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At least 739 records · Page 41

Acoustic and Genetic Data Can Reduce Uncertainty Regarding Populations of Migratory Tree-Roosting Bats Impacted by Wind Energy

Wind turbine-related mortality may pose a population-level threat for migratory tree-roosting bats, such as the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) in North America. These species are dispersed within their range, making it impractical to estimate census populations size using traditional survey methods. Nonetheless, understanding population size and trends is essential for evaluating and mitigating risk from wind turbine mortality. Using various sampling techniques, including systematic acoustic sampling and genetic analyses, we argue that building a weight of evidence regarding bat population status and trends is possible to (1) assess the sustainability of mortality associated with wind turbines; (2) determine the level of mitigation required; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures to ensure population viability for these species. Long-term, systematic data collection remains the most viable option for reducing uncertainty regarding population trends for migratory tree-roosting bats. We recommend collecting acoustic data using the statistically robust North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) protocols and that genetic diversity is monitored at repeated time intervals to show species trends. There are no short-term actions to resolve these population-level questions; however, we discuss opportunities for relatively short-term investments that will lead to long-term success in reducing uncertainty.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Preliminary geologic investigation of the Apollo 17 landing site

A geological investigation of the Apollo 17 lunar landing site was conducted. The Taurus-Littrow valley is interpreted as a deep graben formed by structural adjustment of lunar crustal material to the Serenitatis impact. Materials of the valley fill were sampled at many stations. Ejecta around many craters on the valley floor consist of basalt, showing that the graben was partly filled by lava flows. The geological objectives of the Apollo 17 mission are divided into orbital and lunar surface data collection. The data obtained for both types of investigation are presented in tables, photographs, and drawings.

Muehlberger, W. R.↗

ERTS operations and data processing

The overall communications and data flow between the ERTS spacecraft and the ground stations and processing centers are generally described. Data from the multispectral scanner and the return beam vidicon are telemetered to a primary ground station where they are demodulated, processed, and recorded. The tapes are then transferred to the NASA Data Processing Facility (NDPF) at Goddard. Housekeeping data are relayed from the prime ground stations to the Operations Control Center at Goddard. Tracking data are processed at the ground stations, and the calculated parameters are transmitted by teletype to the orbit determination group at Goddard. The ERTS orbit has been designed so that the same swaths of the ground coverage pattern viewed during one 18-day coverage cycle are repeated by the swaths viewed on all subsequent cycles. The Operations Control Center is the focal point for all communications with the spacecraft. NDPF is a job-oriented facility which processes and stores all sensor data, and which disseminates large quantities of these data to users in the form of films, computer-compatible tapes, and data collection system data.

Gonzales, L.↗

Earth resources data acquisition sensor study

The minimum data collection and data processing requirements are investigated for the development of water monitoring systems, which disregard redundant and irrelevant data and process only those data predictive of the onset of significant pollution events. Two approaches are immediately suggested: (1) adaptation of a presently available ambient air monitoring system developed by TVA, and (2) consideration of an air, water, and radiological monitoring system developed by the Georgia Tech Experiment Station. In order to apply monitoring systems, threshold values and maximum allowable rates of change of critical parameters such as dissolved oxygen and temperature are required.

Grohse, E. W.↗

An investigation of the waters in the lower Chesapeake Bay area

Since October of 1972 the Langley Research Center and the Old Dominion University have been engaged in a cooperative effort to investigate the waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay area. During the first year an intensive effort was made to collect water data at the time of Landsat-1 overpasses. Bands 5 and 6 of the multispectral scanner (MSS) were shown to be useful for monitoring total particles, although a daily calibration was required. Band 5 had a high correlation with sediment and under some conditions an internal correction for atmospheric interference was possible. The relation of sediment to particles was established by using the MSS radiance values, since the two parameters were not monitored at the same stations. A contouring program was developed to display the sediment variation in the lower Bay at the time of the Jan. 26, 1973, overpass. Attenuation coefficients monitored continuously by ship along three baselines were cross-correlated with radiance values on three days. Evidence for tidal effects was obtained by showing that correlations improved when ship data collected during the nearest 'tidal time' instead of physical time were used

Bowker, D. E.↗

Real time control of satellite tracking station operation for millimeter wave experiments and associated data processing

Real time control, data collection, and data reduction of an earth-satellite millimeter wave system are discussed. Experiment control and data processing requirements are considered with attention to signal data acquisition, weather data acquisition, support and control functions, task classifications, the fundamental data acquisition procedure, and the computer-experiment interface. The general analysis is applied to a description of the Communications Technology Satellite system and its hardware.

