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At least 595 records · Page 33

A preliminary investigation of remotely piloted vehicles for airframe noise research

Aircraft noise encountered in the community is caused predominantly by the aircraft engines. However, expected advances in engine noise technology combined with recent experimental evidence indicate that airframe (nonpropulsive) noise, may be a significant aircraft noise component in the future. Thus, methods for research into control of this type of noise are being evaluated and a technique based on the remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) concept appears to overcome some of the difficulties encountered with other test techniques. In particular, this paper presents sample experimental data, gathered during a preliminary RPV experiment, which illustrate the high signal-to-noise ratio attainable with this technique. Further, since the data are recorded as transients or nonstationary signals, a method of measurement and analysis is presented which increases statistical confidence in the results.

Fratello, D. J.↗

Vertex evoked potentials in a rating-scale detection task - Relation to signal probability

Results of vertex-evoked potential studies conducted to determine how decision confidence level and decision probability interact to determine P3 amplitude for both signal-present and signal-absent decisions. They support the contention that the form of the vertex-evoked response is closely correlated with the subject's psychophysical response regarding the presence or absence of a threshold-level signal.

Squires, K. C.↗

Crab Nebula observations - 0.2-10 MeV

Observations of the total emission from the Crab Nebula and also of the pulsed component were made over the 0.2 to 10-MeV range during three balloon flights in 1971 with an actively-collimated NaI scintillator. The total emission flux was positively observed over the entire interval. The observed spectrum to 1 MeV agrees with an extrapolation of the E to the -2.2 power law, which fits lower-energy data. The observations above 1 MeV are factors of 3 and 20 above this law and are better fit with a spectral index of 0.8. Confidence levels are 3 sigma or better for each half-decade band. The three observations are consistent with a constant flux level. The NP 0532 flux, detected during one flight only (August 8) between 0.2 and 0.38 MeV, agrees with the exponential power law spectrum already determined from other observations. The possibility of a rapidly rising pulsed emission fraction over the 0.1- to 1-MeV interval is excluded by this observation.

Gruber, D. E.↗

Modeling arson - An exercise in qualitative model building

A detailed example is given of the role of von Neumann and Morgenstern's 1944 'expected utility theorem' (in the theory of games and economic behavior) in qualitative model building. Specifically, an arsonist's decision as to the amount of time to allocate to arson and related activities is modeled, and the responsiveness of this time allocation to changes in various policy parameters is examined. Both the activity modeled and the method of presentation are intended to provide an introduction to the scope and power of the expected utility theorem in modeling situations of 'choice under uncertainty'. The robustness of such a model is shown to vary inversely with the number of preference restrictions used in the analysis. The fewer the restrictions, the wider is the class of agents to which the model is applicable, and accordingly more confidence is put in the derived results. A methodological discussion on modeling human behavior is included.

Heineke, J. M.↗

Comparison of model and flight test data for an augmented jet flap STOL research aircraft

Aerodynamic design data for the Augmented Jet Flap STOL Research Aircraft or commonly known as the Augmentor-Wing Jet-STOL Research Aircraft was based on results of tests carried out on a large scale research model in the NASA Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. Since the model differs in some respects from the aircraft, precise correlation between tunnel and flight test is not expected, however the major areas of confidence derived from the wind tunnel tests are delineated, and for the most part, tunnel results compare favorably with flight experience. In some areas the model tests were known to be nonrepresentative so that a degree of uncertainty remained: these areas of greater uncertainty are identified, and discussed in the light of subsequent flight tests.

Cook, W. L.↗

An integrated study of earth resources in the state of California using remote sensing techniques

The author has identified the following significant results. A weighted stratified double sample design using hardcopy LANDSAT-1 and ground data was utilized in developmental studies for snow water content estimation. Study results gave a correlation coefficient of 0.80 between LANDSAT sample units estimates of snow water content and ground subsamples. A basin snow water content estimate allowable error was given as 1.00 percent at the 99 percent confidence level with the same budget level utilized in conventional snow surveys. Several evapotranspiration estimation models were selected for efficient application at each level of data to be sampled. An area estimation procedure for impervious surface types of differing impermeability adjacent to stream channels was developed. This technique employs a double sample of 1:125,000 color infrared hightflight transparency data with ground or large scale photography.

