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At least 397 records · Page 22

Homogeneity of spatial correlation statistics of tropical oceanic rainfall

The possibility of uniform horizontal correlation scales for tropical oceanic rainfall has been examined by a study of satellite-observed microwave data as a proxy measure of rain rates. From the brightness temperatures from the electrically scanning microwave radiometer on Nimbus 5 near nadir during the year 1974, the mean spatial autocorrelation function as a function of simultaneous pixel separation was calculated in each 5 by 5 deg grid box over the tropical Pacific and Atlantic for each season. The equal-time spatially lagged correlations were compared for geographical dependence to investigate the hypothesis of homogeneity. A simple model of the spatial statistics of the microwave brightness temperatures was used, consisting of a mixture of uncorrelated spatial white noise incoherently superimposed on a spatially correlated field (spatial red noise). The red noise signals are presumed to be generated by convective activity in the tropical atmosphere. The parameters of the red noise are consistent with this scheme over the tropical oceans, yielding a uniform spatial scale of about 50 km throughout.

Shin, Kyung-Sup↗

dc modulation noise in thin film magnetic recording disk media

A study of dc modulation noise as a function of magnetic layer thickness has been conducted for plated longitudinal low-noise Co-alloy disk media with a range of 900 to 1100 Oe. The noise, produced by the application of a reverse longitudinal dc field to a uniformly magnetized disk, supplies data regarding the uniformity of the disk. A spectrum analyzer measures the noise by means of electronic detection, and noise spectra and autocorrelation functions calculated with a model are compared to the experimental results. The model correlates with experimental data to more than 0.99. The maximum distance between effective transitions diminishes from 2.8 microns to 1 micron when the thickness of the magnetic layer is increased from 25 nm to 60 nm. The maximum average transition amplitude is found to be independent of thickness, and is bounded by 0.001 of the saturation magnetization.

Katti, R. R.↗

Environmental analysis using integrated GIS and remotely sensed data - Some research needs and priorities

This paper discusses some basic scientific issues and research needs in the joint processing of remotely sensed and GIS data for environmental analysis. Two general topics are treated in detail: (1) scale dependence of geographic data and the analysis of multiscale remotely sensed and GIS data, and (2) data transformations and information flow during data processing. The discussion of scale dependence focuses on the theory and applications of spatial autocorrelation, geostatistics, and fractals for characterizing and modeling spatial variation. Data transformations during processing are described within the larger framework of geographical analysis, encompassing sampling, cartography, remote sensing, and GIS. Development of better user interfaces between image processing, GIS, database management, and statistical software is needed to expedite research on these and other impediments to integrated analysis of remotely sensed and GIS data.

Davis, Frank W.↗

Integrated far-infrared background from galaxies

The integrated radiation from galaxies is calculated at far-IR and submillimeter wavelengths. The peak of the far-IR background radiation is 100-130 microns, and its total energy content is 0.5-6 percent of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). At wavelengths longward of 400 microns, the CMB dominates over the far-IR radiation from galaxies in intensity. The autocorrelation of fluctuations from the average angle of the far-IR background of galaxies is calculated. The contribution of galaxies to the anisotropy of the background radiation at wavelengths longer than about 400 microns where the CMB is predominant is obtained. It is found that, in general, earlier galaxy formation predicts stronger far-IR background radiation. The prompt initial enrichment model for the chemical evolution of disk galaxies, in particular those with an exponential star formation rate, produces much larger intensity of the integrated radiation than the accretion model.

Wang, Boqi↗

Quasi-biennial oscillation above 10 mb

It is shown that the quasi-biennial oscillation of the equatorial lower stratosphere was correlated with mean zonal wind in the upper stratosphere, 1979-1990. Correlations were positive near 60 deg N and 30 deg S during Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter and negative in the equatorial upper stratosphere during all seasons. Spatial autocorrelation of mean zonal wind during NH winter was actually largest in the upper stratosphere, between 10 deg S and 62 deg N, due to strong coupling between tropical and extratropical flow at upper levels.

Baldwin, Mark P.↗

Validation of SAGE II NO2 measurements

The validity of NO2 measurements from the stratospheric aerosol and gas experiment (SAGE) II is examined by comparing the data with climatological distributions of NO2 and by examining the consistency of the observations themselves. The precision at high altitudes is found to be 5 percent, which is also the case at specific low altitudes for certain latitudes where the mixing ratio is 4 ppbv, and the precision is 0.2 ppbv at low altitudes. The autocorrelation distance of the smoothed profile measurement noise is 3-5 km and 10 km for 1-km and 5-km smoothing, respectively. The SAGE II measurements agree with spectroscopic measurements to within 10 percent, and the SAGE measurements are about 20 percent smaller than average limb monitor measurements at the mixing ratio peak. SAGE I and SAGE II measurements are slightly different, but the difference is not attributed to changes in atmospheric NO2.

