41,923 research outputs found
Fundamental remote sensing science research program. Part 1: Scene radiation and atmospheric effects characterization project
Brief articles summarizing the status of research in the scene radiation and atmospheric effect characterization (SRAEC) project are presented. Research conducted within the SRAEC program is focused on the development of empirical characterizations and mathematical process models which relate the electromagnetic energy reflected or emitted from a scene to the biophysical parameters of interest
Investigating the Effects of Finite Resolution on Observed Transverse Jet Profiles
Both the emission properties and evolution of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)
radio jets are dependent on the magnetic fields that thread them. Faraday
Rotation gradients are a very important way of investigating these magnetic
fields, and can provide information on the orientation and structure of the
magnetic field in the immediate vicinity of the jet; for example, a toroidal or
helical field component should give rise to a systematic gradient in the
observed Faraday rotation across the jet, as well as characteristic intensity
and polarization profiles. However, real observed radio images have finite
resolution, usually expressed via convolution with a Gaussian beam whose size
corresponds to the central lobe of the point source response function. This
will tend to blur transverse structure in the jet profile, raising the question
of how well resolved a jet must be in the transverse direction in order to
reliably detect transverse structure associated with a helical jet magnetic
field. We present results of simulated intensity, polarization and Faraday
rotation images designed to directly and empirically investigate the effect of
finite resolution on observed transverse jet structures
Delayed Dynamical Systems: Networks, Chimeras and Reservoir Computing
We present a systematic approach to reveal the correspondence between time
delay dynamics and networks of coupled oscillators. After early demonstrations
of the usefulness of spatio-temporal representations of time-delay system
dynamics, extensive research on optoelectronic feedback loops has revealed
their immense potential for realizing complex system dynamics such as chimeras
in rings of coupled oscillators and applications to reservoir computing.
Delayed dynamical systems have been enriched in recent years through the
application of digital signal processing techniques. Very recently, we have
showed that one can significantly extend the capabilities and implement
networks with arbitrary topologies through the use of field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs). This architecture allows the design of appropriate filters and
multiple time delays which greatly extend the possibilities for exploring
synchronization patterns in arbitrary topological networks. This has enabled us
to explore complex dynamics on networks with nodes that can be perfectly
identical, introduce parameter heterogeneities and multiple time delays, as
well as change network topologies to control the formation and evolution of
patterns of synchrony
Experimental observation of chimera and cluster states in a minimal globally coupled network
A "chimera state" is a dynamical pattern that occurs in a network of coupled
identical oscillators when the symmetry of the oscillator population is broken
into synchronous and asynchronous parts. We report the experimental observation
of chimera and cluster states in a network of four globally coupled chaotic
opto-electronic oscillators. This is the minimal network that can support
chimera states, and our study provides new insight into the fundamental
mechanisms underlying their formation. We use a unified approach to determine
the stability of all the observed partially synchronous patterns, highlighting
the close relationship between chimera and cluster states as belonging to the
broader phenomenon of partial synchronization. Our approach is general in terms
of network size and connectivity. We also find that chimera states often appear
in regions of multistability between global, cluster, and desynchronized
states
Human factors analysis of workstation design: Earth Radiation Budget Satellite Mission Operations Room
A human factors analysis addressed three related yet distinct issues within the area of workstation design for the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) mission operation room (MOR). The first issue, physical layout of the MOR, received the most intensive effort. It involved the positioning of clusters of equipment within the physical dimensions of the ERBS MOR. The second issue for analysis was comprised of several environmental concerns, such as lighting, furniture, and heating and ventilation systems. The third issue was component arrangement, involving the physical arrangement of individual components within clusters of consoles, e.g., a communications panel
A human factors methodology for real-time support applications
A general approach to the human factors (HF) analysis of new or existing projects at NASA/Goddard is delineated. Because the methodology evolved from HF evaluations of the Mission Planning Terminal (MPT) and the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite Mission Operations Room (ERBS MOR), it is directed specifically to the HF analysis of real-time support applications. Major topics included for discussion are the process of establishing a working relationship between the Human Factors Group (HFG) and the project, orientation of HF analysts to the project, human factors analysis and review, and coordination with major cycles of system development. Sub-topics include specific areas for analysis and appropriate HF tools. Management support functions are outlined. References provide a guide to sources of further information
A Chandra Survey of Quasar Jets: First Results
We present results from Chandra X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of a
flux-limited sample of flat spectrum radio-emitting quasars with jet-like
extended structure. Twelve of twenty quasar jets are detected in 5 ks ACIS-S
exposures. The quasars without X-ray jets are not significantly different from
those in the sample with detected jets except that the extended radio emission
is generally fainter. New radio maps are combined with the X-ray images in
order to elucidate the relation between radio and X-ray emission in spatially
resolved structures. We find a variety of morphologies, including long straight
jets and bends up to 90 degrees. All X-ray jets are one-sided although the
radio images used for source selection often show lobes opposite the X-ray
jets. The FR II X-ray jets can all be interpreted as inverse Compton scattering
of cosmic microwave background photons by electrons in large-scale relativistic
jets although deeper observations are required to test this interpretation in
detail. Applying this interpretation to the jets as a population, we find that
the jets would be aligned to within 30 degrees of the line of sight generally,
assuming that the bulk Lorentz factor of the jets is 10.Comment: 25 pages with 5 pages of color figures; accepted for publication in
the Astrophysical Journal Supplements; higher resolution jpeg images are
available at http://space.mit.edu/home/jonathan/jets
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Designing graduate training programs in conservation medicine-producing the right professionals with the right tools.
New challenges to human, animal, and ecosystem health demand novel solutions: New diseases are emerging from new configurations of humans, their domestic animals and wildlife; new pressures on once robust and resilient ecosystems are compromising their integrity; synthetic compounds and engineered organisms, new to the natural world, are spreading unpredictably around the globe. Globalization provides opportunities for infectious organisms to gain access to new hosts, changing in distribution and virulence. What type of training should be developed to provide professionals with the right tools to meet these challenges? In this article, we offer recommendations for developing academic programs in conservation medicine. We discuss the need for, and the advantages to, using a conservation medicine approach to address real world situations and present illustrations of how this is applied today. We suggest a core set of skills that are needed in a conservation medicine practitioner, and recommend key considerations for designing new conservation medicine training programs. We review existing programs that offer conservation medicine content, and provide examples of where opportunities exist for those interested in pursuing a conservation medicine career
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