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At least 289 records · Page 16

Interaction of a cumulus cloud ensemble with the large-scale environment. I

A theory of the interaction of a cumulus cloud ensemble with the large-scale environment is developed. In this theory, the large-scale environment is divided into the subcloud mixed layer and the region above. The time changes of the environment are governed by the heat and moisture budget equations for the subcloud mixed layer and for the region above, and by a prognostic equation for the depth of the mixed layer. In the environment above the mixed layer, the cumulus convection affects the temperature and moisture fields through cumulus-induced subsidence and detrainment of saturated air containing liquid water which evaporates in the environment. In the subcloud mixed layer, the cumulus convection does not act directly on the temperature and moisture fields, but it affects the depth of the mixed layer through cumulus-induced subsidence.

Arakawa, A.↗

On the dynamics of agglomerating ensembles of clouds

It is shown that for dynamical time scales longer than 10 million years the ensemble of interstellar cold diffuse clouds may be described by equations of mass and momentum conservation where the pressure has the form p/v-squared/ where /v-squared/ is the mass averaged square velocity dispersion. Equilibrium cloud spectra are derived and an equation of state obtained. The equation of state undergoes a phase transition at a critical density close to the local interstellar gas density. At higher densities, more massive clouds are formed and the cloud fluid softens. It is suggested that this mechanism may naturally regulate the interstellar gas density if star formation is very efficient in the cooler high-density systems.

Cowie, L. L.↗

Protective Garment Ensemble

Protective garment ensemble with internally-mounted environmental- control unit contains its own air supply. Alternatively, a remote-environmental control unit or an air line is attached at the umbilical quick disconnect. Unit uses liquid air that is vaporized to provide both breathing air and cooling. Totally enclosed garment protects against toxic substances.

Wakefield, M. E.↗

Estimation of Kalman filter model parameters from an ensemble of tests

A methodology for estimating initial mean and covariance parameters in a Kalman filter model from an ensemble of nonidentical tests is presented. In addition, the problem of estimating time constants and process noise levels is addressed. Practical problems such as developing and validating inertial instrument error models from laboratory test data or developing error models of individual phases of a test are generally considered.

Gibbs, B. P.↗

Program for narrow-band analysis of aircraft flyover noise using ensemble averaging techniques

A package of computer programs was developed for analyzing acoustic data from an aircraft flyover. The package assumes the aircraft is flying at constant altitude and constant velocity in a fixed attitude over a linear array of ground microphones. Aircraft position is provided by radar and an option exists for including the effects of the aircraft's rigid-body attitude relative to the flight path. Time synchronization between radar and acoustic recording stations permits ensemble averaging techniques to be applied to the acoustic data thereby increasing the statistical accuracy of the acoustic results. Measured layered meteorological data obtained during the flyovers are used to compute propagation effects through the atmosphere. Final results are narrow-band spectra and directivities corrected for the flight environment to an equivalent static condition at a specified radius.

Gridley, D.↗

Ensemble averaging of acoustic data

A computer program called Ensemble Averaging of Acoustic Data is documented. The program samples analog data, analyzes the data, and displays them in the time and frequency domains. Hard copies of the displays are the program's output. The documentation includes a description of the program and detailed user instructions for the program. This software was developed for use on the Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel's Dynamic Analysis System consisting of a PDP-11/45 computer, two RK05 disk drives, a tektronix 611 keyboard/display terminal, and FPE-4 Fourier Processing Element, and an analog-to-digital converter.

Stefanski, P. K.↗

Interaction of a cumulus cloud ensemble with the large-scale environment. IV - The discrete model

The Arakawa-Schubert (1974) parameterization is applied to a prognostic model of large-scale atmospheric circulations and used to analyze data in a general circulation model (GCM). The vertical structure of the large-scale model and the solution for the cloud subensemble thermodynamical properties are examined to choose cloud levels and representative regions. A mass flux distribution equation is adapted to formulate algorithms for calculating the large-scale forcing and the mass flux kernel, using either direct solution or linear programming. Finally, the feedback of the cumulus ensemble on the large-scale environment for a given subensemble mass flux is calculated. All cloud subensemble properties were determined from the conservation of mass, moist static energy, and total water.

Lord, S. J.↗

Ensemble formulation of surface fluxes and improvement in evapotranspiration and cloud parameterizations in a GCM

The influence of some modifications to the parameters of the current general circulation model (GCM) is investigated. The aim of the modifications was to eliminate strong occasional bursts of oscillations in planetary boundary layer (PBL) fluxes. Smoothly varying bulk aerodynamic friction and heat transport coefficients were found by ensemble averaging of the PBL fluxes in the current GCM. A comparison was performed of the simulations of the modified model and the unmodified model. The comparison showed that the surface fluxes and cloudiness in the modified model simulations were much more accurate. The planetary albedo in the model was also realistic. Weaknesses persisted in the models positioning of the Inter-tropical convergence zone (ICTZ) and in the temperature estimates for polar regions. A second simulation of the model following reparametrization of the cloud data showed improved results and these are described in detail.

