A method for improving extended Kalman filter performance forangle-only passive ranging

A relatively simple method is presented which eliminates previously reported (Oct. 1985) erratic estimation performance associated with Cartesian formulations of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) for the 2D angle-only emitter location problem. The technique is based on an initialization procedure which combines a priori probability density function (pdf) information with single measurement a posteriori pdf information in a manner which is more efficient than the EKF. Simulation results are presented which demonstrate the utility of the technique as compared with a previously offered modified gain EKF     

Circumstellar chemistry from microwave and mm-wave spectroscopy.

Stars in their late stages of evolution often shed matter in the form of a cool wind which is molecular in composition. These winds are a major source of replenishment of the interstellar gas and dust, so they furnish a large part of the raw materials for new generations of stars and planets. The chemistry of the circumstellar envelope depends strongly on the photospheric abundances of the elements, especially C and O. If C/O > 1, a rich organic chemistry is observable in the microwave and mm-wavelength emission lines of the reactions products. This paper reviews the observational evidence for the presence of organic molecules and their formation pathways in circumstellar envelopes, with special emphasis on rotational spectra at microwave and millimeter wavelengths.     

Lower and upper limits to comet p/halley solid material loss rate

A radiative hydrodynamic model of comet P/Halley is used to investigate quantitatively the constraints imposed onto the Comet loss rate in solids by both the in-situ data and the remote sensing data. In particular, for the first time, the in-situ data are used to fit composite spectra extending from near-IR wavelengths to the microwave region. Also, for the first time the uncertainty affecting the ejection velocity of large grains is taken into account. The results suggest that only future rendez-vous studies of the grain density in the vicinity of a comet would be able to provide definitely reliable values of the comet loss rate.     

EUV emission from normal galaxies

Using data from the Wide Field Camera EUV all-sky survey, we have established upper limits to the EUV flux from a sample of 30 bright, nearby, non-active spiral galaxies. These galaxies were chosen to be those most likely to be detected in the EUV on the basis of (i) low interstellar absorption within our own galaxy, (ii) brightness in other wavebands, (iii) high star formation activity, and (iv) proximity. The derived EUV upper limits are restrictive, and establish for the first time that the EUV flux escaping from galaxies does not constitute a major component of their bolometric luminosity, and in particular that it cannot be the sink for the energy injected into the interstellar medium by supernova explosions, as had been suggested following the failure to detect this power in the X-ray band.     

Large lithium ion batteries for aerospace and aircraft applications

Eagle-Picher Energy Products (EPEP) has been manufacturing and testing large lithium ion cells (up to 100-Ah) for several years. Recently, work has focused on the testing of different chemistries at variable temperatures and designing and fabricating 100-Ah cylindrical cells. For the aircraft application the largest concern is irreversible capacity loss at elevated temperatures (70°C). In contrast, for the aerospace application shelf-life and cycle life are critical. EPEP has found that the major contributor to the loss in low temperature performance due to high temperature testing, was the positive electrode. EPEP discuss recent results of variable temperature cycling and 100-Ah cell performance     

Paramecium--a model system for studying cellular graviperception.

Experiments under varied gravitational accelerations as well as in density-adjusted media showed that sensation of gravity in protists may be linked to the known principles of mechanosensation. Paramecium, a ciliate with clear graviresponses (gravitaxis and gravikinesis) is an ideal model system to prove this hypothesis since the ciliary activity and thus the swimming behaviour is controlled by the membrane potential. It has also been assumed that the cytoplasmic mass causes a distinct stimulation of the bipolarly distributed mechano-sensitive K+ and Ca2+ ion channels in the plasma membrane in dependence of the spatial orientation of the cell. In order to prove this hypothesis, different channel blockers are currently under investigation. Gadolinium did not inhibit gravitaxis in Paramecium, showing that it does not specifically block gravireceptors. Further studies concentrated on the question of whether second messengers are involved in the gravity signal transduction chain. Exposure to 5 g for up to 10 min led to a significant increase in cAMP.     

Electric currents induced inside biological cells by geomagnetic and atmospheric phenomena.

An increasing number of studies have appeared in the last ten years indicating that some pathologies may correlate with geomagnetic activity and cosmic rays. However a physical mechanism binding both phenomena has not been proposed. In the present work we obtain the amplitude of the magnetic fields at different frequencies, that may induce inside biological cells currents of the same magnitude of the currents generated by the cells themselves. We compare these values with the wave amplitudes produced in geomagnetic and atmospheric phenomena, and found that micropulsations, whistlers and lightning are capable of produce the same or larger values.     

Rationale for the development of the UK defence standards forsafety-critical computer software

Changes in the procurement environment and developments in technology that will require the adoption of new development certification procedures within the next few years are examined. Characteristics of safety-critical computer systems and the safety problems posed by digital computers are described. The way in which the changes have influenced the preparation of the new draft defence standards offered for public debate in the UK prior to their formal adoption by the Ministry of Defence is discussed. Principle features of the future safety-critical systems policy are outlined. The use of Ada for safety-critical software is considered     

Century scale solar variability imprinted in the 44Ti activity in meteorites.

The measurements of gamma-activity of the 44Ti (T1/2 = 66.6 years) produced by spallation reaction of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) in Alfianello, Olivenza, Rio Negro, Dhajala and Torino meteorites, which fell in the time interval 1883 AD (Alfianello)-1988 AD (Torino), show a century scale modulation, connected to long-term solar-wind flux variations in the interplanetary space. The variation of the 44Ti activity with the time of fall of meteorites is qualitatively consistent with the Gleissberg solar cycle, but the amplitude is three-four times higher than expected (about 5%) for GCR flux modulated by solar activity, as determined solely by the sunspot number. The cosmogenic 44Ti is a suitable radioisotope for this investigation, but its activity in meteorites is very low. We performed these measurements in the underground low level counting station of Monte dei Cappuccini in Torino, by means of a big hyperpure Ge crystal (approximately 2 kg) in selective coincidence with a heavy NaI (T1) scintillation detector (approximately 28 kg). This system allows a reliable and non destructive measurement of 44Ti (44Sc) in meteorites of 200-1200 g in weight. The background is about 1 count per day in the gamma-peak at 1157 keV of 44Sc in equilibrium with its parent 44Ti. The high stability of the performance allows long-lasting runs (approximately 10(7) s) in order to attain results with a standard deviation up to about 10%.