Stochastic Transition Model for Discrete Agent Movements

We propose a calibrated two-dimensional cellular automaton model to simulate pedestrian motion behavior. It is a v=4 (3) model with exclusion statistics and random shuffled dynamics. The underlying regular grid structure results in a direction-dependent behavior, which has in particular not been considered within previous approaches. We efficiently compensate these grid-caused deficiencies on model level.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Satellite data for surface-mine inventory

To determine the feasibility of satellite data for surface-mine inventory, particularly as it applies to coal, a case study was conducted in Maryland. A band-ratio method was developed to measure disturbed surface areas, and it proved to be extendible both temporally and geographically. This method was used to measure area changes in the region over three time periods from September 1972 through July 1974 and to map the entire two-county area for 1973. For mines ranging between 31 and 244 acres (12 to 98 hectares) the measurement accuracy of total affected acreage was determined to be 92%. Mines of 120 acres (50 hectares) and larger were measured with greater accuracy, some within one percent of the actual area. The ability to identify, classify, and measure strip-mine surfaces in a two-county area (1,541 square kilometers - 595 square miles) of western Maryland was demonstrated through the use of computer processing. On the basis of these results the use of LANDSAT satellite data and multilevel sampling of aircraft and field verification inspections, multispectral analysis of digital data is shown to be an effective, rapid, and accurate means of monitoring the surface mining cycle

Strain-induced insulator state in La_0.7Sr_0.3CoO_3

We report on the observation of a strain-induced insulator state in ferromagnetic La_0.7Sr_0.3CoO_3 films. Tensile strain above 1% is found to enhance the resistivity by several orders of magnitude. Reversible strain of 0.15% applied using a piezoelectric substrate triggers huge resistance modulations, including a change by a factor of 10 in the paramagnetic regime at 300 K. However, below the ferromagnetic ordering temperature, the magnetization data indicate weak dependence on strain for the spin state of the Co ions. We interpret the changes observed in the transport properties in terms of a strain-induced splitting of the Co e_g levels and reduced double exchange, combined with a percolation-type conduction in an electronic cluster state

Reversible strain effect on the magnetization of LaCoO3 films

The magnetization of ferromagnetic LaCoO3 films grown epitaxially on piezoelectric substrates has been found to systematically decrease with the reduction of tensile strain. The magnetization change induced by the reversible strain variation reveals an increase of the Co magnetic moment with tensile strain. The biaxial strain dependence of the Curie temperature is estimated to be below 4K/% in the as-grown tensile strain state of our films. This is in agreement with results from statically strained films on various substrates

Capturing, using, and managing quality assurance knowledge for shuttle post-MECO flight design

Ascent initialization values used by the Shuttle's onboard computer for nominal and abort mission scenarios are verified by a six degrees of freedom computer simulation. The procedure that the Ascent Post Main Engine Cutoff (Post-MECO) group uses to perform quality assurance (QA) of the simulation is time consuming. Also, the QA data, checklists and associated rationale, though known by the group members, is not sufficiently documented, hindering transfer of knowledge and problem resolution. A new QA procedure which retains the current high level of integrity while reducing the time required to perform QA is needed to support the increasing Shuttle flight rate. Documenting the knowledge is also needed to increase its availability for training and problem resolution. To meet these needs, a knowledge capture process, embedded into the group activities, was initiated to verify the existing QA checks, define new ones, and document all rationale. The resulting checks were automated in a conventional software program to achieve the desired standardization, integrity, and time reduction. A prototype electronic knowledge base was developed with Macintosh's HyperCard to serve as a knowledge capture tool and data storage

The effect of parallel static and microwave electric fields on excited hydrogen atoms

Motivated by recent experiments we analyse the classical dynamics of a hydrogen atom in parallel static and microwave electric fields. Using an appropriate representation and averaging approximations we show that resonant ionisation is controlled by a separatrix, and provide necessary conditions for a dynamical resonance to affect the ionisation probability. The position of the dynamical resonance is computed using a high-order perturbation series, and estimate its radius of convergence. We show that the position of the dynamical resonance does not coincide precisely with the ionisation maxima, and that the field switch-on time can dramatically affect the ionisation signal which, for long switch times, reflects the shape of an incipient homoclinic. Similarly, the resonance ionisation time can reflect the time-scale of the separatrix motion, which is therefore longer than conventional static field Stark ionisation. We explain why these effects should be observed in the quantum dynamics. PACs: 32.80.Rm, 33.40.+f, 34.10.+x, 05.45.Ac, 05.45.MtComment: 47 pages, 20 figure

Dissipative Taylor-Couette flows under the influence of helical magnetic fields

The linear stability of MHD Taylor-Couette flows in axially unbounded cylinders is considered, for magnetic Prandtl number unity. Magnetic fields varying from purely axial to purely azimuthal are imposed, with a general helical field parameterized by \beta=B_\phi/B_z. We map out the transition from the standard MRI for \beta=0 to the nonaxisymmetric Azimuthal MagnetoRotational Instability (AMRI) for \beta\to \infty. For finite \beta, positive and negative wave numbers m, corresponding to right and left spirals, are no longer identical. The transition from \beta=0 to \beta\to\infty includes all the possible forms of MRI with axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric modes. For the nonaxisymmetric modes, the most unstable mode spirals in the opposite direction to the background field. The standard (\beta=0) MRI is axisymmetric for weak fields (including the instability with the lowest Reynolds number) but is nonaxisymmetric for stronger fields. If the azimuthal field is due in part to an axial current flowing through the fluid itself (and not just along the central axis), then it is also unstable to the nonaxisymmetric Tayler instability, which is most effective without rotation. For large \beta this instability has wavenumber m=1, whereas for \beta\simeq 1 m=2 is most unstable. The most unstable mode spirals in the same direction as the background field.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figure