Sud, Y. C.↗

Cosmic rays near the heliospheric current sheet. II - An ensemble approach to comparing theory and observation

A quantitative comparison is carried out between theoretical predictions and observations of the intensity of galactic cosmic rays near the interplanetary current sheet. Model calculations are compared with a statistical analysis of observations of galactic cosmic rays at the earth and the simultaneous position of the current sheet. Since the observations were made over a period of several years, the inclination of the current sheet varied considerably, and comparison with any one model calculation referring to a given inclination would not be appropriate. An ensemble of different current sheet inclinations are used to generate expected values with the model in order to make the analysis of the computations approximate the method used to analyze the data. Agreement is found between theory and observation at energies of the order of a few GeV.

Jokipii, J. R.↗

Gravitational lensing by an ensemble of isothermal galaxies

Calculation of 28,000 models of gravitational lensing of a distant quasar by an ensemble of randomly placed galaxies, each having a singular isothermal mass distribuiton, is reported. The average surface mass density was 0.2 of the critical value in all models. It is found that the surface mass density averaged over the area of the smallest circle that encompasses the multiple images is 0.82, only slightly smaller than expected from a simple analytical model of Turner et al. (1984). The probability of getting multiple images is also as large as expected analytically. Gravitational lensing is dominated by the matter in the beam; i.e., by the beam convergence. The cases where the multiple imaging is due to asymmetry in mass distribution (i.e., due to shear) are very rare. Therefore, the observed gravitational-lens candidates for which no lensing object has been detected between the images cannot be a result of asymmetric mass distribution outside the images, at least in a model with randomly distributed galaxies. A surprisingly large number of large separations between the multiple images is found: up to 25 percent of multiple images have their angular separation 2 to 4 times larger than expected in a simple analytical model.

Katz, Neal↗

The Mark III Hypercube-Ensemble Computers

Mark III Hypercube concept applied in development of series of increasingly powerful computers. Processor of each node of Mark III Hypercube ensemble is specialized computer containing three subprocessors and shared main memory. Solves problem quickly by simultaneously processing part of problem at each such node and passing combined results to host computer. Disciplines benefitting from speed and memory capacity include astrophysics, geophysics, chemistry, weather, high-energy physics, applied mechanics, image processing, oil exploration, aircraft design, and microcircuit design.

Peterson, John C.↗

The physiological cost of wearing the propellant handler's ensemble at the Kennedy Space Center

The potential for exposure to toxins used in the propulsion systems of spacecraft dictates the use of a whole body protective suit, the Propellant Handler's Ensemble (PHE) during preflight preparation and launching. The weight, structure, and operating parameters of the PHE may be expected to have a significant impact upon the metabolic, cardiovascular, and thermal responses of the user, especially during ambient temperature extremes and high workload situations. Four male subjects participated in tests in -7, 23, and 43 C (20, 74, and 110 F) environments in two versions of the PHE, the autonomous backpack (BP) and the hoseline (HL) supplied configuration. Measurements included heart rate (HR) rectal temperature, four skin temperatures, oxygen (O2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the helmet area, interior suit temperature, and suit pressure. Exercise metabolism was estimated from HR, PHE weight, and treadmill speed and grade. The HR responses between each PHE configuration were not statistically different. As a percentage of HR maximum, the mean values were 79 percent (COLD), 84 percent (LAB), and 90 percent (HOT). Helmet O2 and CO2 levels were correlated with percent HR max (P less than 0.001). Rectal temperatures were similar for each PHE configuration, except in the HOT exposure where the BP version exceeded the HL configuration (P less than 0.05). In nearly every instance the HR was driven to moderately high levels, the supplied respiratory gases were not optimum, and thermal adversity was a primary stressor. Our findings suggest that medical and physical fitness standards, along with operational restrictions, should be imposed upon PHE users to avoid situations that could adversely affect the worker.

