Some characteristics of technical entrepreneurs
Characteristics study of technical entrepreneurs, considering family background, education and motivation
Roberts, E. B.↗
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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.
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Short time-scale optical pulsations in the night sky background
A network of monitoring stations designed to detect large scale fluorescence emission in the atmosphere has been in operation for over two years. The motivation for the search arises from the prediction that an energetic photon burst would be produced in a supernova and this burst, when absorbed in the atmosphere, would produce fluorescence. This paper reports on observations up to February 1971. No supernova-like events have been found, although 4.4 were expected. One class of non-fluorescence events is described that evidence suggests is related to electrical discharge in the atmosphere. Another type of non-fluorescence pulse appears to be related to particle precipitation in the atmosphere.
Bertsch, D. L.↗
A study of the round jet/plane wall flow field
Impingement angles, between the axisymmetric jet axis and the plane wall, from zero to 15 degrees have been examined for nozzle heights of 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 diameters and for: (1) a fully developed pipe flow, and (2) a relatively uniform exit velocity condition. Velocity measurements have been used to define isotach contours and to determine mass, momentum and energy flux values for the near field (within five diameters) of the jet. Surface pressure measurements have been used to define surface pressure forces and jet centerline trajectories. The geometric and flow conditions examined and the interpretation of the results have been motivated by the externally blown flap STOL aircraft application.
Foss, J. F.↗
The effect of modifying response and performance feedback parameters on the CNV in humans
The effect on the CNV of sustained and delayed motor response with the dominant and nondominant hand in the presence and absence of visual performance feedback, was studied in 15 male adults. Monopolar scalp recordings were obtained at Fz, Cz, Pz, and bilaterally over the motor hand area. Results indicated that the magnitude of the CNV was greater in the delayed than sustained response task, greater in the presence than absence of feedback, and greater over the motor hand area contralateral to movement. Frontal CNV habituated in the sustained, but not the delayed response task, suggested that frontal negative variations in the former case signify an orienting response to novelty or uncertainty. The absence of habituation in the delay condition was interpreted in terms of the motor inhibitory function of frontal association cortex. Performance feedback appeared to enhance CNV indirectly by increasing the motivation of subjects. A multiprocess conception of CNV was proposed in which vortex-negative slow potentials reflect a multiplicity of psychophysiological processes occurring at a variety of cortical and subcortical locations in the brain preparatory to a motor or mental action.
Otto, D. A.↗
Linear interpolation of four-dimensional tabulated data for computers with single subscripted variable capability
Using only a one-dimensional subscripted variable, a FORTRAN computer subprogram was developed to linearly interpolate tabulated data of functions of four or less variables. The primary motivation was for faster computation.
Farr, W. R.↗
Technology assessment and citizen action
The importance of citizen participation in the assessment process is discussed, and a system for citizen assessment action is proposed. A national assessment system is outlined. Citizen participation is considered essential in the assessment process, and impediments to effective action taken by citizens are discussed. These impediments are finance, organization and motivation, and information. The establishment of citizens' assessment associations is proposed, whose functioning would be fostered and regulated by the Citizens' Assessment Administration. The organization, functions, and financing of these associations are described. The implications of citizen action are indicated as the extensive use of class action suits, the broad interpretation of associated costs of litigation, and the use of present scientific research as evidence to assert that it is reasonable to conclude that certain consequences are probable to occur in the future.
Mottur, E. R.↗
Two Phase Detonation Studies Conducted in 1971
The research covered by this third annual progress report represents a continuation of our efforts devoted to the study of detonation waves in liquid-gas systems. The motivation for the work is associated with liquid propellant rocket motor combustion instability although certainly the studies are also applicable to internal combustion engines, jet propulsion engines, safety aspects of spilled liquid fuel, coal mine explosions, and weaponry. The research has been divided into 5 phases, although all of them are intimately related. For the most part these phases are briefly summarized and the reader is referred to other publications for a more complete treatment. The exception to this is where the material herein represents the only printed information available on the particular facet of the problem. Phase A has been primarily concerned with the breakup and ignition of fuel drops by shock waves. The experimental portion of this study as well as a theoretical treatment of the ignition behavior was completed in the past year. The research is now concentrating on the passage of a shock wave over a burning drop. Phase B has been devoted to the assessment of the approximate energy release pattern in two phase detonations insofar as they affect the significant overpressures observed.
Nicholls, J. A.↗
A study of human performance in a rotating environment
Consideration is given to the lack of sufficient data relative to the response of man to the attendant oculovestibular stimulations induced by multi-directional movement of an individual within the rotating environment to provide the required design criteria. This was done to determine the overall impact of artificial gravity simulations on potential design configurations and crew operational procedures. Gross locomotion and fine motor performance were evaluated. Results indicate that crew orientation, rotational rates, vehicle design configurations, and operational procedures may be used to reduce the severity of the adverse effects of the Coriolis and cross-coupled angular accelerations acting on masses moving within a rotating environment. Results further indicate that crew selection, motivation, and short-term exposures to the rotating environment may be important considerations for future crew indoctrination and training programs.
Green, J. A.↗
Robot computer problem solving system
Continuing research is reported in a program aimed at the development of a robot computer problem solving system. The motivation and results are described of a theoretical investigation concerning the general properties of behavioral systems. Some of the important issues which a general theory of behavioral organization should encompass are outlined and discussed.