Cunnold, D. M.↗

Hierarchical classifier design in high-dimensional, numerous class cases

As progress in new sensor technology continues, increasingly high spectral resolution sensors are being developed. These sensors give more detailed and complex data for each picture element and greatly increase the dimensionality of data over past systems. Three methods for designing a decision tree classifier are discussed; a top down approach, a bottom up approach, and a hybrid approach. Three feature extraction techniques are implemented. Canonical and extended canonical techniques are mainly dependent on the mean difference between two classes. An autocorrelation technique is dependent on the correlation differences. The mathematical relationship among sample size, dimensionality, and risk value is derived.

Kim, Byungyong↗

First-passage problems: A probabilistic dynamic analysis for degraded structures

Structures subjected to random excitations with uncertain system parameters degraded by surrounding environments (a random time history) are studied. Methods are developed to determine the statistics of dynamic responses, such as the time-varying mean, the standard deviation, the autocorrelation functions, and the joint probability density function of any response and its derivative. Moreover, the first-passage problems with deterministic and stationary/evolutionary random barriers are evaluated. The time-varying (joint) mean crossing rate and the probability density function of the first-passage time for various random barriers are derived.

Shiao, Michael C.↗

Separability of spatiotemporal spectra of image sequences

The spatiotemporal power spectrum was calculated of 14 image sequences in order to determine the degree to which the spectra are separable in space and time, and to assess the validity of the commonly used exponential correlation model found in the literature. The spectrum was expanded by a Singular Value Decomposition into a sum of separable terms and an index was defined of spatiotemporal separability as the fraction of the signal energy that can be represented by the first (largest) separable term. All spectra were found to be highly separable with an index of separability above 0.98. The power spectra of the sequences were well fit by a separable model. The power spectrum model corresponds to a product of exponential autocorrelation functions separable in space and time.

Eckert, Michael P.↗

Total-sky and clear-sky variability of outgoing longwave radiation and shortwave radiation and its relation to cloud fluctuation statistics

Correlation statistics are used to investigate some of the characteristic temporal and spatial scales of the day-to-day changes in cloudiness which tend to dominate the variance of outgoing LW radiation and SW radiation fields. The temporal decorrelation time of the radiation field as measured by the lag time required for the autocorrelation of a region to fall to 0.4 is about 12 hours in the midlatitude storm track. Decorrelation time approaches one to two days when the averaging area of the region is increased significantly. Decorrelation times are also longer in the equatorial and tropical regions. The short decorrelation times are a manifestation of the creation, breakup, and movement of cloud systems. Cross-correlation analysis of the radiation field in the midlatitude storm track region and the subtropical dry zone shows advection speeds that range from about 25 m/sec in the storm tracks to about 8 m/sec in the subtropical dry zone.

Bess, T. D.↗

The faint galaxy contribution to the diffuse extragalactic background light

Models of the faint galaxy contribution to the diffuse extragalactic background light are presented, which are consistent with current data on faint galaxy number counts and redshifts. The autocorrelation function of surface brightness fluctuations in the extragalactic diffuse light is predicted, and the way in which these predictions depend on the cosmological model and assumptions of biasing is determined. It is confirmed that the recent deep infrared number counts are most compatible with a high density universe (Omega-0 is approximately equal to 1) and that the steep blue counts then require an extra population of rapidly evolving blue galaxies. The faintest presently detectable galaxies produce an interesting contribution to the extragalactic diffuse light, and still fainter galaxies may also produce a significant contribution. These faint galaxies still only produce a small fraction of the total optical diffuse background light, but on scales of a few arcminutes to a few degrees, they produce a substantial fraction of the fluctuations in the diffuse light.

Cole, Shaun↗

Optical and radio variability in blazars

An analysis is presented of the optical (0.44 micron) and radio flux density variations (4.8, 8.0, and 14.5 GHz) of the five best observed variable AGN, of which three are BL Lac objects and two are optically violent variable (OVV) quasars. For each object the nature of the variability at individual wavelengths is determined by using a structure function analysis and the autocorrelation function as calculated from the discrete correlation technique. Both techniques yield similar results, showing that the optical variations are similar for all objects and are a combination of flicker and shot noise. The radio variability is distinct, being described by shot noise (less variation at short times), with the two OVVs exhibiting the most extreme behavior. The time lag between the variations at the three radio frequencies and the optical flux is studied with the discrete cross-correlation function and the mean variance methods. It is concluded that the optical and radio emitting regions are physically related, exist on distinct time scales, and excite their synchrotron emitting plasmas differently.