Schonfeld, Brian R.↗

Ensemble Monte Carlo characterization of graded Al(x)Ga(1-x)As heterojunction barriers

The current-voltage characteristics of graded Al(x)Ga(1-x)As heterojunction barriers were investigated using a self-consistent ensemble Monte Carlo method. Results are presented for barriers with two doping levels (10 to the 15th/cu cm and 10 to the 17th/cu cm) and two barrier heights (100 and 265 meV). It was found that the lower barrier structure exhibited little rectification at room temperature at both doping levels, while the higher barrier exhibited considerable rectification. The structures with the lower doping value exhibited a smaller current in both forward and reverse regions, due to space-charge effect. The results of studies of the energy and momentum distribution functions along the barrier indicate that the assumption of drifted Maxwellian distribution used in energy-momentum models is not justified for Gamma valley electrons.

Kamoua, R.↗

USSR national time unit keeping over long interval using an ensemble of H-masers

The U.S.S.R. State Time and Frequency Service (STFS) is discussed. The STFS is responsible for time and frequency measurement unification both in the field of atomic, TA(SU) and UTC(SU) and universal time UT1(SU) over the whole territory of the U.S.S.R. The U.S.S.R. national time unit keeping over long interval using an ensemble of H-masers is also discussed.

Koshelyaevsky, N. B.↗

Evaluation of cloudiness parameterizations using a cumulus ensemble model

Diagnostic cloudiness parameterizations in large-scale models are evaluated by using a two-dimensional numerical cumulus ensemble model. The model covers a large horizontal domain (512 km) but resolves individual clouds. This study explores the dependence of diagnostic relations (between cloud amount and a large-scale variable) on cloud regime, horizontal averaging distance, and cloud type for tropical convective cloud regimes. Large-scale variables, including relative humidity, cumulus mass flux, large-scale vertical velocity and surface precipitation rate, are examined. It is shown that the total cloud amount can be better estimated as the sum of separate estimates of stratiform and convective cloud amounts using different large-scale variables than by an estimate of the total cloud amount using any single large-scale variable. The stratiform cloud amount can best be estimated by using relative humidity. The convective cloud amount can be diagnosed by using cumulus mass flux. Neither set of diagnostic relations depends significantly on the stimulated cloud regime or horizontal averaging distance, but other diagnostic relations do show some such dependence. These results are interpreted and their implications for cloudiness parameterization are discussed.

Xu, Kuan-Man↗

The three-point function in an ensemble of numerical simulations

The three-point function in Fourier space is evaluated for an ensemble of 2D numerical simulations with nine initial power spectra distinguished by spectral index and cutoff. To remove the main dependences on scale and time, results are presented as the reduced amplitude Q in the hierarchical model. To lowest nonvanishing order in perturbation theory, Q is a constant, independent of length scale, of time, and of initial spectrum. The results show that in the nonlinear regime of evolution, normalizing to Q does remove the main variations, but systematic dependences on spectral index and cutoff remain at late times that depend on properties of the initial spectrum. Models with initial power cut off on a scale that has been evolved far into the nonlinear regime are indistinguishable from models with no cutoff.

Fry, J. N.↗

The three-point correlation function in an ensemble of three-dimensional simulations

We evaluate the three-point function in Fourier space for an ensemble of three-dimensional 128 exp 3 numerical simulations with initial power spectra characterized by spectral index n = +1, 0, -1, -2, -3, with no high-frequency cutoff and with cutoff k(c) = 16 or k(c) = 4. To remove dependences on scale and on time, we present results as the reduced amplitude Q in the hierarchical model as a function of the dimensionless variable kd(rms), where d(rms) is the mean square displacement of a particle from its initial position. For scale-free initial conditions, there is no evolution in Q. For initial conditions with a cutoff, Q evolves until the scale of the cutoff is in the nonlinear regime; the results afterwards are no different from those with no initial cutoff. The transition from quasi-linear to nonlinear regimes is followed. In the quasi-linear regime, our results agree well with gravitational perturbation theory predictions, including a marked dependence on the shape of the configuration. In the nonlinear regime, the value of Q for scale-invariant initial conditions is remarkably independent of evolution epoch, of scale, and of configuration shape, and depends on spectral index roughly as Q = 3/(3 + n).

Fry, J. N.↗

An ensemble pulsar time

Millisecond pulsars are galactic objects that exhibit a very stable spinning period. Several tens of these celestial clocks have now been discovered, which opens the possibility that an average time scale may be deduced through a long-term stability algorithm. Such an ensemble average makes it possible to reduce the level of the instabilities originating from the pulsars or from other sources of noise, which are unknown but independent. The basis for such an algorithm is presented and applied to real pulsar data. It is shown that pulsar time could shortly become more stable than the present atomic time, for averaging times of a few years. Pulsar time can also be used as a flywheel to maintain the accuracy of atomic time in case of temporary failure of the primary standards, or to transfer the improved accuracy of future standards back to the present.

Petit, Gerard↗