Tethered satellite system

A reusable system is to be developed to enable a variety of scientific investigations to be accomplished from the shuttle, considering the use of a tethered system with manual or automated control, deployment of a satellite toward or away from the Earth, up to 100 km, and conducting or nonconducting tether. Experiments and scientific investigations are to be performed using the tether system for applications such as magnetometry, electrodynamics, atmospheric science, and chemical release. A program is being implemented as a cooperative U.S./Italian activity. The proposed systems, investigations, and the program are charted and briefly discussed

Bayesian threshold selection for extremal models using measures of surprise

Statistical extreme value theory is concerned with the use of asymptotically motivated models to describe the extreme values of a process. A number of commonly used models are valid for observed data that exceed some high threshold. However, in practice a suitable threshold is unknown and must be determined for each analysis. While there are many threshold selection methods for univariate extremes, there are relatively few that can be applied in the multivariate setting. In addition, there are only a few Bayesian-based methods, which are naturally attractive in the modelling of extremes due to data scarcity. The use of Bayesian measures of surprise to determine suitable thresholds for extreme value models is proposed. Such measures quantify the level of support for the proposed extremal model and threshold, without the need to specify any model alternatives. This approach is easily implemented for both univariate and multivariate extremes.Comment: To appear in Computational Statistics and Data Analysi

Black Cutworm Monitoring 2014: We Need Your Help!

Black cutworm moths are blown into Iowa with spring storms each year. The moths lay eggs in crop fields and emerging black cutworm larvae cut seedling corn (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). However, black cutworms are sporadic pests and scouting is essential to determine if management is necessary. To make scouting easier, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program at Iowa State University coordinates an annual monitoring network that uses moth trap captures and temperature data to estimate when farmers are most likely to see larvae in their fields

NETC Tank Farm Five Hazardous Waste Cleanup: An Investigation and Evaluation of Cleanup Practices for Waste Oil Tanks at NETC, Newport, RI

My intention in this paper is to focus on the chronic hazardous waste problem stemming from past disposal/storage practices. More specifically, to focus on two underground storage tanks at NETC which were used for the storage of hazardous waste (waste oil tanks). It is now common knowledge that old underground storage tanks throughout the country present a potential ground water contamination hazard which must be dealt with. Over the past decade naval installations have heightened their awareness of environmental responsibilities and implemented recycling programs for the disposal of paper, glass, etc. and have even established programs for fuel collection and recycling for heating plants. The navy and in this specific case the Naval Education and Training Center of Newport RI is currently paying the price for past hazardous waste mistakes