Possible episodic gamma-ray sources

A model for production of episodic -ray event at interaction of a moving gas target with, a beam of relativistic particles is proposed. The typical duration of -ray emission is limited by the flight time of the target across the beam as well as by the time of destruction and/or expulsion of the target by luminous beam. The time-dependent radiation spectra of the expanding and moving gas cloud irradiated by the beam are calculated for the galactic binary systems Her X-1 and AE Aquarii which are reported as episodic -ray emitters at very high energies. Some predictions and observational tests for the model are discussed.On leave from Yerevan Physics Institute, Armenia     

A three-dimensional plasma and energetic particle investigation for the wind spacecraft

This instrument is designed to make measurements of the full three-dimensional distribution of suprathermal electrons and ions from solar wind plasma to low energy cosmic rays, with high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, good energy and angular resolution, and high time resolution. The primary scientific goals are to explore the suprathermal particle population between the solar wind and low energy cosmic rays, to study particle accleration and transport and wave-particle interactions, and to monitor particle input to and output from the Earth's magnetosphere.Three arrays, each consisting of a pair of double-ended semi-conductor telescopes each with two or three closely sandwiched passivated ion implanted silicon detectors, measure electrons and ions above 20 keV. One side of each telescope is covered with a thin foil which absorbs ions below 400 keV, while on the other side the incoming <400 keV electrons are swept away by a magnet so electrons and ions are cleanly separated. Higher energy electrons (up to 1 MeV) and ions (up to 11 MeV) are identified by the two double-ended telescopes which have a third detector. The telescopes provide energy resolution of E/E0.3 and angular resolution of 22.5°×36°, and full 4 steradian coverage in one spin (3 s).Top-hat symmetrical spherical section electrostatic analyzers with microchannel plate detectors are used to measure ions and electrons from 3 eV to 30 keV. All these analyzers have either 180° or 360° fields of view in a plane, E/E0.2, and angular resolution varying from 5.6° (near the ecliptic) to 22.5°. Full 4 steradian coverage can be obtained in one-half or one spin. A large and a small geometric factor analyzer measure ions over the wide flux range from quiet-time suprathermal levels to intense solar wind fluxes. Similarly two analyzers are used to cover the wide range of electron fluxes. Moments of the electron and ion distributions are computed on board.In addition, a Fast Particle Correlator combines electron data from the high sensitivity electron analyzer with plasma wave data from the WAVE experiment (Bougeretet al., in this volume) to study wave-particle interactions on fast time scales. The large geometric factor electron analyzer has electrostatic deflectors to steer the field of view and follow the magnetic field to enhance the correlation measurements.     

Some active galactic nuclei as cosmological probes

A method of using AGNs as cosmological probes and some recent results are discussed. The method is based on fitting the Hedgehog model to observations of spectra, structure and polarization of AGN radio emission and time variations of the observed quantities. If red shifts of selected AGNs are known, extragalactic distances, the Hubble constant and the deceleration parameter of the Universe can be measured using only radio observations. Recent results may give new strong arguments for the basic model to be in agreement with observations of variable spectra and structure of many AGNs, and may allow preliminary selection of AGNs for further use.     

Multistage integration model for human egomotion perception

Human computational vision models that attempt to account for the dynamic perception of egomotion and relative depth typically assume a common three-stage process: first, compute the optical flow field based on the dynamically changing image; second, estimate the egomotion states based on the flow; and third, estimate the relative depth/shape based on the egomotion states and possibly on a model of the viewed surface. We propose a model more in line with recent work in human vision, employing multistage integration. Here the dynamic image is first processed to generate spatial and temporal image gradients that drive a mutually interconnected state estimator and depth/shape estimator. The state estimator uses the image gradient information in combination with a depth/shape estimate of the viewed surface and an assumed model of the viewer's dynamics to generate current state estimates; in tandem, the depth/shape estimator uses the image gradient information in combination with the viewer's state estimate and assumed shape model to generate current depth/shape estimates. In this paper, we describe the model and compare model predictions with empirical data.     

Optimal motion planning for dual-spacecraft interferometry

We address the question of design and optimal control of a class of dual-spacecraft interferometric imaging formations. The first main contribution is that we combine two ideas introduced separately in the literature and propose a maneuver that offers improved imaging performance. We then formulate an optimal control problem to minimize fuel consumption and maximize image quality by minimizing the relative speed, which is proportional to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the reconstructed image. We show that the necessary conditions are also sufficient and that the resulting optimal control is unique. Finally, we apply a continuation method to solve for the unique optimal trajectory.     

混合移频静刚度法和直接扰动迭代法

本文对混合移频动柔度法的失代式进行等价变换，从而得到一个“变种”，该变种不包含混合移频系统的动柔度式F^△（λ*），这便消除了F^△（λ*）带来的近似性，另外，对直接扰动法也进行等价变换，引出可以省时地用于许多特征向量导数计算的直接扰动迭代法。最后，为了供读者参数，本文还导出了三种混合移频动柔度法的非迭代式，其中有两种恰好是另外两种动柔度法经混合移频后的非迭代式，这实际上已将另两种动柔度法也扩展到密集根情况了。     

密集根之特征向量导数的改进高精度动柔度法

作者曾为许多特征向量导数计算，提出过一种介于直接法（指直接求解线代方程组的，以Nelson为代表的一类方法）和模态法之间的高精度动柔度法。这种方法与作者建立的一般动柔度法一样，不能用于密集根之特征向量导数的计算。为使该方法扩展到密集根状态，本文将作者发展的混合移频技术应用于原高精度动柔度法，并重新推导了混合移频系统 的高精度动柔度式，从而形成能适用于许多密集根之特征向量导数计算的改进高精度动柔度法。     

生物组织光学参数：优化散射系数（μ’s）的实时在位测定

利用了一套特殊设计光纤探头组成的稳定态光纤光谱仪测试生物组织的光学参数，从悬乳液(Intralpid)与模拟胶(Phantom)实验推导出优化散射系数(Reduced scattering coeffcient：μ’s)近红外谱测量经验公式。测量反射系数就可以计算出优化散射系数谱。计算结果用模拟胶作了验证，并对大鼠脑组织μ’s进行了实时在位测量，从而得到了一种μ’s在位测量的有效方法。     

Chromosome aberrations as biomarkers of radiation exposure: modelling basic mechanisms.

The space radiation environment is a mixed field consisting of different particles having different energies, including high charge and energy (HZE) ions. Conventional measurements of absorbed doses may not be sufficient to completely characterise the radiation field and perform reliable estimates of health risks. Biological dosimetry, based on the observation of specific radiation-induced endpoints (typically chromosome aberrations), can be a helpful approach in case of monitored exposure to space radiation or other mixed fields, as well as in case of accidental exposure. Furthermore, various ratios of aberrations (e.g. dicentric chromosomes to centric rings and complex exchanges to simple exchanges) have been suggested as possible fingerprints of radiation quality, although all of them have been subjected to some criticisms. In this context a mechanistic model and a Monte Carlo code for the simulation of chromosome aberration induction were developed. The model, able to provide dose-responses for different aberrations (e.g. dicentrics, rings, fragments, translocations, insertions and other complex exchanges), was further developed to assess the dependence of various ratios of aberrations on radiation quality. The predictions of the model were compared with available data, whose experimental conditions were faithfully reproduced. Particular attention was devoted to the scoring criteria adopted in different laboratories and to possible biases introduced by interphase death and mitotic delay. This latter aspect was investigated by taking into account both metaphase data and data obtained with Premature Chromosome Condensation (PCC).