Practical Fusion of Quantized Measurements via Particle Filtering

Most treatments of decentralized estimation rely on some form of track fusion, in which local track estimates and their associated covariances are communicated. This implies a great deal of communication; and it was recently proposed that by an intelligent quantization directly of measurements, the communication needs could be considerably cut. However, several issues were not discussed. The first of these is that estimation with quantized measurements requires an update with a non-Gaussian distribution, reflecting the uncertainty within the quantization "bin."; In general this would be a difficult task for dynamic estimation, but Markov-chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC, and specifically here particle filtering) techniques appear quite appropriate since the resulting system is, in essence, a nonlinear filter. The second issue is that in a realistic sensor network it is to be expected that measurements should arrive out-of-sequence. Again, a particle filter is appropriate, since the recent literature has reported particle filter modifications that accommodate nonlinear-filter updates based on new past measurements, with the need to refilter obviated. We show results that indicate a compander/particle-filter combination is a natural fit, and specifically that quite good performance is achievable with only 2-3 bits per dimension per observation. The third issue is that intelligent quantization requires that both sensor and fuser share an understanding of the quantization rule. In dynamic estimation this is a problem since both quantizer and fuser are working with only partial information; if measurements arrive out-of-sequence the problem is compounded. We therefore suggest architectures, and comment on their suitabilities for the task. A scheme based on delta-modulation appears to be promising.     

Computational methods for the HZETRN code.

Asymptotic expansion has been used to simplify the transport of high charge and energy ions for broad beam applications in the laboratory and space. The solution of the lowest order asymptotic term is then related to a Green's function for energy loss and straggling coupled to nuclear attenuation providing the lowest order term in a rapidly converging Neumann series for which higher order collisions terms are related to the fragmentation events including energy dispersion and downshift. The first and second Neumann corrections were evaluated numerically as a standard for further analytic approximation. The first Neumann correction is accurately evaluated over the saddle point whose width is determined by the energy dispersion and located at the downshifted ion collision energy. Introduction of the first Neumann correction leads to significant simplification of the second correction term allowing application of the mean value theorem and a second saddle point approximation. The regular dependence of the second correction spectral dependence lends hope to simple approximation to higher corrections. At sufficiently high energy nuclear cross-section variations are small allowing non-perturbative methods to all orders and renormalization of the second corrections allow accurate evaluation of the full Neumann series.     

PPS-87: a new event oriented solar proton prediction model.

A new event-oriented solar proton prediction model has been developed and implemented at the USAF Space Environment forecast facility. This new model generates predicted solar proton time-intensity profiles for a number of user adjustable energy ranges and is also capable of making predictions for the heavy ion flux. The computer program is designed so a forecaster can select inputs based on the data available in near real-time at the forecast center as the solar flare is occurring. The predicted event amplitude is based on the electromagnetic emission parameters of the solar flare (either microwave or soft X-ray emission) and the solar flare position on the sun. The model also has an update capability where the forecaster can normalize the prediction to actual spacecraft observations of spectral slope and particle flux as the event is occurring in order to more accurately predict the future time-intensity profile of the solar particle flux. Besides containing improvements in the accuracy of the predicted energetic particle event onset time and magnitude, the new model converts the predicted solar particle flux into an expected radiation dose that might be experienced by an astronaut during EVA activities or inside the space shuttle.     

Subcellular components of the amphibian egg: insights provided by gravitational studies.

Most cytoplasmic regions of fertilized amphibian eggs move with respect to the gravity vector in experimentally gravity oriented eggs. The pattern and extent of this movement varies among different batches of eggs. This variation in apparent cytoplasmic viscosity (or, conversely, cytoplasmic mobility) can be correlated with variations in subsequent morphogenesis of experimental, gravitationally manipulated eggs. Therefore, the proper interpretation of gravity experiments with amphibian eggs requires that one understand the subcellular basis for this variation on cytoplasmic mobility. Variation in the packing of the major cytoplasmic organelle, the yolk platelets, or the organization and amount of cytoskeletal components may explain the variation in cytoplasmic mobility. Evidence is presented that the variation in yolk volume density (fraction of total cytoplasmic volume occupied by yolk platelets) does not account for the variation in cytoplasmic mobility in Xenopus laevis eggs. Experimental evidence from cold-shocked inverted eggs indicates that microtubules may be involved in determining cytoplasmic mobility. However, quantitative evidence that the microtubule levels and state of the microtubules (polymerized vs. non-polymerized) in the whole Xenopus laevis egg does not correlate directly with cytoplasmic mobility is presented. The apparent conflict these data represent regarding the role of the cytoskeleton in determining cytoplasmic mobility is discussed.     

