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At least 1,369 records · Page 76

Probability of illness definition for the Skylab flight crew health stabilization program

Management and analysis of crew and environmental microbiological data from SMEAT and Skylab are discussed. Samples were collected from ten different body sites on each SMEAT and Skylab crew-member on approximately 50 occasions and since several different organisms could be isolated from each sample, several thousand lab reports were generated. These lab reports were coded and entered in a computer file and from the file various tabular summaries were constructed.

Source record↗

Detection of 2.6-millimeter radiation probably due to nitrogen sulfide

Results are reported for observations of millimeter-wavelength radiation in Sgr B2 at two frequencies corresponding to the transitions between the J = 5/2 and J = 3/2 Lambda-doublet sublevels in the 2 Pi(1/2) state of nitrogen sulfide. Difficulties in making a positive identification of the source of this radiation are discussed which result from the apparently anomalous ratio of the hyperfine components. However, it is noted that observations of the d-state by Gottlieb et al. (1975) showing the hyperfine components more exactly in their optically thin ratio confirm that the observed radiation is due to nitrogen sulfide.

Kuiper, T. B. H.↗

A quasi-Newton approach to optimization problems with probability density constraints

A quasi-Newton method is presented for minimizing a nonlinear function while constraining the variables to be nonnegative and sum to one. The nonnegativity constraints were eliminated by working with the squares of the variables and the resulting problem was solved using Tapia's general theory of quasi-Newton methods for constrained optimization. A user's guide for a computer program implementing this algorithm is provided.

Tapia, R. A.↗

Identification of 180 million years old, probably unchanged melanine

The comparison of the infrared spectra of recent sepia melanine and of the content of the ink sac of fossilized cuttlefish indicates that the 180 million years old substance is unchanged melanine. Both substances behave identically on heating. Other procedures for identification of melanine are surveyed critically.

Beyermann, K.↗

Radiative lifetimes and transition probabilities for electric-dipole delta n equals zero transitions in highly stripped sulfur ions

The beam-foil time-of-flight method has been used to investigate radiative lifetimes and transition rates involving allowed intrashell transitions within the L shell of highly ionized sulfur. The results for these transitions, which can be particularly correlation-sensitive, are compared with current calculations based upon multiconfigurational models.

Pegg, D. J.↗

Turbulent plane Couette flow using probability distribution functions

A numerical scheme employing a combination of the discrete ordinate method and finite differences is developed for solving the one-dimensional form of Lundgren's (1967) model equation for turbulent plane Couette flow. The approach used requires no a priori assumption about the form of the turbulent distribution function, and the numerical solution is obtained directly from the governing differential equations. Two different types of boundary conditions (zero-gradient and Chapman-Enskog) for the distribution function are evaluated by comparing the numerical results with experimental data. It is found that: (1) the present approach gives convergent and stable results over a wide range of Reynolds numbers; (2) Lundgren's equation yields results that compare well with experimental data for mean velocity and skin friction in the case of simple Couette flow; (3) the zero-gradient boundary condition leads to a logarithmic flow profile; and (4) the Chapman-Enskog boundary condition provides very good agreement with experimental data when applied within the near-wall region.

Srinivasan, R.↗

Probable distribution of large impact basins on Venus - Comparison with Mercury and the moon

The reported study is based on the 12.5 cm wavelength data of Rumsey et al. (1974). The considered low resolution (80 km) radar image covers an area equivalent to 19% of the surface of Venus. The study had the objective to map potential large impact structures and relate their size frequency distribution to those of Mercury and the moon. The Venus radar map was analyzed using a color television film density slicer system for enhancement of subtle changes and gross patterns of contrasting radar reflectivity. Analysis by this technique permitted the recognition of 12 possible basins with diameters exceeding 600 km on about 8% of the total surface area of the planet. The preliminary basin size frequency distribution determined for Venus from these low resolution data suggests that the cloud-covered planet could be more cratered per unit area by basins than either the moon or Mercury.

Schaber, G. G.↗

Upper bound and probable value of the rate constant of the reaction OH + HO2 yields H2O + O2

Discharge-flow experiments at 295 K of the OH + HO2 reaction are described in which excess O3 is added to OH through a movable injector; OH concentration is measured downstream by resonance fluorescence with and without addition of excess NO just upstream of the detector so that both OH concentration and OH concentration + HO2 concentration are determined independently. The data are compared with a computer model involving 12 reaction steps. A simple sensitivity analysis is carried out to establish how errors in the other 'known' rate constants affect the data fit. Best agreement is obtained between computer calculations and experiments when k1 for the OH + HO2 reaction is in the range 2-3 x 10 to the -11th cu cm/s. Values above about 5 x 10 to the -11th are very unlikely whereas those below about 1 x 10 to the -11th are less strongly excluded.

Chang, J. S.↗

NASA gear research and its probable effect on rotorcraft transmission design

The results of the NASA gear research is reviewed as well as those programs which are presently being undertaken. Research programs studying pitting fatigue, gear steels and processing, life prediction methods, gear design and dynamics, elastohydrodynamic lubrication, lubrication methods and gear noise are presented. The impact of advanced gear research technology on rotorcraft transmission design is discussed.

Zaretsky, E. V.↗

The effect of transponder imperfections on the error probability performance of a satellite communication system

The bit error rate (BER) performance analysis of a data communication system is generally based on the assumption that signal waveforms are ideal and hardware-induced distortion is absent. In a satellite communication system such distortion arises in the satellite transponder, as well as in the transmitter and receiver portions. NASA, which is in the process of developing its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), is very much interested in understanding the impact of numerous forms of hardware distortion that have been identified on BER performance. The present paper examines the cumulative impact of nine forms of distortion induced by the transponder on BPSK and QPSK signals. For the present analysis, the transmitter and receiver are assumed to operate in essentially ideal fashions. Computed results indicate that BPSK and QPSK performances are affected in substantially different manners, with QPSK generally more sensitive to a given form of distortion. Cumulative distortion effects are illustrated via computed performance curves.

Weinberg, A.↗

NASA gear research and its probable effect on rotorcraft transmission design

The NASA Lewis Research Center devised a comprehensive gear technology research program beginning in 1969, the results of which are being integrated into the NASA civilian Helicopter Transmission System Technology Program. Attention is given to the results of this gear research and those programs which are presently being undertaken. In addition, research programs studying pitting fatigue, gear steels and processing, life prediction methods, gear design and dynamics, elastohydrodynamic lubrication, lubrication methods and gear noise are presented. Finally, the impact of advanced gear research technology on rotorcraft transmission design is discussed.

Zaretsky, E. V.↗