Kauffman, S. R.↗

Geostationary operational environmental satellite /GOES/ - A multifunctional satellite

The GOES satellites are multifunctional satellites whose primary function is to provide continuous measurements of the earth's surface and atmosphere from two geostationary orbit locations: 75 deg W and 135 deg W. This objective is accomplished with the visible infrared spin scan radiometer Atmospheric Sounder (VAS), and the Space Environment Monitor (SEM), which includes three instruments: a magnetometer, solar X-ray sensor, and an energetic particle sensor, which monitor the near earth space environment. The satellite's communication system provides several user oriented functions, including: (1) Transmission of VAS data; (2) Transmission of SEM data; (3) Transponder capabilities for stretched VAS (SVAS) data, weather facsimile (WEFAX) data, and trilateration signals; (4) transponder capabilities for data collection platform interrogation and data collection platform reply.

Mallette, L. A.↗

Real-time solar magnetograph operation system software design and user's guide

The Real Time Solar Magnetograph (RTSM) Operation system software design on PDP11/23+ is presented along with the User's Guide. The RTSM operation software is for real time instrumentation control, data collection and data management. The data is used for vector analysis, plotting or graphics display. The processed data is then easily compared with solar data from other sources, such as the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM).

Wang, C.↗

Investigation on experimental techniques to detect, locate and quantify gear noise in helicopter transmissions

A robotic system to automate the detection, location, and quantification of gear noise using acoustic intensity measurement techniques has been successfully developed. Major system components fabricated under this grant include an instrumentation robot arm, a robot digital control unit and system software. A commercial, desktop computer, spectrum analyzer and two microphone probe complete the equipment required for the Robotic Acoustic Intensity Measurement System (RAIMS). Large-scale acoustic studies of gear noise in helicopter transmissions cannot be performed accurately and reliably using presently available instrumentation and techniques. Operator safety is a major concern in certain gear noise studies due to the operating environment. The man-hours needed to document a noise field in situ is another shortcoming of present techniques. RAIMS was designed to reduce the labor and hazard in collecting data and to improve the accuracy and repeatability of characterizing the acoustic field by automating the measurement process. Using RAIMS a system operator can remotely control the instrumentation robot to scan surface areas and volumes generating acoustic intensity information using the two microphone technique. Acoustic intensity studies requiring hours of scan time can be performed automatically without operator assistance. During a scan sequence, the acoustic intensity probe is positioned by the robot and acoustic intensity data is collected, processed, and stored.

Flanagan, P. M.↗

Bio-optical profile data report: Joint Global Ocean Flux Study, Hawaii Ocean Time-Series, HOT-3, R/V Moana Wave, 6-10 January 1989

Time-series measurements of the incident surface downwelling irradiance and vertical profiles of the Bio-optical properties of the ocean have been measured during the third cruise of the Hawaii Ocean Time-Series to the ALOHA site, 22 degrees 56.4 minutes N, 157 degrees 54.6 minutes W, north of the island of Oahu, Hawaii, during the period January 6 to 10, 1989. A summary of these data is presented to permit investigators an overview of the data collected. The data are available in digital form for scientific investigators.

Collins, Donald J.↗

Heavy rain field measurements

A weight-measuring rain gauge was developed to collect rain data and configured to operate at a high sample rate (one sample pre second). Instead of averaging the rain rate in minutes, hours, and sometime days as normally performed, the rain data collected are examined in seconds. The results of six field sites are compiled. Rain rate levels, duration of downpours, and frequency of heavy rainfall events are presented.

Melson, ED↗

Hubble Space Telescope communications and data handling

The communications and data handling system of the HST are described in detail. Consideration is given to observation scheduling, commanding, telemetry, scientific data collection, spacecraft data handling systems, and the use of the TDRSS and NASCOM data network. The science instruments control and data handling subsystem is presented in schematic form.

Lesko, John↗

Bio-optical profile data report: Southern California Bight Study (SCB2-29) R/V Robert G. Sproul, 20-25 August 1988

Time series measurements of the incident surface downwelling irradiance and vertical profiles of the bio-optical properties of the ocean were studied during the 29th cruise of the Southern California Bight Study (SCBS) during the period of August 20-25, 1988. A summary of these data is presented to permit investigators an overview of the data collected. The data are available in digital form for scientific investigators.

Collins, Donald J.↗

Solar full-disk magnetic field image receiving system and observation software

The paper introduces terminal hardware system of 10 cm high resolution full-disk magnetic field telescope among solar multi-channel telescope produced by Beijing Astronomical Observatory, and its software procedure by using imaging processing as well real time data collecting. These data were processed by Sun Workstation 470/4, including doing some spectrum analysis, the system is unique in the world now. It uses a set of CCD (1320 pixels plus 1035 pixels) of high resolution image explosion, also it has a set of fast and high resolution (1024 pixel plus 1024 pixel) image processor. Moreover, we can obtain higher time and space resolution about solar full-disk magnetic field and velocity field. This will provide excellent means in observation and studies of full-disk solar large-scale magnetic field and velocity field.