On Team Games: A Computational Structural Analysis

Team games are studied here with one performance index for the team as a unit in competition with one common opponent. A structural analysis is presented with the intent to simplify the computation of optimal decision and communication processes. The minimum principle and calculus of variations are used to compute time-optimal and quadratic-optimal trajectories for certain linear "pursuit-evasion" games. A composition method is presented to compute an approximate solution to the two-versus-one problem from the solution to two one-versus-one problems. Help zones of a second pursuer to assist in the "capture" of an evader are derived. The hierarchical command and communication structure for a quadratic linear game of N pursuers and one evader is derived. An approximation is generated which has a convenient ripple or recursive structure.     

Gravitational biology and the mammalian circadian timing system.

Mammals have evolved under the influence of many selective pressures. Two of these pressures have been the static force of gravity and the daily variations in the environment due to the rotation of the earth. It is now clear that each of these pressures has led to specific adaptations which influence how organisms respond to changes in either gravity or daily time cues. However, several unpredicted responses to altered gravitational environments occur within the homeostatic and circadian control systems. These results may be particularly relevant to biological and medical issues related to spaceflight. This paper demonstrates that the homeostatic regulation of rat body temperature, heart rate, and activity become depressed following exposure to a 2 G hyperdynamic field, and recovers within 5-6 days. In addition, the circadian rhythms of these same variables exhibit a depression of rhythm amplitude; however, recovery required a minimum of 7 days.     

Current and potential productivity of wheat for a Controlled Environment Life Support System.

The productivity of higher plants is determined by the incident photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and the efficiency of the following four physiological processes: absorption of PPF by photosynthetic tissue, carbon fixation (photosynthesis), carbon use (respiration), and carbon partitioning (harvest index). These constituent processes are analyzed to determine theoretical and potentially achievable productivity. The effects of optimal environmental and cultural factors on each of these four factors is also analyzed. Results indicate that an increase in the percentage of absorbed photons is responsible for most of the improvement in wheat yields in an optimal controlled environment. Several trials confirm that there is an almost linear increase in wheat yields with increasing PPF. An integrated PPF of 150 mol m-2 d-1 (2.5 times summer sunlight) has produced 60 g m-2 d-1 of grain. Apparently, yield would continue to increase with even higher PPF's. Energy efficiency increased with PPF to about 600 micromoles m-2 s-1, then slowly decreased. We are now seeking to improve efficiency at intermediate PPF levels (1000 micromoles m-2 s-1) before further exploring potential productivity. At intermediate and equal integrated daily PPF levels, photoperiod had little effect on yield per day or energy efficiency. Decreasing temperature from 23 degrees to 17 degrees increased yield per day by 20% but increased the life cycle from 62 to 89 days. We hope to achieve both high productivity and energy efficiency.     

Mammalian cell cultivation in space.

Equipment used in space for the cultivation of mammalian cells does not meet the usual standard of earth bound bioreactors. Thus, the development of a space worthy bioreactor is mandatory for two reasons: First, to investigate the effect on single cells of the space environment in general and microgravity conditions in particular, and second, to provide researchers on long term missions and the Space Station with cell material. However, expertise for this venture is not at hand. A small and simple device for animal cell culture experiments aboard Spacelab (Dynamic Cell Culture System; DCCS) was developed. It provides 2 cell culture chambers, one is operated as a batch system, the other one as a perfusion system. The cell chambers have a volume of 200 microliters. Medium exchange is achieved with an automatic osmotic pump. The system is neither mechanically stirred nor equipped with sensors. Oxygen for cell growth is provided by a gas chamber that is adjacent to the cell chambers. The oxygen gradient produced by the growing cells serves to maintain the oxygen influx by diffusion. Hamster kidney cells growing on microcarriers were used to test the biological performance of the DCCS. On ground tests suggest that this system is feasible.     

Ultrastructural and growth indices of Chlorella culture in multicomponent aquatic systems under space flight conditions.

Submicroscopic organization of Chlorella cells cultivated under space flight conditions in three-component aquatic system has been studied. Comparison of the experimental cells with that of the controls revealed certain rearrangements of cell organelles particularly, a reduction in the amount of reserve polysaccharides in chloroplasts, increase of cell vacuolization and mitochondrion volume, complication configuration of plasmalemma evaginations and invaginations, and also disturbances in the process of cytokinesis. More over an increase in the number of Chlorella cells infected by bacteria was shown in the experimental variant. No considerable differences were established in the growth characteristics of the experimental and control populations. A comparative cytological analysis revealed general regularities of organelles in Chlorella cells cultivated under space flight condition in the uni- and multicomponent systems.