Becker, J. D.↗
Differential correction schemes in nonlinear regression
Classical iterative methods in nonlinear regression are reviewed and improved upon. This is accomplished by discussion of the geometrical and theoretical motivation for introducing modifications using generalized matrix inversion. Examples having inherent pitfalls are presented and compared in terms of results obtained using classical and modified techniques. The modification is shown to be useful alone or in conjunction with other modifications appearing in the literature.
Decell, H. P., Jr.↗
Very-high-frequency dc-to-dc conversion and regulation in the low-megahertz range.
Anticipated new mission requirements have motivated research on very-high-frequency (VHF) regulated dc-to-dc converters to operate at conversion frequencies in the low-megahertz range. State-of-the-art electronic components for VHF operation are discussed. Two different converter configurations, one using proportional control and having a conversion frequency of 0.1 MHz and the other using bistable control and having a conversion frequency of 3.8 MHz, are presented to indicate converter performance in this VHF region. Converter losses, which are of prime importance at these frequencies, are discussed and possible means of reducing these losses are suggested.
Feng, S. Y. M.↗
New half-range differential approximation for spherically-symmetric radiative transfer.
A new half-range differential approximation for radiative transfer with spherical symmetry is presented. The development is motivated by the various failures of existing differential approximations in determining emissive-power distributions and heat transfer for concentric-spheres problems. The new approach represents a modification of the four-moment double spherical-harmonics method, to which it reduces in the planar limit. The difference is effected by relocating the discontinuity of the assumed directional distribution of radiation intensity. The shift takes the discontinuity from precisely on the division between radially inward and radially outward, to just within the radially-outward directional half range. The method is tested on a variety of concentric spheres problems with and without internal heat sources, reproducing all the important features of the exact results.
Moreno, J. B.↗
The role and use of the stochastic linear-quadratic-Gaussian problem in control system design.
The role of the linear-quadratic stochastic control problem in engineering design is reviewed in tutorial fashion. The design approach is motivated by considering the control of a nonlinear uncertain plant about a desired input-output response. It is demonstrated how a design philosophy based on (1) deterministic perturbation control, (2) stochastic state estimation, and (3) linearized stochastic control leads to an overall closed-loop control system. The emphasis of the paper is on the philosophy of the design process, the modeling issue, and the formulation of the problem; the results are given for the sake of completeness, but no proofs are included. The systematic off-line nature of the design process is stressed throughout.
Athans, M.↗
The synthesis of optimal controls for linear, time-optimal problems with retarded controls.
Optimization problems involving linear systems with retardations in the controls are studied in a systematic way. Some physical motivation for the problems is discussed. The topics covered are: controllability, existence and uniqueness of the optimal control, sufficient conditions, techniques of synthesis, and dynamic programming. A number of solved examples are presented.
Banks, H. T.↗
Hybrid carrier and modulation tracking loops.
The tracking loops presented herein exploit the coherency of the observed data sidebands at the carrier frequency for improvements in phase-coherent tracking, telemetry, and command system performance. The loop is motivated by one aspect of generalized harmonic analysis, viz., the so-called cross spectrum. The basic idea of the loop centers around using the power in the composite received signal (sidebands including cross-modulation components) to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in the carrier tracking loop, thereby reducing the noisy reference loss and ultimately the subcarrier reference jitter, the symbol sync jitter, and the error probability of the data detector. The modulation from the extracted sidebands is removed in such a way that the coherence power in the data sidebands can be used for tracking at the carrier frequency.
Lindsey, W. C.↗
On stiffly stable implicit linear multistep methods.
The motivation to increase the step size with no degradation of numerical accuracy and stability has led to the discovery of particular members of the class of stiffly stable implicit linear multistep algorithms. Sufficient conditions for a consistent linear multistep method to be stiffly stable are given. These conditions involve properties of the stability mapping from the extended complex plane onto itself.
Cooke, C. H.↗
Characteristics of individuals with high information potential in government research and development organizations.
In order to study focal individuals within informal communications networks, a special variable was constructed: information potential (IP) was defined as the information-source value placed on an individual by his colleagues. Four hypotheses involving IP were tested in three R&D organizations using questionnaires and pencil-and-paper tests. Results indicated that the individual with high IP used more and different sources of technical information, was seen to be a credible information source and to have a strong ability to associate seemingly unrelated ideas, and was as approachable as the other members of his organization. Four tentative conclusions may be drawn from this study concerning the person with high IP. He is (1) an identifiable individual in several different kinds of organizations; (2) a distinctive information transceiver (transmitter and receiver); (3) both a producer and a catalyst in his own organization; and (4) an extender and an amplifier of information search. To affect the efficiency of informal information flow, the research manager's best hope for positively influencing informal networks lies in the identification and motivation of the special communicators in his organization.
Holland, W. E.↗
Lunar rilles and Hawaiian volcanic features - Possible analogues.
Study of the origin and development of lava conduits in terrestrial volcanic regions and the possible association of two important classes of lunar morphological features - i.e., channels and the sinuous rilles on the lunar maria - with stages in the evolution of lava conduits. The study was motivated by observations of some Hawaiian active volcanic regions. The origin of apparent flow channels on steep slopes on the moon is also considered.
Cruikshank, D. P.↗