Multispectral processing based on groups of resolution elements

Several nine-point rules are defined and compared with previously studied rules. One of the rules performed well in boundary areas, but with reduced efficiency in field interiors; another combined best performance on field interiors with good sensitivity to boundary detail. The basic threshold gradient and some modifications were investigated as a means of boundary point detection. The hypothesis testing methods of closed-boundary formation were also tested and evaluated. An analysis of the boundary detection problem was initiated, employing statistical signal detection and parameter estimation techniques to analyze various formulations of the problem. These formulations permit the atmospheric and sensor system effects on the data to be thoroughly analyzed. Various boundary features and necessary assumptions can also be investigated in this manner

K-orbit closures on G/B as universal degeneracy loci for flagged vector bundles with symmetric or skew-symmetric bilinear form

We use equivariant localization and divided difference operators to determine formulas for the torus-equivariant fundamental cohomology classes of $K$-orbit closures on the flag variety $G/B$, where G = GL(n,\C), and where $K$ is one of the symmetric subgroups O(n,\C) or Sp(n,\C). We realize these orbit closures as universal degeneracy loci for a vector bundle over a variety equipped with a single flag of subbundles and a nondegenerate symmetric or skew-symmetric bilinear form taking values in the trivial bundle. We describe how our equivariant formulas can be interpreted as giving formulas for the classes of such loci in terms of the Chern classes of the various bundles.Comment: Minor revisions and corrections suggested by referees. Final version, to appear in Transformation Group

Improvements in estimating proportions of objects from multispectral data

Methods for estimating proportions of objects and materials imaged within the instantaneous field of view of a multispectral sensor were developed further. Improvements in the basic proportion estimation algorithm were devised as well as improved alien object detection procedures. Also, a simplified signature set analysis scheme was introduced for determining the adequacy of signature set geometry for satisfactory proportion estimation. Averaging procedures used in conjunction with the mixtures algorithm were examined theoretically and applied to artificially generated multispectral data. A computationally simpler estimator was considered and found unsatisfactory. Experiments conducted to find a suitable procedure for setting the alien object threshold yielded little definitive result. Mixtures procedures were used on a limited amount of ERTS data to estimate wheat proportion in selected areas. Results were unsatisfactory, partly because of the ill-conditioned nature of the pure signature set

Reaction Diffusion and Ballistic Annihilation Near an Impenetrable Boundary

The behavior of the single-species reaction process $A+A\to O$ is examined near an impenetrable boundary, representing the flask containing the reactants. Two types of dynamics are considered for the reactants: diffusive and ballistic propagation. It is shown that the effect of the boundary is quite different in both cases: diffusion-reaction leads to a density excess, whereas ballistic annihilation exhibits a density deficit, and in both cases the effect is not localized at the boundary but penetrates into the system. The field-theoretic renormalization group is used to obtain the universal properties of the density excess in two dimensions and below for the reaction-diffusion system. In one dimension the excess decays with the same exponent as the bulk and is found by an exact solution. In two dimensions the excess is marginally less relevant than the bulk decay and the density profile is again found exactly for late times from the RG-improved field theory. The results obtained for the diffusive case are relevant for Mg$^{2+}$ or Cd$^{2+}$ doping in the TMMC crystal's exciton coalescence process and also imply a surprising result for the dynamic magnetization in the critical one-dimensional Ising model with a fixed spin. For the case of ballistic reactants, a model is introduced and solved exactly in one dimension. The density-deficit profile is obtained, as is the density of left and right moving reactants near the impenetrable boundary.Comment: to appear in J. Phys.

Solar array subsystems study

The effects on life cycle costs of a number of technology areas are examined for a LEO, 500 kW solar array. A baseline system conceptual design is developed and the life cycle costs estimated in detail. The baseline system requirements and design technologies are then varied and their relationships to life cycle costs quantified. For example, the thermal characteristics of the baseline design are determined by the array materials and masses. The thermal characteristics in turn determine configuration, performance and hence life cycle cost

The Potential Impact of a Texas High Plains Ethanol Plant on Local Water Supplies

With the passage of the Energy Policy Act, the rapidly expanding number of ethanol plants, and the fury with which ethanol is being promoted, it is clear that ethanol will play a rising role in our domestic energy supply. Along with this rise there will be an increase in the consumptive use of water by ethanol production facilities. Regions, such as the Texas High Plains, that are already considered to be water stressed have the potential of being impacted. The objective of this research is to assess the potential impact the addition of an ethanol plant may have on the Texas High Plains and to determine how increased water costs will transform the economic viability of an ethanol plant.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

ENTRY INTO FARMING: THE EFFECTS OF LEASING AND LEVERAGE ON FIRM SURVIVAL

Agribusiness,

On the analytic solution of the pairing problem: one pair in many levels

We search for approximate, but analytic solutions of the pairing problem for one pair of nucleons in many levels of a potential well. For the collective energy a general formula, independent of the details of the single particle spectrum, is given in both the strong and weak coupling regimes. Next the displacements of the solutions trapped in between the single particle levels with respect to the unperturbed energies are explored: their dependence upon a suitably defined quantum number is found to undergo a transition between two different regimes.Comment: 30 pages, AMS Latex, 8 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Method for Calculation of Counter Cyclical Payments Using State and National Trigger Levels (Major Crops)

Agricultural and Food Policy,

Alternative AMTA and Loan Rate Options for Program Crops With Counter Cyclical Payments Triggered at the National and State Level

This analysis focuses on four policy options, based on national formulas where implications are examined for varying levels of loan rates and base AMTA payment rates.Agricultural and Food Policy,