Multiple-model estimation with variable structure. III. Model-groupswitching algorithm

A general multiple-model (MM) estimator with a variable structure (VSMM), railed model-group switching (MGS) algorithm, is presented. It assumes that the total set of models can be covered by a number of model groups, each representing a cluster of closely related system behavior patterns or structures, and a particular group is running at any given time determined by a hard decision. This algorithm is the first VSMM estimator that is generally applicable to a large class of problems with hybrid (continuous and discrete) uncertainties. It is also easily implementable. It is illustrated, via a simple fault detection and identification example, that the MGS algorithm provides a substantial reduction in computation while having identical performance with the fixed-structure Interacting Multiple-Model (FSIMM) estimator     

Accumulation of tumor suppressor p53 in rat muscle after a space flight.

Tumor suppressor p53 functions as a cell cycle checkpoint under stressful conditions. Early studies have shown that genotoxic stress activates p53 pathway. Recently, many kinds of non-genotoxic stress such as heat shock, cold shock, and low pH also have been found to activate p53 pathway. The effects on living organism remains to be explored. Here, we show that an 18-day space flight induced a 3.6 fold accumulation of p53 in rat skeletal muscle. This results suggests that the p53 pathway plays a role in safeguarding genomic stability against the stressful space environments and supports our previous observation of p53 accumulation in rat skin after a space flight.     

Inertial Flight Mode and Semiconductor Segregation Patterns

In this work, a 2D time-dependent Bridgman model has been used to analyze the impact of the inertial flight mode on the resulting crystal dopant homogeneity. To be as near as possible to the experimentalists, the discussion has been based on the computed solid dopant segregation. Excepting a few cases at the lowest value of gravity, 1 g, the model is amazingly sensitive to the orbital characteristics. In effect, alternated dopant structures appear recorded in the solid phases as clear fingerprints of the nonlinear vibroconvective flow effects acting along the simulated growth processes. Thus, to improve crystal homogeneity, some strategies should be introduced to eliminate also these pernicious effects.     

Evaluation of estimation algorithms part I: incomprehensive measures of performance

Practical metrics for performance evaluation of estimation algorithms are discussed. A variety of metrics useful for evaluating various aspects of the performance of an estimation algorithm is introduced and justified. They can be classified in two different ways: 1) absolute error measures (without a reference), relative error measures (with a reference), or frequency counts (of some events), and 2) optimistic (i.e., how good the performance is), pessimistic (i.e., how bad the performance is), or balanced (neither optimistic nor pessimistic). Pros and cons of these metrics and the widely-used RMS error are explained. The paper advocates replacing the RMS error in many cases by a measure called average Euclidean error     

Global ena Image Simulations

The energetic neutral atom (ENA) images obtained by the ISEE and POLAR satellites pointed the way toward global imaging of the magnetospheric plasmas. The Imager for Magnetopause to Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) is the first mission to dedicate multiple neutral atom imagers: HENA, MENA and LENA, to monitor the ion distributions in high-, medium- and low-energy ranges, respectively. Since the start of science operation, HENA, MENA and LENA have been continuously sending down images of the ring current, ionospheric outflow, and magnetosheath enhancements from high pressure solar wind. To unfold multiple-dimensional (equal or greater than 3) plasma distributions from 2-dimensional images is not a trivial task. Comparison with simulated ENA images from a modeled ion distribution provides an important basis for interpretation of features in the observed images. Another approach is to develop image inversion methods to extract ion information from ENA images. Simulation studies have successfully reproduced and explained energetic ion drift dynamics, the transition from open to closed drift paths, and the magnetosheath response to extreme solar wind conditions. On the other hand, HENA has observed storm-time ion enhancement on the nightside toward dawn that differs from simple concepts but can be explained using more sophisticated models. LENA images from perigee passes reveal unexpected characteristics that now can be interpreted as evidence for a transient superthermal exospheric component that is gravitationally-influenced if not bound. In this paper, we will report ENA simulations performed during several IMAGE observed events. These simulations provide insight and explanations to the ENA features that were not readily understandable previously.     

