Linear Minimum Variance Estimation with Complex Phase Errors

The linear minimum variance estimator of a random signal, received multiplied by a complex Gaussian phase error and added to random noise, is investigated. The results apply to the propagation of images through the turbulent atmosphere, fading channels, and synthetic-aperture radar. Among others, a result is that the multiplicative error can be replaced by an additive error, usually white. The best signal modulation is found in two important special cases.     

Propulsion Systems for Space Operations: A Forward Look

Spacecraft propulsion is the area needing expansion of capabilities over the next several years. The capability for lofting large payloads (up to one-quarter million pounds) into space is virtually in hand. The ability to transport payloads and men in the space arena, to conduct rendezvous maneuvers, and to orbit and land on the planets, as well as the moon, now needs implementation in better and more efficient machinery. Transporting men to the planets is feasible with systems already demonstrated. Their development is a matter of decision, investment, and time.     

Performance analysis of radar antenna systems

If modern airborne radar systems are to function properly, the radar antenna radiation patterns must meet certain specifications. Until recently, most radar antennas were designed and tested in a clean antenna environment, i.e., there is no near field scattering from host structures or radome effects. However, these higher order effects are the matter of increasing concern with added performance demands in the ever-increasing jammer and clutter interference environments. We investigated the capabilities and limitations of currently available analysis techniques and computer codes for installed performance of airborne radar antenna systems. Then we developed an extended ray-optical technique that could predict total installed performance of airborne radar antenna systems, i.e., the near field scattering from aircraft structures and radome effects. The new analysis technique utilized a ray-tracing method in both airframe and radome simulation. Thus, it can efficiently predict the total installed performance of large radar antenna systems on an aircraft structure     

The gravireaction of Ceratodon protonemata treated with gibberellic acid.

Moss protonemata exhibit negative gravitropism and the amyloplasts of the apical cell seem to play a key role in protonemal gravisensitivity. However, the mechanisms of this process are still poorly understood. Previously, we have shown that Ceratodon protonemata grown on agar-medium demonstrated greater gravicurvature than protonemata grown on medium with 11 mM glucose. In this study, we have examined whether gibberellic acid (GA), which promotes alpha-amylase expression, influences graviresponse of C. purpureus protonemata (strains WT-4 and WT-U) and how this event interacts with exogenous soluble sugars. After gravistimulation the WT-4 strain curved about twice as fast as the WT-U strain. However, responses of both strains to added substances were similar. High concentration of glucose (0.11 M) caused a decrease in protonema curvature, while the same concentration of sucrose did not significantly change the angles of curvature compared with controls. GA at 0.1 mM and higher concentrations inhibited gravitropism, and caused some apical cells to swell. The possible involvement of the carbohydrates in gravitropism is discussed.     

Temporal Evolution of Artificial Solar Granules

We study the evolution of artificial granulation on the basis of 2-D hydrodynamical simulations. These clearly show that granules die in two different ways. One route to death is the well known bifurcation or fragmentation of a large granule into 2 smaller ones (exploding granules). The other pathway to death is characterized by merging intergranular lanes and the accompanying dissolution of the granule located between them. It is found that the lifetime and maximum brightness is independent of the way in which granules evolve and die. They clearly differ in size, however, with exploding granules being in general significantly larger. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) on RBSP

The Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) investigation on the NASA Radiation Belt Storm Probes (now named the Van Allen Probes) mission provides key wave and very low frequency magnetic field measurements to understand radiation belt acceleration, loss, and transport. The key science objectives and the contribution that EMFISIS makes to providing measurements as well as theory and modeling are described. The key components of the instruments suite, both electronics and sensors, including key functional parameters, calibration, and performance, demonstrate that EMFISIS provides the needed measurements for the science of the RBSP mission. The EMFISIS operational modes and data products, along with online availability and data tools provide the radiation belt science community with one the most complete sets of data ever collected.     

Identification of a discrete-time dynamical system

A novel generalized minimum variance (GMV) system identification algorithm is developed, and its performance is gauged against the established generalized least squares (GLS) estimation algorithm. The emphasis of the proposed GMV algorithm is on the rigorous treatment of measurement noise for dynamical system identification. A careful analysis of the measurement situation on hand yields a novel fixed-point calculation-based parameter estimation algorithm. The novel and established algorithms are compared in carefully performed and reproducible experiments which include measurement noise. Differences are apparent under small (measurement) sample operation, whereas under sufficient excitation, the algorithms produce statistically similar results     

Absorbed doses in October–November 2003 onboard the Russian segment of the International Space Station according to the data of radiation control system

The results of radiation control onboard the Service Module of the International Space Station are considered for the period of increased radiation background from 28 to 30 October, 2003. The values of additional irradiation dose caused by strong solar proton events on October 28 and 29, 2003 are obtained. A comparison is made with similar data obtained in the periods of disturbed radiation conditions of fall 2001. The results of estimating the dependence of the absorbed dose on the shield thickness, based on the onboard measurements, are presented. It is established that the daily-averaged dose power onboard the International Space Station increased after the solar proton events of October 2003.     

Mechanisms of spinal motoneurons survival in rats under simulated hypogravity on earth

It was previously shown that different cell types in vivo and in vitro may die via apoptosis under weightlessness conditions in space as well as in simulated hypogravity on the Earth. We assessed survivability of spinal motoneurons of rats after 35-day antiorthostatic hind limb suspension. Following weight bearing, unloading the total protein content in lumbar spinal cord is dropped by 21%. The electrophysiological studies of m. gastrocnemius revealed an elevated motoneurons’ reflex excitability and conduction disturbances in the sciatic nerve axons. The number of myelinated fibers in the ventral root of experimental animals was insignificantly increased by 35-day of antiorthostatic hind limb suspension, although the retrograde axonal transport was significantly decreased during the first week of simulated hypogravity. The results of the immunohistochemical assay with antibodies against proapoptotic protein caspase 9 and cytotoxicity marker neuron specific nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and the TUNEL staining did not reveal any signs of apoptosis in motoneurons of suspended and control animals. To examine the possible adaptation mechanisms activated in motoneurons in response to simulated hypogravity we investigated immunoexpression of Hsp25 and Hsp70 in lumbar spinal cord of the rats after 35-day antiorthostatic hind limb suspension. Comparative analysis of the immunohistochemical reaction with anti-Hsp25 antibodies revealed differential staining of motoneurons in intact and experimental animals. The density of immunoprecipitate with anti-Hsp25 antibodies was substantially higher in motoneurons of the 35-day suspended than control rats and the more intensive precipitate in this reaction was observed in motoneuron neuritis. Quantitative analysis of Hsp25 expression demonstrated an increase in the Hsp25 level by 95% in experimental rats compared to the control. The immunoexpression of Hsp70 found no qualitative and quantitative differences in control and experimental lumbar spinal cords. Taken together our results show that (1) rat motoneurons survived after 35-day antiorthostatic hind limb suspension and the changes in neurons had a mostly functional character, and (2) the increased immunoexpression of Hsp25 can be considered as the anti-apoptotic factor.