study investigated event-related potential (ERP) indices of workload in a single task paradigm. Subjects monitored changing digital readouts for values that went 'out-of-bounds'. The amplitude of a long-latency positivity in the ERPs elicited by readout changes increased with the number of readouts being monitored. This effect of workload on ERPs is reported, along with plans for additional analyses to address theoretical implications.

Horst, R. L.↗

The Kronecker indices of affine-nonlinear control systems

The Kronecker indices of smooth affine-nonlinear control systems presently defined are noted to determine the collection of controllable linear systems that are obtainable on the basis of local feedback equivalences and state-space reductions. Because attention is given to the invariants of systems under equivalences, and the behavior of these invariants under mappings that arise from state submersions, local representations of systems are used wherever possible to render cases more accessible.

Lewis, J. H.↗

Quality indicators for trace gas concentrations determined from earthlimb emission spectra

Different techniques which can be used to indicate the quality of the mixing ratios retrieved from spectral radiance measurements made by the CLAES instrument for 11 different atmospheric gases are discussed. A key to retrieval from noisy data is the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), which is described. The use of the SVD with simulated data and radiance measurements from a balloon floating at 30 km is discussed.

Uplinger, W. G.↗

A new quantitative indicator of visual fatigue

Ocular-motor correlates of visual fatigue have remained elusive. Performance of ocular-motor tracking with a wide-band white noise input and the response of the dual-mode, smooth pursuit-saccadic eye movement system as output was used to test visual fatigue. A new visual fatigue indicator, VFI, was defined as the nonlinear remnant after subtracting an identified impulse response contribution to the output. Subjects were required to perform very fatiguing CRT screen reading tasks, and the VFI correlated well with the subjective reports of visual fatigue.

Goussard, Yves↗

Nightside plasmapause positions observed by DE-1 as a function of geomagnetic indices - Comparison with whistler observations and model calculations

The paper analyzes 28 plasmapause crossings made by the DE1 satellite in the night local time sector (from January to March 1982). Different signatures obtained by the Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer instrument have been used for this analysis. The observed plasmapause positions (Lpp) have been organized as a function of geomagnetic indices. They are compared with the empirical relationship deduced by Carpenter and Parks (1973) from whistler observations. Moreover, the dependence of Lpp versus Kp has been inferred from model calculations using Kp dependent electric and magnetic fields derived from McIlwain's (1974) E3H electric field model and M2 magnetic field model respectively. Stationary models as well as time dependent ones, have been used to determine the positions of the plasmapause. The results of the model calculations are compared to the observations.

Decreau, P. M. E.↗

Evidence of an infrared luminosity indicator for galaxies

To elucidate the nature of infrared-luminous galaxies discovered with the IRAS satellite, the optical and infrared luminosities of 1161 Markarian galaxies and 2146 'normal' galaxies from the CfA redshift survey are compared. Survival analysis statistical methods that take upper limits fully into account are used. It is found that L(IR)/L(B) is statistically correlated with L(60) in both samples, though they differ in the distribution at low luminosities. The derived correlation shows that L(IR)/L(B) provides an indicator for L(60). Since galaxies selected in unbiased IRAS surveys will have higher L(IR)/L(B) than optically selected galaxies, they are therefore also selected for high L(60).

Feigelson, Eric D.↗

Crystalline sulfur dioxide: Crystal field splittings, absolute band intensities and complex refractive indices derived from infrared spectra

The infrared absorption spectra of thin crystalline films of sulfur dioxide at 90 K are reported in the 2700 to 450/cm region. The observed multiplicity of the spectral features in the regions of fundamentals is attributed to factor group splittings of the modes in a biaxial crystal lattice and the naturally present minor S-34, S-36, and O-18 isotopic species. Complex refractive indices determined by an iterative Kramers-Kronig analysis of the extinction data, and absolute band strengths derived from them, are also reported in this region.

Khanna, R. K.↗

Lava fountain heights at Pu'u 'O'o, Kilauea, Hawaii - Indicators of amount and variations of exsolved magma volatiles

Factors most important in determining fountain height in Hawaiian-type basaltic eruptions were assessed on the basis of theoretical calculations and observations at Pu'u 'O'o vent, east rift zone of Kilauea, Hawaii. It is shown that fountain height is very sensitive to changes in exsolved gas content (and, thus, can be used to estimate variability in exsolved gas content) and relatively insensitive to large variations in volume flux. Volume flux was found to be the most important parameter determining the equilibrium vent diameter. The results of calculations also indicate that there was a general increase in magma gas content over the first 20 episodes of the Pu'u 'O'o eruption and that gas depletion took place in the conduit beneath the vent during repose periods.

Head, James W., III↗

Infrared band extinctions and complex refractive indices of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2

Thermal IR absorption intensities are obtained for thin films of crystalline C2H2 and C4H2 at 70 K, and their n and k complex refractive indices are ascertained by separating true film absorption from interface reflection on the basis of an analysis of the transmission spectrum ratio for two sample thicknesses. This method significantly simplifies the n and k iteration process. The n and k values determined in the laboratory will in most cases reproduce a given sample thickness' observed transmission to within + or - 5 percent.

