Antenna pattern control of planar arrays for long distance communications

As an alternative to standard antennas and due to the advent of low-cost digital processors and materials, adaptive antenna arrays are increasingly considered for applications in long distance communications. The pattern beam control potentialities provide the performance improvement of the communication systems. In this context, this work presents a technique that permits to synthesize the antenna pattern of a planar array. Considering that the relationship between the array factor and the array excitations for the far field region is a Fourier transform in the appropriate variables, the non-uniform sampling procedure is extended for planar arrays. These arrays permit a further control of the antenna pattern since two dimensions of space are used. The technique considers a number of array factor points equal to the array size, which is used to impose appropriated values in the antenna pattern. The produced array factor passes through those points with the desired values, which allows the synthesis of antenna patterns with appropriated characteristics. The theory is presented in order to develop the necessary direct expressions to calculate the array excitation. The array factor can be obtained using the inverse Fourier transform. As application examples, with this technique it is possible to define the level of each sidelobe of the antenna pattern, to control the main beam and to impose nulls in prescribed directions of the pattern.     

Height and time variability of planetary wave activity

The height–season and year-to-year regularities of parameters of first and second spatial harmonics determine the structure of the stratosphere and mesosphere circulation and its variability. In the period 1992–2002 at heights 0–55 km, the amplitudes and phases of the first and second spatial harmonics in the field of temperature, geopotential height, zonal and meridional wind were calculated by the method of harmonic decomposition. Dispersion (standard or mean square deviation) of their day-to-day and year-to-year variations was calculated by their wavelength constants. Height and season patterns of variability have been estimated. The difference in height–longitude variability for wave numbers m = 1 and 2 has been discovered. At the same time, the intensity of wave disturbances for m = 1 is less than for m = 2 excluding the polar areas, where a significant variability appears at the heights 0–55 km. There is also a tendency for the intensity of year-to-year variations to decrease in comparison with day-to-day variations. In cold and warm periods the amplitude of perturbation waves with m = 2 both for day-to-day and year-to-year variations is greater than for waves with m = 1. Transient height areas in the interval of 20–30 km are more distinct for day-to-day variations of polar area.     

Evaluation of the IRI model for the European region

The aim of this paper is to investigate various aspects of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) performance in European area and to evaluate its accuracy and efficiency for: long term prediction of the critical frequencies foF2 and the maximum usable frequencies (MUF); using storm-time correction option (ST); the total electron content (TEC) and the maximum observable frequency (MOF) updating. Data of foF2, TEC, MOF are related to 2005. It is obtained that median values of foF2 can be predicted with the mean error σ(med)∼ 0.49 MHz. For median values of MUF absolute σ was 1.39 MHz and relative σ_r was 8.8%. For instanteneous values estimates are increased to 1.58σ(med) MHz for foF2 and could reach 3.84 MHz for MUF. Using correction ST-option and TEC values provided ∼30% improvement but TEC seems to be more preferable. However, from considered parameters of the IRI updating (ST-factor, TEC, MOF) the best results were demonstrated by MOF. Using the IRI2007 to calculate TEC gives 20–50% improvement of TEC correspondence to experimental values but this improvement is not enough to treat TEC without the IRI model adaptation.     

Analysis of total visual and CCD V-broadband observations of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp): 1995–2001

We developed a general method for determination of water production rates from groundbased visual observations and applied it to Comet Hale–Bopp. Our main objective is to extend the method to include total visual magnitude observations obtained with CCD detector and V filter in the analysis of total visual magnitudes. We compare the CCD V-broadband careful observations of Liller [Liller, W. Pre-perihelion CCD photometry of Comet 1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp). Planet. Space Sci. 45, 1505–1513, 1997; Liller, W. CCD photometry of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp): 1995–2000. Int. Comet Quart. 23(3), 93–97, 2001] with the total visual magnitude observations from experienced international observers found in the International Comet Quarterly (ICQ) archive. A data set of ∼400 CCD observations covering about the same 6 years time span of the ∼12,000 ICQ selected total visual magnitude observations were used in the analysis. A least-square method applied to the water production rates, yields power laws as a function of the heliocentric distances for the pre- and post-perihelion phases. The average dimension of the nucleus as well as its effective active area is determined and compared with values published in the literature.     

