Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “principle components”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3

Aircrew coordination and decisionmaking: Peer ratings of video tapes made during a full mission simulation

Six professionally active, retired captains rated the coordination and decisionmaking performances of sixteen aircrews while viewing videotapes of a simulated commercial air transport operation. The scenario featured a required diversion and a probable minimum fuel situation. Seven point Likert-type scales were used in rating variables on the basis of a model of crew coordination and decisionmaking. The variables were based on concepts of, for example, decision difficulty, efficiency, and outcome quality; and leader-subordin ate concepts such as person and task-oriented leader behavior, and competency motivation of subordinate crewmembers. Five-front-end variables of the model were in turn dependent variables for a hierarchical regression procedure. The variance in safety performance was explained 46%, by decision efficiency, command reversal, and decision quality. The variance of decision quality, an alternative substantive dependent variable to safety performance, was explained 60% by decision efficiency and the captain's quality of within-crew communications. The variance of decision efficiency, crew coordination, and command reversal were in turn explained 78%, 80%, and 60% by small numbers of preceding independent variables. A principle component, varimax factor analysis supported the model structure suggested by regression analyses.

Murphy, M. R.↗

A Modal-Parameter Extraction Procedure

Procedure accommodates multiple input excitations. Improved modalparameter extraction procedure applicable to linear, time-invariant systems derived in 92-page report. Algorithm allows multiple noncoherent input excitations applied to structure and generates consistent set of modal parameters. Procedure extension of simultaneous frequency-domain (SFD) techniques achieved through investigation of two automatic methods for reducing effective problem size while minimizing amount of user interaction. In several sample runs, independentcoordinate reduction method shown more accurate method for small sample size. Principle-component method used to estimate number of modes active in given frequency range.

Kurdila, A. H.↗

Classification, seasonality and persistence of low-frequency atmospheric circulation patterns

The seasonality and persistence of the major modes of interannual variability in the low-frequency atmospheric circulation were studied using orthogonally rotated principle component analysis (RPCA) of Northern Hemisphere 1-month mean 700 mb heights. The twice-daily data for the 1950-1984 period were used. Winter results are similar to those of other recent RPCA and teleconnection studies. The strongest summer pattern is the North Atlantic Oscillation, which is also the strongest winter pattern; it systematically contracts northward in summer and expands southward in winter, being the only pattern found for every month of the year. The robustness of the RPCA results was examined through consistency with results of other studies and of adjacent month solutions within this study, as well as by replicating the results using 3-month and 10-day means of 700-mb height. It is concluded that the RPCA method provides a physically meaningful and statistically stable product with the simplicity of teleconnection patterns but with superior pattern choice and depiction.

Barnston, Anthony G.↗

Issues on the use of meta-knowledge in expert systems

Meta knowledge is knowledge about knowledge; knowledge that is not domain specific but is concerned instead with its own internal structure. Several past systems have used meta-knowledge to improve the nature of the user interface, to maintain the knowledge base, and to control the inference engine. More extensive use of meta-knowledge is probable for the future as larger scale problems are considered. A proposed system architecture is presented and discussed in terms of meta-knowledge applications. The principle components of this system: the user support subsystem, the control structure, the knowledge base, the inference engine, and a learning facility are all outlined and discussed in light of the use of meta-knowledge. Problems with meta-constructs are also mentioned but it is concluded that the use of meta-knowledge is crucial for increasingly autonomous operations.

Facemire, Jon↗

Determining crop residue type and class using satellite acquired data

LANDSAT Thematic Mapper (TM) data for March 23, 1987 with accompanying ground truth data for the study area in Miami County, IN were used to determine crop residue type and class. Principle components and spectral ratioing transformations were applied to the LANDSAT TM data. One graphic information system (GIS) layer of land ownership was added to each original image as the eighth band of data in an attempt to improve classification. Maximum likelihood, minimum distance, and neural networks were used to classify the original, transformed, and GIS-enhanced remotely sensed data. Crop residues could be separated from one another and from bare soil and other biomass. Two types of crop residue and four classes were identified from each LANDSAT TM image. The maximum likelihood classifier performed the best classification for each original image without need of any transformation. The neural network classifier was able to improve the classification by incorporating a GIS-layer of land ownership as an eighth band of data. The maximum likelihood classifier was unable to consider this eighth band of data and thus, its results could not be improved by its consideration.