Khanna, R. K.↗

Technique to select the optimum modulation indices for suppression of undesired signals for simultaneous range and data operations

An algorithm to search for the optimum set of modulation indices that will optimize a given simultaneous range/command/telemetry communications link is presented. This technique provides a way to suppress the ranging signal in order to limit performance degradation in the data channel due to interference from the ranging channel to a desired level, given a specified ranging accuracy. The link (when optimized) will (1) provide maximum available power to both the data and ranging channels for a specified degradation in the data channel so that it will transmit at the required data rate, (2) achieve a specified ranging accuracy over a maximum distance, under a certain set of conditions, and (3) provide adequate power for carrier tracking without degrading the data-channel thresholds. In addition, both data and ranging channels will fall below the threshold at the same point.

Nguyen, Tien Manh↗

Legislated emergency locating transmitters and emergency position indicating radio beacons

An emergency locating transmitting (ELT) system comprising a legislated ELT modified with an interface unit and connected by a multiwire cable to a remote control monitor (RCM), typically located at the pilot position. The RCM can remotely (1) test the ELT by disabling the legislated swept tone and allowing transmission of a single tone, (2) turn the ELT "on" for the legislated ELT transmission, and (3) reset the ELT to an "armed" condition. The RCM also provides visual and audio indications for transmitter operating condition as well as ELT battery condition. Removing the RCM or shorting or opening the interface input connections will not affect traditional ELT operation.

William R Wade↗

A free-trailing vane flow direction indicator employing a linear output Hall effect transducer

The Hall effect vane (HEV) was developed to measure flow angularity in the NASA 40-by-80-foot and 80-by-120-foot wind tunnels. This indicator is capable of sensing flow direction at air speeds from 5 to 300 knots and over a + or - 40 deg angle range with a resolution of 0.1 deg. A free-trailing vane configuration employing a linear output Hall effect transducer as a shaft angle resolver was used. The current configuration of the HEV is designed primarily for wind tunnel calibration testing; however, other potential applications include atmospheric, flight or ground research testing. The HEV met initial design requirements.

Zell, Peter T.↗

Selecting Modulation Indices For Telemetry And Ranging

Report describes algorithm for selection of optimum modulation indices in system for communication between ground station and spacecraft, in which ranging channel operated simultaneously with data (command and telemetry) channel. Provides for optimum division of power among data, ranging, and carrier channels and reduces degradation of performance by undesired interferences among signals.

Nguyen, Tien M.↗

Portable digital pressure indicator for calibrating magnetic tape recorders

The design of a portable Digital Pressure Indicator (DPI) to be used for calibrating the pressure systems on Langley's magnetic tape recorders is described. High-speed magnetic tape recorders require pressure (0 to 20 psig) for providing an air cushion across the tape guides and a slight vacuum (30 inch H2O) for maintaining the proper number of tape loops in the advance and feed chamber. The DPI is a hand-held device that can be quickly coupled to a magnetic tape recorder and includes a two-position switch for selecting either measured pressure or vacuum, to be displayed digitally in engineering units (psig or inches H2O). The DPI is currently in use in Langley's Analysis and Computation Division.

Mccormick, Royce F.↗

Trace gases in the atmosphere of Mars - An indicator of microbial life

The detection of certain trace gases in the atmosphere of Mars would indicate the presence of microbial life on the surface. Candidate biogenic gases include CH4, NH3, N2O, and several reduced sulfur species. Chemical thermodynamic equilibrium and photochemical calculations preclude the presence of these gases in any measurable concentrations in the atmosphere of Mars in the absence of biogenic production. A search for these gases utilizing either high-resolution (spectral and spatial) spectroscopy from a Mars orbiter, such as the Mars Observer orbiter, and/or in situ measurements from a Mars lander or rover is proposed.

Levine, Joel S.↗

Indications for ionospheric participation in the substorm process from AMPTE/CCE observations

Observations with the AMPTE/CCE spacecraft in the near-earth nightside magnetosphere show a significant enhancement of ionospheric particle presence, mainly O(+), at the beginning of the substorm growth phase. Such an enhancement indicates not only an ionospheric participation in the substorm initiation, but also an active role in the substorm growth phase.

Daglis, I. A.↗

Absorption intensities and complex refractive indices of crystalline HCN, HC3N, and C4N2 in the infrared region

IR absorption intensities are presented for thin crystalline films of HCN, HC3N, and C4N2, together with n and k complex refractive indices determined on the basis of an iterative program for the Kramers-Konig integral via a least-squares, point-by-point fitting of the experimental transmission data. It is established that the transmission spectra generated by means of these n and k values can reproduce the experimental transmission observation values to within + or - 2 percent.

Masterson, C. M.↗