Colwell, R. N.↗

A study to define an in-flight dynamics measurement and data applications program for space shuttle payloads

Data measurement and interpretation techniques were defined for application to the first few space shuttle flights, so that the dynamic environment could be sufficiently well established to be used to reduce the cost of future payloads through more efficient design and environmental test techniques. It was concluded that: (1) initial payloads must be given comprehensive instrumentation coverage to obtain detailed definition of acoustics, vibration, and interface loads, (2) analytical models of selected initial payloads must be developed and verified by modal surveys and flight measurements, (3) acoustic tests should be performed on initial payloads to establish realistic test criteria for components and experiments in order to minimize unrealistic failures and retest requirements, (4) permanent data banks should be set up to establish statistical confidence in the data to be used, (5) a more unified design/test specification philosophy is needed, (6) additional work is needed to establish a practical testing technique for simulation of vehicle transients.

Rader, W. P.↗

Simulation and flight studies of an approach profile indicator for VTOL aircraft

Simulation and flight investigations were conducted by using a method of providing supplementary information to the pilot in conjunction with a closed-circuit-television display during a VTOL instrument final approach including deceleration and hover. The supplementary information included range, cross range, ground speed, altitude, and rate-of-climb error and was displayed on an instrument called an approach profile indicator. The display was arranged to provide both quasi-command and situation information. Pilot comments indicated that the approach-profile-indicator display concept in conjunction with the closed-circuit television resulted in a decreased pilot workload and an increase in pilot confidence. Also, the results indicated that the approach profile repeatability was significantly improved because of the ground-speed and altitude information provided on the approach profile indicator.

Moen, G. C.↗

Support of selected X-ray studies to be performed using data from the Uhuru (SAS-A) satellite

A new measurement of the diffuse X-ray emission sets more stringent upper limits on the fluctuations of the background and on the number counts of X-ray sources with absolute value of b 20 deg than previous measurements. A random sample of background data from the Uhuru satellite gives a relative fluctuation in excess of statistics of 2.0% between 2.4 and 6.9 keV. The hypothesis that the relative fluctuation exceeds 2.9% can be rejected at the 90% confidence level. No discernable energy dependence is evident in the fluctuations in the pulse height data, when separated into three energy channels of nearly equal width from 1.8 to 10.0 keV. The probability distribution of fluctuations was convolved with the photon noise and cosmic ray background deviation (obtained from the earth-viewing data) to yield the differential source count distribution for high latitude sources. Results imply that a maximum of 160 sources could be between 1.7 and 5.1 x 10 to the -11 power ergs/sq cm/sec (1-3 Uhuru counts).

Garmire, G. P.↗

Quantitative water quality with LANDSAT and Skylab

Correlation studies were completed between LANDSAT Multispectral Scanner (MSS) band ratios derived from computer compatible tape (CCT) and 170 water samples taken from three large Kansas reservoirs, coincident with 16 different LANDSAT passes over a 13 month period. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) LANDSAT MSS reflectance levels are useful for quantitative measurement of suspended solids up to at least 900 ppm, (2) MSS band ratios derived from CCT can measure suspended solids with 67% confidence level accuracy of 12 ppm over the range 0-80 ppm and 35 ppm over the range 0900 ppm, (3) suspended solids contour maps can be easily constructed from CCT for water bodies larger than approximately 100 acres, (4) rationing suppresses MSS reflectance level dependence on seasonal sun angle variation and permits measurement of suspended load the year round in the middle latitudes. SKYLAB imagery from a single pass over three reservoirs compares favorably to LANDSAT results up to 100 ppm.

Yarger, H. L.↗

The total Earth Resources System of the 1980's: A view of the future

The study was organized to address the total earth resources system in the broadest sense: distinguishing characteristics of the resources form the input, and information from user models forms the output. The effort began with a treatment of resource management requirements which traced information needs back to budgets, laws, and charters. These requirements were used to structure a 1980's scenario and to define thirty broad resource management missions (or applications) which could be confidently expected to be carried out by the future system. A classical systems approach was followed to assess the current state-of-the-art, structure system requirements, and to define the necessary platforms, sensors, and ground system architecture. The study of two resource management missions in additional detail was conducted to illuminate problems of transition from R&D to operational systems. The space shuttle's role in the system received special attention and a mission able to be served by an early flight was defined.