Zhuang, Xin↗

Revealing the microstructure of materials

The objectives are to demonstrate how the microstructure of materials may be revealed by abrasive polishing and chemical etching, and to illustrate how microstructural information is used to monitor manufacturing processes, provide in-depth inspection, and perform failure analysis. Microstructural analysis is the procedure used to reveal the internal microstructural details of a material or part by sectioning and polishing the cut surface so that it may be examined under a suitable microscope. A printed wiring board was selected as the test material because it contains both metals and nonmetals that have distinctive microstructures, and because this technique is used throughout the electronic industry as a key quality control tool. The three principle component materials in printed circuit boards are glass/epoxy laminates faced with copper foil; copper, deposited by both electroless and electrolytic plating; and tin/lead solder. Sample preparation, mounting, grinding, polishing, and examination and analysis are discussed.

Nelson, James A.↗

A statistical note on the redundancy of nine standard baroreflex parameters

An accepted method for measuring the responsiveness of the carotid-cardiac baroreflex to arterial pressure changes is to artificially stimulate the baroreceptors in the neck with a pressurized neck chamber. Nine physiological responses to this type of stimulation are quantified and used as indicators of the baroreflex response function. Thirty male humans between the ages of 27 and 46 underwent the carotid-cardiac baroreflex test. The data for the nine response parameters were analyzed by principle component factor analysis. The results indicated that 92.5 percent of the total variance across all nine parameters could be explained in four dimensions. The first two dimensions reflected location points for R-R interval and carotid distending pressure, respectively. The third factor was composed of measures reflecting the gain (responsiveness) of the reflex. The fourth dimension was the ratio of baseline R-R interval to the maximal R-R interval response during simulated hypertension. The data suggest that the analysis of all nine baroreflex parameters is likely to be redundant and researchers should account for these redundancies either in their analyses or conclusions.

Ludwig, David A.↗

Study of the crust and mantle using magnetic surveys by Magsat and other satellites

This article summarizes some of the methodology and results for studies of the earth's mantle and crust. Mantle conductivity studies can be made either by studying signals impressed on the earth from outside, e.g., the ionosphere or magnetosphere, or by studing signals originating in the core and transmitted through the mantle. Crustal field studies begin with a careful selection of the data and subsequent removal of core and external fields by some sort of filtering. Average maps from different local times sometimes differ, presumably due to the remaining presence of fields of external origin. Several techniques for further filtering are discussed. Where large-area aeromagnetic maps are available, crustal maps derived from satellite data can be compared with upward continued data. In general, the comparisons show agreement, with some differences, particularly in and near the auroral belts. The satellite data are further reduced by various methods of inverse and forward modeling, sometimes including reduction to the pole. These techniques are generally unstable at the equator. Common methods of stabilizing the inversions include principle components analysis and ridge regression. Because of the presence of the core field, the entire crustal contribution from the field is not known. Also, there is a basic nonuniqueness to the inverse solutions. Nevertheless, magnetizations that are interpretable can be derived.

Langel, Robert A.↗

Extracting galactic structure parameters from multivariated density estimation

Multivariate statistical analysis, including includes cluster analysis (unsupervised classification), discriminant analysis (supervised classification) and principle component analysis (dimensionlity reduction method), and nonparameter density estimation have been successfully used to search for meaningful associations in the 5-dimensional space of observables between observed points and the sets of simulated points generated from a synthetic approach of galaxy modelling. These methodologies can be applied as the new tools to obtain information about hidden structure otherwise unrecognizable, and place important constraints on the space distribution of various stellar populations in the Milky Way. In this paper, we concentrate on illustrating how to use nonparameter density estimation to substitute for the true densities in both of the simulating sample and real sample in the five-dimensional space. In order to fit model predicted densities to reality, we derive a set of equations which include n lines (where n is the total number of observed points) and m (where m: the numbers of predefined groups) unknown parameters. A least-square estimation will allow us to determine the density law of different groups and components in the Galaxy. The output from our software, which can be used in many research fields, will also give out the systematic error between the model and the observation by a Bayes rule.