The effects of composting on the nutritional composition of fibrous bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSS) plant waste residues and its impact on the growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Utilization of bio-regenerative life support systems (BLSS) plant waste residues as a nutritional source by Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has proven problematic as a result of high concentrations of fibrous compounds in the plant waste residues. Nutritional improvement of plant waste residues by composting with the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), and the effects on growth and nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia fed such residues were evaluated. Five Nile tilapia (mean weight = 70.9 ± 3.1 g) were stocked in triplicate aquaria and fed one of two experimental diets, cowpea (CP) and composted cowpea (CCP), twice daily for a period of 8 weeks. Composting of cowpea residue resulted in reduced concentrations of nitrogen-free extract, hemi-cellulose and trypsin inhibitor activity, though trypsin inhibitor activity remained high. Composting did not reduce crude fiber, lignin, or cellulose concentrations in the diet. No significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate, daily consumption, and food conversion ratio between tilapia fed CP and CCP. These results suggest that P. ostreatus is not a suitable candidate for culture in conjunction with the culture of Nile tilapia. Additional work is needed to determine what, if any, benefit can be obtained from incorporating composted residue as feed for Nile tilapia.     

Occurrence rate of SAR arcs during the 23rd solar activity cycle

The occurrence rate of SAR arcs during 1997–2007 has been analyzed based on the photometric observations at the Yakutsk meridian (Maimaga station, corrected geomagnetic coordinates: 57°N, 200°E). SAR arcs appeared in 114 cases (∼500 h) during ∼370 nights of observations (∼3170 h). The occurrence frequency of SAR arcs increases to 27% during the growth phase of solar activity and has a clearly defined maximum at a decline of cycle 23. The SAR arc registration probability corresponds to the variations in geomagnetic activity in this solar cycle. The dates, intervals of UT, and geomagnetic latitudes of SAR arc observations at the Yakutsk meridian are presented.     

Physical mechanism of the vertical electric field generation over active tectonic faults

The concept of the Global Electric Circuit (GEC) provides an explanation of the existence of a vertical atmospheric electric field and coupling between the ground and ionosphere. Presently, ionospheric physics pays more attention to electric fields and coupling processes in the polar and auroral regions, whereas in other areas the potential difference between the ground and ionosphere usually is not taken into account. Regional processes exist, however, that are able to significantly affect the GEC parameters and through modification of the ionospheric potential to create plasma density irregularities of different scales within the ionosphere. One such source of ionosphere modification is air ionization in the vicinity of active tectonic faults, which takes place due to increased radon emanation. This paper considers the process of local modification of the GEC and corresponding ionospheric variability due to tectonic activity.     

Increased BLSS closure using mineralized human waste in plant cultivation on a neutral substrate

The purpose of this work was to study the full-scale potential use of human mineralized waste (feces and urine) as a source of mineral elements for plant cultivation in a biological life support system (BLSS). Plants that are potential candidates for a photosynthesizing link were grown on a neutral solution containing human mineralized waste. Spring wheat Triticum aestivum L., peas Pisum sativum L. Ambrosia cultivar and leaf lettuce Lactuca sativa L., Vitaminny variety, were used. The plants were grown hydroponically on expanded clay aggregates in a vegetation chamber in constant environmental conditions. During plant growth, a determined amount of human mineralized waste was added daily to the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution remained unchanged throughout the vegetation period. Estimated plant requirements for macro-elements were based on a total biological productivity of 0.04 kg day⁻¹ m⁻². As the plant requirements for potassium exceeded the potassium content of human waste, a water extract of wheat straw containing the required amount of potassium was added to the nutrient solution. The Knop’s solution was used in the control experiments.     

Blood and small intestine cell kinetics under radiation exposures: Mathematical modeling

Mathematical models which describe the dynamics of two vital body systems (hematopoiesis and small intestinal epithelium) in mammals exposed to acute and chronic radiation are developed. These models, based on conventional biological theories, are implemented as systems of nonlinear differential equations. Their variables and constant parameters have clear biological meaning, that provides successful identification and verification of the models in hand. It is shown that the predictions of the models qualitatively and quantitatively agree with the respective experimental data for small laboratory animals (mice, rats) exposed to acute/chronic irradiation in wide ranges of doses and dose rates. The explanation of a number of radiobiological effects, including those of the low-level long-term exposures, is proposed proceeding from the modeling results. All this bears witness to the validity of employment of the developed models, after a proper identification, in investigation and prediction of radiation effects on the hematopoietic and small intestinal epithelium systems in various mammalian species, including humans. In particular, the models can be used for estimating effects of irradiation on astronauts in the long-term space missions, such as Lunar colonies and Mars voyages.     

Cosmic ray studies at Moussala – Past,present and future

We review the main activities carried out at Moussala peak (2925 m above sea level, 42°11′N, 23°35′E) station in Bulgaria, connected with cosmic ray investigations during the last five decades. Several important results obtained at the station are reported. The detector design and corresponding methodological studies of the presently operational devices are shown as well, precisely the Cherenkov light telescope, lead free neutron monitor and muon telescope. The scientific potential of the existing complex is discussed.