Hufnagel, Beth R.↗

Persistence and predictability in a perfect model

A realistic two-level GCM is used to examine the relationship between predictability and persistence. Predictability is measured by the average divergence of ensembles of solutions starting from perturbed initial conditions, and persistence is defined in terms of the autocorrelation function based on a single long-term model integration. The average skill of the dynamical forecasts is compared with the skill of simple persistence-based statistical forecasts. For initial errors comparable in magnitude to present-day analysis errors, the statistical forecast loses all skill after about one week, reflecting the lifetime of the lowest frequency fluctuations in the model. Large ensemble mean dynamical forecasts would be expected to remain skillful for about 3 wk. The disparity between the skill of the statistical and dynamical forecasts is greater for the higher frequency modes, which have little memory beyond 1 d, yet remain predictable for about 2 wk. The results are analyzed in terms of two characteristic time scales.

Schubert, Siegfried D.↗

Transient periodicities in X-ray-active red dwarfs - First results from Mount Cuba and interpretation with an oscillating loop model

Results from a program at the Mount Cuba Astronomical Observatory to optically monitor transient periodicities in flare stars are reported. The data are analyzed for periodicities by means of a modified autocorrelation approach. A randomization technique is used to assess the statistical significance of periods. In AD Leonis, variability with amplitude 0.4 percent and a period of 4.1 min was detected during one run on March 6, 1991: the probability that this periodicity is due to chance is 10 exp -5. Further observations obtained on AD Leo within 1-2 hr on the same night showed no significant variability (0.01). It is shown that optical periodicities of the sort detected may be interpreted as arising from oscillations in coronal loops.

Mullan, D. J.↗

Distribution of Reynolds stress carried by mesoscale variability in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current

Satellite altimeter data collected by the Geosat Exact Repeat Mission were used to investigate turbulent stress resulting from the variability of surface geostrophic currents in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The altimeter measured sea level along the subsatellite track. The variability of the along-track slope of sea level is directly proportional to the variability of surface geostrophic currents in the cross-track direction. Because the grid of crossover points is dense at high latitudes, the satellite data could be used for mapping the temporal and spatial variability of the current. Two and a half years of data were used to compute the statistical structure of the variability. The statistics included the probability distribution functions for each component of the current, the time-lagged autocorrelation functions of the variability, and the Reynolds stress produced by the variability. The results demonstrate that stress is correlated with bathymetry. In some areas the distribution of negative stress indicate that eddies contribute to an acceleration of the mean flow, strengthening the hypothesis that baroclinic instability makes important contributions to strong oceanic currents.

Johnson, Thomas J.↗

Observations of the structure and vertical transport of the polar upper ionosphere with the EISCAT VHF radar. I - Is EISCAT able to determine O(+) and H(+) polar wind characteristic? A simulation study

A method presented by Wu et al. (1992) for computing the H(+) vertical velocity from the main ionospheric parameters measured by the EISCAT VHF radar is tested in a fully controlled sequence which consists of generating an ideal ionospheric model by solving the coupled continuity and momentum equations for a two-ion plasma (O(+) and H(+)). Synthetic autocorrelation functions are generated from this model with the radar characteristics and used as actual measurements to compute the H(+) vertical velocities. Results of these simulations are shown and discussed for three cases of typical and low SNR and for low and increased mixing ratios. In most cases general agreement is found between computed H(+) velocities and generic ones with the altitude range considered, i.e., 200-1000 km. The method is shown to be reliable.

Blelly, Pierre-Louis↗

Structure in the COBE differential microwave radiometer first-year maps

Results of the first year of data from the differential microwave radiometers on the Cosmic Background Explorer are presented. Statistically significant structure that is well described as scale-invariant fluctuations with a Gaussian distribution is shown. The rms sky variation, smoothed to a total 10-deg FWHM Gaussian, is 30 +/-5 micro-K for Galactic latitude greater than 20-deg data with the dipole anisotropy removed. The rms cosmic quadrupole amplitude is 13 +/-4 micro-K. The angular autocorrelation of the signal in each radiometer channel and cross-correlation between channels are consistent and give a primordial fluctuation power-law spectrum with index of 1.1 +/-0.5, and an rms-quadrupole-normalized amplitude of 16 +/-4 micro-K. These features are in accord with the Harrison-Zel'dovich spectrum predicted by models of inflationary cosmology.

Smoot, G. F.↗

Preliminary separation of galactic and cosmic microwave emission for the COBE Differential Microwave Radiometer

Preliminary models of microwave emission from the Milky Way Galaxy based on COBE and other data are constructed for the purpose of distinguishing cosmic and Galactic signals. Differential Microwave Radiometer (DMR) maps, with the modeled Galactic emission removed, are fitted for a quadrupole distribution. Autocorrelation functions for individual Galactic components are presented. When Galactic emission is removed from the DMR data, the residual fluctuations are virtually unaffected, and therefore they are not dominated by any known Galactic emission component.

Bennet, C. L.↗