Chen, B.↗

HST observations of the gravitational lens systems HE 1104-1805 and J03.13

High angular resolution Principle Component Image (PC1) images of the gravitational lens systems HE 1104-1805 and J03.13 are presented. Using a method described in Remy et al. (1997a), optimal TinyTim Point Spread Function (PSFs) are constructed to fit at best the lensed point-like components. The derived photometry of the GL components and the detection of the lens galaxy for HE 1104-1805 are discussed. Textbook case Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) spectra of J03.13 A and B clearly show that this double QSO is a cosmic mirage.

Remy, M.↗

WFPC2 photometry from subtraction of TinyTim PSFs

Based upon the subtraction of TinyTim Point Spread Function (PSFs) from Principle Component Image (PC1) point-like objects, a method has been developed to determine the optimal values for the telescope jitter and the Z4 relative focus during calibration or science observations. Using these jitter and focus values, an optimal TinyTim PSF, computed over a resampled grid, is then iteratively fitted to the object, yielding an improvement in the PSF centering, more accurate photometric results and a better detection of underlying structures. Preliminary results seem to indicate that appropriate synthetic TinyTim PSFs perform as well as observed PSFs.

Remy, M.↗

Neutrons in Space: Shield Models and Design Issues

The normal working and living areas of the astronaut are designed to provide an acceptable level of protection against the hazards of ionizing space radiation. Attempts to reduce the exposures require intervening shield materials to reduce the transmitted radiation. An unwelcome side effect of the shielding is the production of neutrons, which are themselves dangerous particles that can be (but are not always) more hazardous than the particles that produced them. This is especially true depending on the choice of shield materials. Although neutrons are not a normal part of the space environment, this paper focuses on them as principle component of astronaut exposure in the massive spacecraft's required for human space travel and habitation near planetary surfaces or other large bodies of material in space.

Wilson, J. W.↗

Lessons Learned and Technical Standards: A Logical Marriage

A comprehensive database of lessons learned that corresponds with relevant technical standards would be a boon to technical personnel and standards developers. The authors discuss the emergence of one such database within NASA, and show how and why the incorporation of lessons learned into technical standards databases can be an indispensable tool for government and industry. Passed down from parent to child, teacher to pupil, and from senior to junior employees, lessons learned have been the basis for our accomplishments throughout the ages. Government and industry, too, have long recognized the need to systematically document And utilize the knowledge gained from past experiences in order to avoid the repetition of failures and mishaps. The use of lessons learned is a principle component of any organizational culture committed to continuous improvement. They have formed the foundation for discoveries, inventions, improvements, textbooks, and technical standards. Technical standards are a very logical way to communicate these lessons. Using the time-honored tradition of passing on lessons learned while utilizing the newest in information technology, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched an intensive effort to link lessons learned with specific technical standards through various Internet databases. This article will discuss the importance of lessons learned to engineers, the difficulty in finding relevant lessons learned while engaged in an engineering project, and the new NASA project that can help alleviate this difficulty. The article will conclude with recommendations for more expanded cross-sectoral uses of lessons learned with reference to technical standards.

Gill, Paul↗

Multiwavelength Luminosity Functions of Galaxies

I have developed a technique for measuring multi-variate luminosity functions of galaxies. Multivariate or multi-wavelength luminosity functions will reveal the interplay between star formation, chemical evolution, and absorption and re-emission of dust within evolving galaxy populations. By using principle component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the problem, I optimally extract the relevant photometric information from large galaxy catalogs. As a demonstration of the technique, I derive the multiwavelength luminosity function for the galaxies in the released SDSS catalog, and show that the results are consistent with those obtained by traditional methods. This technique will be applicable to catalogs of galaxies from datasets obtained by the SIRTF and GALEX missions.