WHISPER, A RESONANCE SOUNDER AND WAVE ANALYSER: PERFORMANCES AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE CLUSTER MISSION

The WHISPER sounder on the Cluster spacecraft is primarily designed to provide an absolute measurement of the total plasma density within the range 0.2–80 cm^-3. This is achieved by means of a resonance sounding technique which has already proved successful in the regions to be explored. The wave analysis function of the instrument is provided by FFT calculation. Compared with the swept frequency wave analysis of previous sounders, this technique has several new capabilities. In particular, when used for natural wave measurements (which cover here the 2–80 kHz range), it offers a flexible trade-off between time and frequency resolutions. In the basic nominal operational mode, the density is measured every 28 s, the frequency and time resolution for the wave measurements are about 600 Hz and 2.2 s, respectively. Better resolutions can be obtained, especially when the spacecraft telemetry is in burst mode. Special attention has been paid to the coordination of WHISPER operations with the wave instruments, as well as with the low-energy particle counters. When operated from the multi-spacecraft Cluster, the WHISPER instrument is expected to contribute in particular to the study of plasma waves in the electron foreshock and solar wind, to investigations about small-scale structures via density and high-frequency emission signatures, and to the analysis of the non-thermal continuum in the magnetosphere.     

Origin of organic matter in the protosolar nebula and in comets.

Comet organics are traced to their origin in interstellar space. Possible sources of comet organics from solar nebula chemistry are briefly discussed. The infrared spectra of interstellar dust are compared with spectra of solar (space) irradiated laboratory organic residues and with meteorites. The spectra compare very favorably. The atomic composition of first generation laboratory organic residues compares favorably with that of comet Halley organics if divided into appropriate "volatile" (less refractory) and "refractory" (more refractory) complex organics.     

Advanced architectures for real-time Delay-Doppler Map GNSS-reflectometers: The GPS reflectometer instrument for PAU (griPAU)

In recent years Global Navigation Satellite System’s signals Reflectometry (GNSS-R) has stood as a potential powerful remote sensing technique to derive scientifically relevant geophysical parameters such as ocean altimetry, sea state or soil moisture. This has brought out the need of designing and implementing appropriate receivers in order to track and process this kind of signals in real-time to avoid the storage of huge volumes of raw data. This paper presents the architecture and performance of the Global Positioning System (GPS) Reflectometer Instrument for PAU (griPAU), a real-time high resolution Delay-Doppler Map reflectometer, operating at the GPS L1 frequency with the C/A codes. The griPAU instrument computes 24 × 32 complex points DDMs with configurable resolution (Δf_Dmin = 20 Hz, Δτ_min = 0.05 chips) and selectable coherent (minimum = 1 ms, maximum = 100 ms for correlation loss Δρ < 90%) and incoherent integration times (minimum of one coherent integration period and maximum not limited but typically <1 s). A high sensitivity (DDM peak relative error = 0.9% and DDM volume relative error = 0.03% @ T_i = 1 s) and stability (Δρ/Δt = −1 s⁻¹) have been achieved by means of advanced digital design techniques.     

飞机隔热结构热桥效应分析与实验

针对飞机隔热结构中金属筋条的热桥问题,设计了两类典型飞机隔热结构构型。为了研究分析热桥效应对隔热性能的影响,对各构型进行瞬态热传导有限元分析,得到在热面温度分别为100℃,200℃,300℃,424℃时考核点的温度,并通过隔热性能实验验证了有限元方法的有效性。结果表明:热桥对隔热结构的隔热性能有较大影响,设计隔热结构时应充分考虑热桥现象;提出了热桥阻断的方法。     

探讨反舰导弹突防编队防御阵的航路规划

针对舰群编队强大的反导能力,建立描述反舰导弹威胁源的广义数字高程模型,探讨以提高生存力和突防能力为目标的航路规划对策。