Integrated track splitting filter--efficient multi-scan single target tracking in clutter

A fully automatic tracking algorithm must be able to deal with an unknown number of targets, unknown target initiation and termination times, false measurements and possibly time-varying target trajectory behaviour. An efficient algorithm for tracking in this environment is presented here. This approach makes use of estimates of the probability of target existence, which is an integral part of the algorithm. This allows for the efficient generation and management of possible target hypotheses, yielding an algorithm with performance that matches what can be obtained by multiple hypothesis tracking-based approaches, but at a significantly lower computational cost. This paper considers only the single target case for clarity. The extension to multiple targets is easily incorporated into this framework. Simulation studies are given that show the effectiveness of this approach in the presence of heavy and nonuniform clutter when tracking a target in an environment of low probability of detection and in an environment where the target performs violent manoeuvres.     

Effect of Forbush decreases of cosmic ray flux on ozone at higher middle latitudes

The Forbush decreases of cosmic ray flux occur prevailingly together with geomagnetic storms, because these phenomena have a similar origin in solar/interplanetary processes. To study the effects of large Forbush decreases on total ozone at middle latitudes, we use the TOMS total ozone data along latitudinal circles 40°N and 50°N. The effects of Forbush decreases are found to occur or to be non-measurable under the same conditions as those of geomagnetic storms: certain effect occurs only at 50°N (not 40°N), in winter, under conditions of high solar activity and the east phase of the QBO. However, the effects of the analyzed Forbush decreases are weaker than the effects of strong geomagnetic storms.     

Trends in the Neutral and Ionized Upper Atmosphere

This article reviews our knowledge of long-term changes and trends in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. These changes are part of complex and comprehensive pattern of long-term trends in the Earth’s atmosphere. They also have practical impact. For example, decreasing thermospheric density causes the lifetime of orbiting space debris to increase, which is becoming a significant threat to important satellite technologies. Since the first paper on upper atmosphere trends was published in 1989, our knowledge has progressed considerably. Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases affect the whole atmosphere, not only the troposphere. They cause warming in the troposphere but cooling in the upper atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are not the only driver of long-term changes and trends in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. Anthropogenic changes of stratospheric ozone, long-term changes of geomagnetic and solar activity, and other drivers play a role as well, although greenhouse gases appear to be the main driver of long-term trends. This makes the pattern of trends more complex and variable. A?consistent, although incomplete, scenario of trends in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere is presented. Trends in F2-region ionosphere parameters, in mesosphere-lower thermosphere dynamics, and in noctilucent or polar mesospheric clouds, are discussed in more detail. Advances in observational and theoretical analysis have explained some previous discrepancies in this global trend scenario. An important role in trend investigations is played by model simulations, which facilitate understanding of the mechanisms behind the observed trends.     

双层旋转锥形液膜一次破碎特性数值研究

为了全面加深对锥形液膜一次破碎机理的认识,对双层锥形液膜的雾化过程进行了数值模拟,重点研究了压降和同轴旋转空气对双层液膜宏观形态、液膜破碎模式、液膜破碎长度和喷雾锥角等液膜一次破碎特性的影响。数值计算的喷雾场宏观形态与试验结果接近,喷雾锥角和索特尔平均直径的计算最大误差分别为4.9%、7.4%。研究表明：同轴旋转空气参与雾化会改变喷雾场的整体形态;增大压降和空气速度会改变液膜的破碎模式和主导表面波模式;双层液膜的合并会在液膜表面产生剧烈的表面波动,同时会略微增大液膜的喷雾锥角;液膜的破碎长度会随着压降和同轴旋转空气轴向速度的增大而减小。该研究有助于进一步研究双层液膜一次破碎的机理,从而指导对双路离心式喷嘴的雾化认识。     

Hard X-rays observation of her X-1

An hard X-Rays (15–170) KeV measurement of the spectrum of Her X-1, during a mid turn on is presented. The presence of an emission line at about 53 KeV during the mid-on state is confirmed by the present measure.     

Are Boltzmann plots of hydrogen Balmer lines a tool for identifying a subclass of S1 AGN?

