Analysis of SPDEs Arising in Path Sampling Part I: The Gaussian Case

In many applications it is important to be able to sample paths of SDEs conditional on observations of various kinds. This paper studies SPDEs which solve such sampling problems. The SPDE may be viewed as an infinite dimensional analogue of the Langevin SDE used in finite dimensional sampling. Here the theory is developed for conditioned Gaussian processes for which the resulting SPDE is linear. Applications include the Kalman-Bucy filter/smoother. A companion paper studies the nonlinear case, building on the linear analysis provided here

A rocket-borne electrostatic analyzer for measurement of energetic particle flux

A rocket-borne electrostatic analyzer experiment is described. It is used to measure energetic particle flux (0.9 to 14 keV) in the nighttime midlatitude E region. Energetic particle precipitation is believed to be a significant nighttime ionization source, particularly during times of high geomagnetic activity. The experiment was designed for use in the payload of a Nike Apache sounding rocket. The electrostatic analyzer employs two cylindrical parallel plates subtending a central angle of 90 deg. The voltage waveform supplied to the plates is a series of steps synchronized to the spin of the payload during flight. Both positive and negative voltages are provided, extending the detection capabilities of the instrument to both electrons and protons (and positive ions). The development, construction and operation of the instrument is described together with a preliminary evaluation of its performance in a rocket flight

Energetic electrons in the midlatitude nighttime E region

Nike Apache 14.439 was launched from Wallops Island at 0003 EST on 1 November 1972, a very disturbed night (K sub P = 8). A Geiger counter in the payload detected electrons ( keV) with a maximum flux of 1086 + or -261/sq cm/sec/ster. The height-averaged ionization rate in the upper E region is calculated from the measured electron density profile and has a value of 35 1/cu/cm/sec. The ionization rate can be reconciled with the observed flux of electrons ( 70 2 keV) if the spectrum ( keV) is of the form J ( E) = J sub O exp(-E/E sub O) with E sub O equal to 8.3 keV. The ionization rate on this and other nights is found to be strongly dependent on geomagnetic activity. It is suggested that energetic electrons are the principal source of ionization at midlatitudes in the upper E region near midnight, even under rather quiet geomagnetic conditions

Universal Behavior of the Resistance Noise across the Metal-Insulator Transition in Silicon Inversion Layers

Studies of low-frequency resistance noise show that the glassy freezing of the two-dimensional (2D) electron system in the vicinity of the metal-insulator transition occurs in all Si inversion layers. The size of the metallic glass phase, which separates the 2D metal and the (glassy) insulator, depends strongly on disorder, becoming extremely small in high-mobility samples. The behavior of the second spectrum, an important fourth-order noise statistic, indicates the presence of long-range correlations between fluctuators in the glassy phase, consistent with the hierarchical picture of glassy dynamics.Comment: revtex4; 4+ pages, 5 figure

A feasibility study: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection utilization of infrared technologies for wildland fire suppression and management

NASA's JPL has completed a feasibility study using infrared technologies for wildland fire suppression and management. The study surveyed user needs, examined available technologies, matched the user needs with technologies, and defined an integrated infrared wildland fire mapping concept system configuration. System component trade-offs were presented for evaluation in the concept system configuration. The economic benefits of using infrared technologies in fire suppression and management were examined. Follow-on concept system configuration development and implementation were proposed

A Model for Energy Supply Systems Alternatives and their General Environmental Impact