Xu, Yan↗

Evaluation of Candidate Millimeter Wave Sensors for Synthetic Vision

The goal of the Synthetic Vision Technology Demonstration Program was to demonstrate and document the capabilities of current technologies to achieve safe aircraft landing, take off, and ground operation in very low visibility conditions. Two of the major thrusts of the program were (1) sensor evaluation in measured weather conditions on a tower overlooking an unused airfield and (2) flight testing of sensor and pilot performance via a prototype system. The presentation first briefly addresses the overall technology thrusts and goals of the program and provides a summary of MMW sensor tower-test and flight-test data collection efforts. Data analysis and calibration procedures for both the tower tests and flight tests are presented. The remainder of the presentation addresses the MMW sensor flight-test evaluation results, including the processing approach for determination of various performance metrics (e.g., contrast, sharpness, and variability). The variation of the very important contrast metric in adverse weather conditions is described. Design trade-off considerations for Synthetic Vision MMW sensors are presented.

Alexander, Neal T.↗

Observation of Upper and Middle Tropospheric Clouds

The goal of this research has been to identify and describe the properties of climatically important cloud systems critically important to understanding their effects upon satellite remote sensing and the global climate. These goals have been pursued along several different but complementary lines of investigation: the design, construction, testing and application of instrumentation; the collection of data sets during Intensive Field Observation periods; the reduction and analysis of data collected during IFO's; and completion of research projects specifically designed to address important and timely research objectives. In the first year covered by this research proposal, three papers were authored in the refereed literature which reported completed analyses of FIRE 1 IFO studies initiated under the previous NASA funding of this topic area. microphysical and radiative properties of marine stratocumulus cloud systems deduced from tethered balloon observations were reported from the San Nicolas Island site of the first FIRE marine stratocumulus experiment. Likewise, in situ observations of radiation and dynamic properties of a cirrus cloud layer were reported from first FIRE cirrus IFO based from Madison, Wisconsin. In addition, application techniques were under development for monitoring cirrus cloud systems using a 403 MHz Doppler wind profiler system adapted with a RASS (Radio Acoustic Sounding System) and an infrared interferometer system; these instrument systems were used in subsequent deployments for the FIRE 2 Parsons, Kansas and FIRE 2 Porto Santo, ASTEX expeditions. In November 1991 and in June 1992, these two systems along with a complete complement of surface radiation and meteorology measurements were deployed to the two sites noted above as anchor points for the respective IFO'S. Subsequent research activity concentrated on the interpretation and integration of the IFO analyses in the context of the radiative properties of cloud systems and our ability to remotely observe radiative, thermodynamic and dynamic properties of these cloud systems.

Cox, Stephen K.↗

Development and Utility of a Four-Channel Scanner for Wildland Fire Research and Applications

The Airborne Infrared Disaster Assessment System (AIRDAS) is a four-channel scanner designed and built at NASA-Ames for the specific task of supporting research and applications on fire impacts on terrestrial and atmospheric processes and also of serving as a vital instrument in the assessment of natural and man-induced disasters. The system has been flown on numerous airframes including the Navajo, King-Air, C0130, and Lear Jet 310 and a 206. The system includes a configuration composed of a 386 PC computer workstation, a non-linear detector amplifier, a sixteen-bit digitizer, dichroic filters, and Exabyte 8500 5Gb Tape output, VHS tape output, a Rockwell GPS and a 2-axis gyro. The AIRDAS system collects digital data in four wavelength regions, which can be filtered: band 1 (0.61-0.68 microns), band 2 (1.57-1.7 microns), band 3 (3.6-5.5 microns), and band 4 (5.5-13.0 microns), an FOV of 108 degrees, an IFOV of 2.62 mrads, and a digitized swath width of 720 pixels. The inclusion of the non-linear detector amplifier allows for the accurate measurement of emitted temperature from fires and hot spots. Lab testing of the scanner has indicated temperature assessments of 800 C without detector saturation. This has advantages over previous systems which were designed for thermal measurement of earth background temperatures, and were ill-equipped for accurate determination of high intensity conditions. The scanner has been flown successfully on data collection missions since 1992 in the western US as well as Brazil. These and other research and applications responses will be presented along with an assessment of future directions with the system.a

Ambrosia, Vincent G.↗

Monitoring Outpatient Care

Each year, health care costs for managing chronically ill patients increase as the life expectancy of Americans continues to grow. To handle this situation, many hospitals, doctors practices, and home care providers are turning to disease management, a system of coordinated health care interventions and communications, to improve outpatient care. By participating in daily monitoring programs, patients with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions requiring significant self-care are facing fewer emergency situations and hospitalizations. Cybernet Medical, a division of Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Cybernet Systems Corporation, is using the latest communications technology to augment the ways health care professionals monitor and assess patients with chronic diseases, while at the same time simplifying the patients interaction with technology. Cybernet s newest commercial product for this purpose evolved from research funded by NASA, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency. The research focused on the physiological assessment of astronauts and soldiers, human performance evaluation, and human-computer interaction. Cybernet Medical's MedStar Disease Management Data Collection System is an affordable, widely deployable solution for improving in-home-patient chronic disease management. The system's battery-powered and portable interface device collects physiological data from off-the-shelf instruments.

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