It is becoming clear that we can define two different types of nearby AGN belonging to the Seyfert 1 class (S1), on the basis of the match of the intensities of their Broad Balmer Lines (BBL) with the Boltzmann Plots (BP). These two types of S1 galaxies, that we call BP-S1 and NoBP-S1, are characterized, in first approximation, by Broad Line Regions (BLR) with different structural and physical properties. In this communication, we show that these features can be well pointed out by a multi-wavelength analysis of the continuum and of the broad recombination Hydrogen lines, that we carry out on a sample of objects detected at optical and X-ray frequencies. The investigation is addressed to verify whether BP-S1 are the ideal candidates for the study of the kinematical and structural properties of the BLR, in order to derive reliable estimates of the mass of their central engine and to constrain the properties of their nuclear continuum spectrum.     

试飞院仿真技术发展中的几个问题

试飞院的飞行仿真工作主要围绕着改善模拟逼真度，提高仿真试验效率和效益及建立建模和仿真试验环境三方面开展工作。文章重点介绍了该院飞行仿真的总目标，总思路及实际应用情况，简要地叙述了其仿真技术和模拟器设施的发展，包括发展历史，现状和技术水平，还简要地说明了国外飞行仿真技术的发展。目的是为了加强试飞院的空地飞行模拟器的建设以适应我国航空工业发展的需要。     

Whole lichen thalli survive exposure to space conditions: results of Lithopanspermia experiment with Aspicilia fruticulosa

The Lithopanspermia space experiment was launched in 2007 with the European Biopan facility for a 10-day spaceflight on board a Russian Foton retrievable satellite. Lithopanspermia included for the first time the vagrant lichen species Aspicilia fruticulosa from Guadalajara steppic highlands (Central Spain), as well as other lichen species. During spaceflight, the samples were exposed to selected space conditions, that is, the space vacuum, cosmic radiation, and different spectral ranges of solar radiation (λ?≥?110, ≥200, ≥290, or ≥400?nm, respectively). After retrieval, the algal and fungal metabolic integrity of the samples were evaluated in terms of chlorophyll a fluorescence, ultrastructure, and CO(2) exchange rates. Whereas the space vacuum and cosmic radiation did not impair the metabolic activity of the lichens, solar electromagnetic radiation, especially in the wavelength range between 100 and 200?nm, caused reduced chlorophyll a yield fluorescence; however, there was a complete recovery after 72?h of reactivation. All samples showed positive rates of net photosynthesis and dark respiration in the gas exchange experiment. Although the ultrastructure of all flight samples showed some probable stress-induced changes (such as the presence of electron-dense bodies in cytoplasmic vacuoles and between the chloroplast thylakoids in photobiont cells as well as in cytoplasmic vacuoles of the mycobiont cells), we concluded that A. fruticulosa was capable of repairing all space-induced damage. Due to size limitations within the Lithopanspermia hardware, the possibility for replication on the sun-exposed samples was limited, and these first results on the resistance of the lichen symbiosis A. fruticulosa to space conditions and, in particular, on the spectral effectiveness of solar extraterrestrial radiation must be considered preliminary. Further testing in space and under space-simulated conditions will be required. Results of this study indicate that the quest to discern the limits of lichen symbiosis resistance to extreme environmental conditions remains open.     

不仅仅是奢侈品

跨界合作奢侈酒店横空山世奢侈品品牌个个都热衷于跨界合作,从LV的麻将牌到Hermes的自行车,从Dior的手机到Gucci的汽车。一个个看似毫无关联却又异常和谐的奢侈品陆续出现在公众视野中,有了奢侈品的加入,任何东西都能成为奢华的象征。因此,当奢侈品大鳄们踏足酒店业时,我们并不感到惊讶,这一切都是那么顺其自然。     

Observations and theory of cataclysmic variables: On progress and problems in understanding dwarf novae and nova-like stars

After brief historical and theoretical introductions to the field, observed properties of dwarf novae and non-magnetic nova-like stars are reviewed. Photometric observations splitted into events on time-scales of months to years (outburst light curves), hours (orbital light curves) and minutes and below (flickering and oscillations), respectively, and spectroscopic observations are presented. The emphasis is on one hand on the features common to many objects in an attempt to gain some impression on what could be considered typical features. On the other hand observations are highlighted that spectacularly deviate from these common trends as they may give some hint as to what the possible range of variability is. Whenever possible, the implications for the physical properties and possible models of the systems are pointed out. Furthermore, for each section the current status of the conceptual understanding and attempts to model this are briefly reviewed and, finally, confronted with the observations.