The overall objective of the energy strategies modelling effort within IIASA's Energy Systems Program is to construct a set of multiregional models of the world to assist in the analysis and evaluation of regional and global energy strategies for the next 15 to 50 years. The energy system of each world region is characterized by a set of interrelated models, each dealing with a different aspect of energy systems analysis. These include (1) models of the macroeconomy; (2) inter-industry product flows; (3) energy demand; (4) primary energy resources; (5) energy supply technologies and their environmental impact; and of (6) the direct and indirect investment and operational requirements of energy systems. A global balance model of interregional trade in energy resources is under preparation for linking the set of regional models together. The present paper is concerned with item 5 above, namely the model MESSAGE, a Model for Energy Supply System Alternatives and Their General Environmental Impact. MESSAGE is formulated as a dynamic linear program for the comparison of new and existing supply technologies for the primary, secondary and end-use conversion and distribution of energy to satisfy each of the different components of a given energy demand. Constraints are imposed by the availability of primary energy resources and the carrying capacity of the environment. MESSAGE is an instrument designed to compare different energy supply and end-use technologies and to explore the consequences of pursuing a wide range of possible energy supply strategies under various assumptions concerning: the availability of primary energy supply; future energy conversion technologies; different levels of energy demand and end-use patterns; environmental control; and conservation of energy. The purpose of MESSAGE in particular, and of the modelling effort of the Energy Systems Program in general, is not to make predictions or forecasts but to clarify some of the major worldwide consequences of taking alternative energy policy choices at the regional and global levels. Although the model described here was conceived as an integral part of the multiregional energy study of the Energy Systems Program, it is a consistent entity which could be used independently of the other models in evaluating the energy supply strategies of individual nations

Structure Preserving Spatial Discretization of a 1-D Piezoelectric Timoshenko Beam

In this paper we show how to spatially discretize a distributed model of a piezoelectric beam representing the dynamics of an inflatable space reflector in port-Hamiltonian (pH) form. This model can then be used to design a controller for the shape of the inflatable structure. Inflatable structures have very nice properties, suitable for aerospace applications, e.g., inflatable space reflectors. With this technology we can build inflatable reflectors which are about 100 times bigger than solid ones. But to be useful for telescopes we have to achieve the desired surface accuracy by actively controlling the surface of the inflatable. The starting point of the control design is modeling for control. In this paper we choose lumped pH modeling since these models offer a clear structure for control design. To be able to design a finite dimensional controller for the infinite dimensional system we need a finite dimensional approximation of the infinite dimensional system which inherits all the structural properties of the infinite dimensional system, e.g., passivity. To achieve this goal first divide the one-dimensional (1-D) Timoshenko beam with piezoelectric actuation into several finite elements. Next we discretize the dynamics of the beam on the finite element in a structure preserving way. These finite elements are then interconnected in a physical motivated way. The interconnected system is then a finite dimensional approximation of the beam dynamics in the pH framework. Hence, it has inherited all the physical properties of the infinite dimensional system. To show the validity of the finite dimensional system we will present simulation results. In future work we will also focus on two-dimensional (2-D) models.

The heating of solar coronal loops by Alfvèn wave turbulence

This project was supported under contract NNM07AB07C from NASA to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and contract SP02H1701R from Lockheed Martin Space and Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL) to SAO.In this paper we further develop a model for the heating of coronal loops by Alfvèn wave turbulence (AWT). The Alfvèn waves are assumed to be launched from a collection of kilogauss flux tubes in the photosphere at the two ends of the loop. Using a three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) model for an active-region loop, we investigate how the waves from neighboring flux tubes interact in the chromosphere and corona. For a particular combination of model parameters we find that AWT can produce enough heat to maintain a peak temperature of about 2.5 MK, somewhat lower than the temperatures of 3 – 4 MK observed in the cores of active regions. The heating rates vary strongly in space and time, but the simulated heating events have durations less than 1 minute and are unlikely to reproduce the observed broad Differential Emission Measure distributions of active regions. The simulated spectral line non-thermal widths are predicted to be about 27 km s−1, which is high compared to the observed values. Therefore, the present AWT model does not satisfy the observational constraints. An alternative “magnetic braiding” model is considered in which the coronal field lines are subject to slow random footpoint motions, but we find that such long period motions produce much less heating than the shorter period waves launched within the flux tubes. We discuss several possibilities for resolving the problem of producing sufficiently hot loops in active regions.PostprintPeer reviewe

An efficient route to 1,3,5-triazido-2,4,6-tricyanobenzene

An efficient synthetic route starting from 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene is described for binary 1,3,5- triazido-2,4,6-tricyanobenzene. Besides 1,3,5-triazido-2,4,6-tricyanobenzene, all intermediates have been isolated and fully characterized