Cheeseman, C. E.↗

Upper limits to the quiet-time solar neutron flux from 10 to 100 MeV

The UCR large area solid-angle double scatter neutron telescope was flown to search for solar neutrons on 3 balloon flights on September 26, 1971, May 14, 1972 and September 19, 1972. The first two flights were launched from Palestine, Texas and the third from Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The float altitude on each flight was at about 5 g/sq cm residual atmosphere. Neutrons from 10 to 100 MeV were measured. No solar flares occurred during the flights. Upper limits to the quiet time solar neutron fluxes at the 95% confidence level are .00028, .00046, .00096 and .00090 neutrons/sq cm-sec in the energy intervals of 10-30, 30-50, 50-100 and 10-100 MeV, respectively.

Moon, S.↗

Interim analysis of long time creep behavior of columbium C-103 alloy

Analysis of 16 long time creep tests on columbium C-103 alloy (Cb-10Hf-1Ti-0.7Zr) indicates that the calculated stresses to give 1 percent creep strain in 100,000 hours at 1,255 K (1800 F) are 7.93 and 8.96 MPa (1,150 and 1,300 psi) for fine grained and course grained materials, respectively. The apparent activation energy and stress dependence for creep of this alloy are approximately 315 KJ/gmol (75,300 cal/gmol) and 2.51, respectively, based on Dorn-Sherby types of relations. However, the 90 percent confidence limits on these values are wide because of the limited data currently available.

Klopp, W. D.↗

Simulation techniques for estimating error in the classification of normal patterns

Methods of efficiently generating and classifying samples with specified multivariate normal distributions were discussed. Conservative confidence tables for sample sizes are given for selective sampling. Simulation results are compared with classified training data. Techniques for comparing error and separability measure for two normal patterns are investigated and used to display the relationship between the error and the Chernoff bound.

Whitsitt, S. J.↗

The use of LANDSAT-1 imagery in mapping and managing soil and range resources in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska

The author has identified the following significant results. Evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery for the Sand Hills region of Nebraska has shown that the data can be used to effectively measure several parameters of inventory needs. (1) Vegetative biomass can be estimated with a high degree of confidence using computer compatable tape data. (2) Soils can be mapped to the subgroup level with high altitude aircraft color infrared photography and to the association level with multitemporal ERTS-1 imagery. (3) Water quality in Sand Hills lakes can be estimated utilizing computer compatable tape data. (4) Center pivot irrigation can be inventoried from satellite data and can be monitored regarding site selection and relative success of establishment from high altitude aircraft color infrared photography. (5) ERTS-1 data is of exceptional value in wide-area inventory of natural resource data in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska.

Seevers, P. M.↗

Comparison of model and flight test data for an augmentor-wing STOL research aircraft

The major areas of confidence derived from wind tunnel tests performed on the Augmentor-Wing jet-STOL research aircraft were delineated and it was shown that, for the most part, tunnel results compare favorably with flight experience. Since the model differs in some respects from the actual aircraft, precise correlation between tunnel and flight tests results were not expected; in some areas the model tests were known to be non-representative so that a degree of uncertainty remained: these areas of greater uncertainty are identified and again discussed in the light of subsequent flight tests.

Cook, W. L.↗

An X-ray determination of the orbital elements of 3U 0900-40

The orbital elements of the 3U 0900-40 binary system were determined by measuring the variations in the arrival times of the 283-second X-ray pulses. The best-fit values of the system parameters and their 95% confidence limits are listed.

Mcclintock, J.↗

Forestry, geology and hydrological investigations from ERTS-1 imagery in two areas of Ecuador, South America

The author has identified the following significant results. In the Oriente area, well-drained forests containing commercially valuable hardwoods can be recognized confidently and delineated quickly on the ERTS imagery. In the tropical rainforest, ERTS can provide an abundance of inferential information about large scale geologic structures. ERTS imagery is better than normal aerial photography for recognizing linears. The imagery is particularly useful for updating maps of the distributary system of the Guagas River Basin and of any other river with a similarly rapid changing channel pattern.

Moreno, N. V.↗