956 research outputs found
Multiple Model Adaptive Control of the Vista F-16
Multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) is investigated using the high-fidelity, nonlinear, six-degree-of-freedom Simulation Rapid-Prototyping Facility VISTA F-16. Detection of single actuator and sensor failures is considered, with an MMAC algorithm initially pursued which allows a controller specifically designed for each particular failure condition to replace the standard F-16 Block 40 flight control system (FCS) once the failure is detected. The synthesis of certain discrete-time LQG/PI controllers (those using control variables linearly dependent on state derivatives) is shown to be unattainable due to numerical difficulties. A novel control technique, termed control redistribution, is introduced which redistributes control commands (that would normally be sent to failed actuators) to the non-failed actuators, accomplishing the same control action on the aircraft. Multiple model adaptive estimation-based control redistribution is demonstrated to detect single failures in less than one second and to provide a response nearly identical to that anticipated from a fully functional aircraft in the same environment. Moreover, this method directly employs the proven Block 40 FCS, and no other, thereby guaranteeing desirable closed loop performance. A description of modifications necessary for in-flight testing is also provided. This research represents the most realistic simulation of multiple model adaptive control for flight control to date
Humans in Space: Summarizing the Medico-Biological Results of the Space Shuttle Program
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's flight that opened the era of Humans in Space we also commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) which was triumphantly completed by the flight of STS-135 on July 21, 2011. These were great milestones in the history of Human Space Exploration. Many important questions regarding the ability of humans to adapt and function in space were answered for the past 50 years and many lessons have been learned. Significant contribution to answering these questions was made by the SSP. To ensure the availability of the Shuttle Program experiences to the international space community NASA has made a decision to summarize the medico-biological results of the SSP in a fundamental edition that is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011 beginning 2012. The goal of this edition is to define the normal responses of the major physiological systems to short-duration space flights and provide a comprehensive source of information for planning, ensuring successful operational activities and for management of potential medical problems that might arise during future long-term space missions. The book includes the following sections: 1. History of Shuttle Biomedical Research and Operations; 2. Medical Operations Overview Systems, Monitoring, and Care; 3. Biomedical Research Overview; 4. System-specific Adaptations/Responses, Issues, and Countermeasures; 5. Multisystem Issues and Countermeasures. In addition, selected operational documents will be presented in the appendices. The chapters are written by well-recognized experts in appropriate fields, peer reviewed, and edited by physicians and scientists with extensive expertise in space medical operations and space-related biomedical research. As Space Exploration continues the major question whether humans are capable of adapting to long term presence and adequate functioning in space habitats remains to be answered We expect that the comprehensive review of the medico-biological results of the SSP along with the data collected during the missions on the space stations (Mir and ISS) provides a good starting point in seeking the answer to this question
Leptonic decays of the eta meson with the WASA detector at CELSIUS
Decay channels of the eta meson with at least one lepton pair in the final
state are discussed. Preliminary results on electron-positron pair production
from the pd->He eta reaction from the WASA experiment at CELSIUS are presented.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, prepared for Symposium on Meson Physics at
COSY-11 and WASA-at-COSY, Cracow, 17-22 June 200
Improving the efficiency of the cardiac catheterization laboratories through understanding the stochastic behavior of the scheduled procedures
Background: In this study, we sought to analyze the stochastic behavior of Catherization Laboratories (Cath Labs) procedures in our institution. Statistical models may help to improve estimated case durations to support management in the cost-effective use of expensive surgical resources. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all the procedures performed in the Cath Labs in 2012. The duration of procedures is strictly positive (larger than zero) and has mostly a large minimum duration. Because of the strictly positive character of the Cath Lab procedures, a fit of a lognormal model may be desirable. Having a minimum duration requires an estimate of the threshold (shift) parameter of the lognormal model. Therefore, the 3-parameter lognormal model is interesting. To avoid heterogeneous groups of observations, we tested every group-cardiologist-procedure combination for the normal, 2- and 3-parameter lognormal distribution. Results: The total number of elective and emergency procedures performed was 6,393 (8,186 h). The final analysis included 6,135 procedures (7,779 h). Electrophysiology (intervention) procedures fit the 3-parameter lognormal model 86.1% (80.1%). Using Friedman test statistics, we conclude that the 3-parameter lognormal model is superior to the 2-parameter lognormal model. Furthermore, the 2-parameter lognormal is superior to the normal model. Conclusions: Cath Lab procedures are well-modelled by lognormal models. This information helps to improve and to refine Cath Lab schedules and hence their efficient use.
Anisotropy in the pion angular distribution of the reaction pp -> pp pi0 at 400 MeV
The reaction pp -> pp pi0 was studied with the WASA detector at the CELSIUS
storage ring. The center of mass angular distribution of the pi0 was obtained
by detection of the gamma decay products together with the two outgoing
protons, and found to be anisotropic with a negative second derivative slope,
in agreement with the theoretical predictions from a microscopic calculation.Comment: Revtex 4 style, 5 pages 7 figures, PACS numbers:13.60.Le, 13.75.Cs,
21.45.+v, 25.10.+
Study of the p p -> p p pi+ pi- Reaction in the Low-Energy Tail of the Roper Resonance
Exclusive measurements of the p p -> p p pi+ pi- reaction have been carried
out at Tp = 775 MeV at CELSIUS using the PROMICE/WASA setup. Together with data
obtained at lower energy they point to a dominance of the Roper excitation in
this process. From the observed interference of its decay routes N* -> N sigma
and N* -> Delta pi -> N sigma their energy-dependent relative branching ratio
is determined
Observation of strong final-state effects in pi+ production in pp collisions at 400 MeV
Differential cross sections of the reactions and have been measured at MeV by detecting the charged
ejectiles in the angular range . The
deduced total cross sections agree well with those published previously for
neighbouring energies. The invariant mass spectra are observed to be strongly
affected by production and final-state interaction. The data are
well described by Monte Carlo simulations including both these effects. The
ratio of and cross sections also compares
favourably to a recent theoretical prediction which suggests a dominance of
-production in the relative -state.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figure
Search for Narrow NNpi Resonances in Exclusive p p -> p p pi+ pi- Measurements
Narrow structures in the range of a few MeV have been searched for in p p pi+
and p p pi- invariant mass spectra obtained from exclusive measurements of the
p p -> p p pi+ pi- reaction at Tp = 725, 750 and 775 MeV using the PROMICE/WASA
detector at CELSIUS. The selected reaction is particularily well suited for the
search for NN and / or N Delta decoupled dibaryon resonances. Except for a
possible fluctuation at 2087 MeV/c^2 in Mpppi- no narrow structures could be
identified neither in Mpppi+ nor in Mpppi- on the 3 sigma level of statistical
significance, giving an upper limit (95% C.L.) for dibaryon production in this
reaction of sigma < 20 nb for 2020 MeV/c^2 < m(dibaryon) < 2085 MeV/c^2Comment: 3 pages, 4 figure
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