Gardner, Jonathan↗

MGS/TES-Odyssey/THEMIS-IR Analysis of Localized Low Albedo Regions in Valles Marineris

We are conducting a systematic analysis of small (approximately 10's of km), localized regions in Valles Marineris that display significant albedo differences relative to their surroundings. This analysis is based on a finding that the locations of the hematite deposits identified by [1] in the interior layered deposits of Valles Marineris typically coincide with regions having a low MGS/TES visible bolometric albedo [1,2]. Until recently, it was difficult to identify the morphology or geologic context of the regions containing the hematite deposits. However, with the recent advent of high-resolution (1/128 /pixel) MOLA grided topography and Mars Odyssey s THEMIS-IR instrument, it has been possible to better understand the morphologic context of TES observations. This analysis combines the use of PDS-released data from the MGS/TES visible bolometer and infrared spectrometer, the Odyssey/THEMIS Infrared imager, and MOLA grided topography. First, the TES infrared bolometer is used to identify regions of interesting albedo variability, and is overlaid on Viking controlled photomosaics for context. THEMIS-IR data, in conjunction with MOLA topography, is then used to: 1) identify the context and morphology of the area; and 2) identify spectrally unique regions at the km scale. In preparation for the latter, all the THEMIS planes are coregistered using an autocorrelation routine, the data are converted to brightness temperature and then each plane is normalized to the brightness temperature of the third plane (1261 cm-1). We then perform a 3-band search for color variations and a Principle Components Analysis (PCA) of the 8 unique bands in the THEMIS-IR dataset. Any variability is then investigated using both THEMIS-IR and TES spectra of the same regions. In both cases, the spectra are ratioed to near-simultaneously acquired spectra of adjacent or "average" regions that do not show this albedo variation, therefore allowing us to identify spectral variability unique to the area of interest. This procedure also allows us to account for calibration problems in THEMIS-IR data, and for any atmospheric effects in both the THEMIS-IR and the TES data.

E Z Noe Dobrea↗

Summary and Recommendations for Future Work

The safety of astronauts is the primary concern of all space missions. Space radiation has been identified as a major concern for ISS, and minimizing radiation risks during EVA is a principle component of NASA s radiation protection program. The space suit plays a critical role in shielding astronauts from EVA radiation exposures. In cooperation with the JSC Extravehicular Activity Project Office, and the Space Radiation Health Project Office, the NASA EMU and RSA Orlan space suits were taken to the LLUPTF for a series of measurements with proton and electron beams to simulate exposures during EVA operations. Additional tests with material layouts of the EMU suit sleeve were made in collaboration with NASA LaRC at the LBNL 88-inch cyclotron and at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Alternating Gradient Synchrotron.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

3-D VLSI Architecture Implementation for Data Fusion Problems

This paper gives an overview of hardware implementation techniques employed in solving real-time classification problems using Neural Network, Principle Component Analysis (PCA), and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) techniques.

3-D VLSI architecture data fusion neural networks↗

Radiometric Modeling and Calibration of the Geostationary Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS)Ground Based Measurement Experiment

The ultimate remote sensing benefits of the high resolution Infrared radiance spectrometers will be realized with their geostationary satellite implementation in the form of imaging spectrometers. This will enable dynamic features of the atmosphere s thermodynamic fields and pollutant and greenhouse gas constituents to be observed for revolutionary improvements in weather forecasts and more accurate air quality and climate predictions. As an important step toward realizing this application objective, the Geostationary Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) Engineering Demonstration Unit (EDU) was successfully developed under the NASA New Millennium Program, 2000-2006. The GIFTS-EDU instrument employs three focal plane arrays (FPAs), which gather measurements across the long-wave IR (LWIR), short/mid-wave IR (SMWIR), and visible spectral bands. The GIFTS calibration is achieved using internal blackbody calibration references at ambient (260 K) and hot (286 K) temperatures. In this paper, we introduce a refined calibration technique that utilizes Principle Component (PC) analysis to compensate for instrument distortions and artifacts, therefore, enhancing the absolute calibration accuracy. This method is applied to data collected during the GIFTS Ground Based Measurement (GBM) experiment, together with simultaneous observations by the accurately calibrated AERI (Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer), both simultaneously zenith viewing the sky through the same external scene mirror at ten-minute intervals throughout a cloudless day at Logan Utah on September 13, 2006. The accurately calibrated GIFTS radiances are produced using the first four PC scores in the GIFTS-AERI regression model. Temperature and moisture profiles retrieved from the PC-calibrated GIFTS radiances are verified against radiosonde measurements collected throughout the GIFTS sky measurement period. Using the GIFTS GBM calibration model, we compute the calibrated radiances from data collected during the moon tracking and viewing experiment events. From which, we derive the lunar surface temperature and emissivity associated with the moon viewing measurements.

Tian, Jialin↗