Linear modelling of attentional resource allocation

Eight subjects time-shared performance of two compensatory tracking tasks under conditions when both were of constant difficulty, and when the control order of one task (designated primary) was varied over time within a trial. On line performance feedback was presented on half of the trials. The data are interpreted in terms of a linear model of the operator's attention allocation system, and suggest that this allocation is strongly suboptimal. Furthermore, the limitations in reallocating attentional resources between tasks, in response to difficulty fluctuations were not reduced by augmented performance feedback. Some characteristics of the allocation system are described, and reasons for its limitations suggested

Discrete fractional Radon transforms and quadratic forms

We consider discrete analogues of fractional Radon transforms involving integration over paraboloids defined by positive definite quadratic forms. We prove that such discrete operators extend to bounded operators from $\ell^p$ to $\ell^q$ for a certain family of kernels. The method involves an intricate spectral decomposition according to major and minor arcs, motivated by ideas from the circle method of Hardy and Littlewood. Techniques from harmonic analysis, in particular Fourier transform methods and oscillatory integrals, as well as the number theoretic structure of quadratic forms, exponential sums, and theta functions, play key roles in the proof.Comment: The statements of Propositions 3, 6, 7, and Theorem 1 have been corrected, and Corollary 1.1 has been adde

Computer program MCAP provides for steady state thermal and flow analysis of multiple parallel channels in heat generating solid

Computer program /MCAP/ calculates the temperature distribution in a heat generating solid complicated by nonuniform power and flow distributions between multiple channels. It determines the channel diameters coefficients, the effects of tolerences, the pressure drop at a given flowrate, or the flowrate for a specific pressure drop

Analysis of Adjoint Error Correction for Superconvergent Functional Estimates

Earlier work introduced the notion of adjoint error correction for obtaining superconvergent estimates of functional outputs from approximate PDE solutions. This idea is based on a posteriori error analysis suggesting that the leading order error term in the functional estimate can be removed by using an adjoint PDE solution to reveal the sensitivity of the functional to the residual error in the original PDE solution. The present work provides a priori error analysis that correctly predicts the behaviour of the remaining leading order error term. Furthermore, the discussion is extended from the case of homogeneous boundary conditions and bulk functionals, to encompass the possibilities of inhomogeneous boundary conditions and boundary functionals. Numerical illustrations are provided for both linear and nonlinear problems.\ud \ud This research was supported by EPSRC under grant GR/K91149, and by NASA/Ames Cooperative Agreement No. NCC 2-5431

An introduction to the adjoint approach to design

Optimal design methods involving the solution of an adjoint system of equations are an active area of research in computational fluid dynamics, particularly for aeronautical applications. This paper presents an introduction to the subject, emphasising the simplicity of the ideas when viewed in the context of linear algebra. Detailed discussions also include the extension to p.d.e.'s, the construction of the adjoint p.d.e. and its boundary conditions, and the physical significance of the adjoint solution. The paper concludes with examples of the use of adjoint methods for optimising the design of business jets.\ud \ud This research was supported by funding from Rolls-Royce plc, BAe Systems plc and EPSRC grants GR/K91149 and GR/L95700