42,277 research outputs found
Fast and Robust Small Infrared Target Detection Using Absolute Directional Mean Difference Algorithm
Infrared small target detection in an infrared search and track (IRST) system
is a challenging task. This situation becomes more complicated when high
gray-intensity structural backgrounds appear in the field of view (FoV) of the
infrared seeker. While the majority of the infrared small target detection
algorithms neglect directional information, in this paper, a directional
approach is presented to suppress structural backgrounds and develop a more
effective detection algorithm. To this end, a similar concept to the average
absolute gray difference (AAGD) is utilized to construct a novel directional
small target detection algorithm called absolute directional mean difference
(ADMD). Also, an efficient implementation procedure is presented for the
proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm effectively enhances the target area
and eliminates background clutter. Simulation results on real infrared images
prove the significant effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.Comment: The Final version (Accepted in Signal Processing journal
Thermo-visual feature fusion for object tracking using multiple spatiogram trackers
In this paper, we propose a framework that can efficiently combine features for robust tracking based on fusing the outputs of multiple spatiogram trackers. This is achieved without the exponential increase in storage and processing that other multimodal tracking approaches suffer from. The framework allows the features to be split arbitrarily between the trackers, as well as providing the flexibility to add, remove or dynamically weight features. We derive a mean-shift type algorithm for the framework that allows efficient object tracking with very low computational overhead. We especially target the fusion of thermal infrared and visible spectrum features as the most useful features for automated surveillance applications. Results are shown on multimodal video sequences clearly illustrating the benefits of combining multiple features using our framework
Estimation of forest variables using airborne laser scanning
Airborne laser scanning can provide three-dimensional measurements of the forest canopy with high efficiency and precision. There are presently a large number of airborne laser scanning instruments in operation. The aims of the studies reported in this thesis were, to develop and validate methods for estimation of forest variables using laser data, and to investigate the influence of laser system parameters on the estimates. All studies were carried out in hemi-boreal forest at a test area in southwestern Sweden (lat. 58°30âN, long. 13°40â E). Forest variables were estimated using regression models. On plot level, the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for mean tree height estimations ranged between 6% and 11% of the average value for different datasets and methods. The RMSE for stem volume estimations ranged between 19% and 26% of the average value for different datasets and methods. On stand level (area 0.64 ha), the RMSE was 3% and 11% of the average value for mean tree height and stem volume estimations, respectively. A simulation model was used to investigate the effect of different scanning angles on laser measurement of tree height and canopy closure. The effect of different scanning angles was different within different simulated forest types, e.g., different tree species. High resolution laser data were used for detection of individual trees. In total, 71% of the field measurements were detected representing 91% of the total stem volume. Height and crown diameter of the detected trees could be estimated with a RMSE of 0.63 m and 0.61 m, respectively. The magnitude of the height estimation errors was similar to what is usually achieved using field inventory. Using different laser footprint diameters (0.26 to 3.68 m) gave similar estimation accuracies. The tree species Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were discriminated at individual tree level with an accuracy of 95%. The results in this thesis show that airborne laser scanners are useful as forest inventory tools. Forest variables can be estimated on tree level, plot level and stand level with similar accuracies as traditional field inventories
The Properties of Radio Galaxies and the Effect of Environment in Large Scale Structures at
In this study we investigate 89 radio galaxies that are
spectroscopically-confirmed to be members of five large scale structures in the
redshift range of . Based on a two-stage classification
scheme, the radio galaxies are classified into three sub-classes: active
galactic nucleus (AGN), hybrid, and star-forming galaxy (SFG). We study the
properties of the three radio sub-classes and their global and local
environmental preferences. We find AGN hosts are the most massive population
and exhibit quiescence in their star-formation activity. The SFG population has
a comparable stellar mass to those hosting a radio AGN but are unequivocally
powered by star formation. Hybrids, though selected as an intermediate
population in our classification scheme, were found in almost all analyses to
be a unique type of radio galaxies rather than a mixture of AGN and SFGs. They
are dominated by a high-excitation radio galaxy (HERG) population. We discuss
environmental effects and scenarios for each sub-class. AGN tend to be
preferentially located in locally dense environments and in the cores of
clusters/groups, with these preferences persisting when comparing to galaxies
of similar colour and stellar mass, suggesting that their activity may be
ignited in the cluster/group virialized core regions. Conversely, SFGs exhibit
a strong preference for intermediate-density global environments, suggesting
that dusty starbursting activity in LSSs is largely driven by galaxy-galaxy
interactions and merging.Comment: 28 pages, 10 figures, accepted to MNRA
A highly magnified candidate for a young galaxy seen when the Universe was 500 Myrs old
The early Universe at redshift z\sim6-11 marks the reionization of the
intergalactic medium, following the formation of the first generation of stars.
However, those young galaxies at a cosmic age of \lesssim 500 million years
(Myr, at z \gtrsim 10) remain largely unexplored as they are at or beyond the
sensitivity limits of current large telescopes. Gravitational lensing by galaxy
clusters enables the detection of high-redshift galaxies that are fainter than
what otherwise could be found in the deepest images of the sky. We report the
discovery of an object found in the multi-band observations of the cluster
MACS1149+22 that has a high probability of being a gravitationally magnified
object from the early universe. The object is firmly detected (12 sigma) in the
two reddest bands of HST/WFC3, and not detected below 1.2 {\mu}m, matching the
characteristics of z\sim9 objects. We derive a robust photometric redshift of z
= 9.6 \pm 0.2, corresponding to a cosmic age of 490 \pm 15Myr (i.e., 3.6% of
the age of the Universe). The large number of bands used to derive the redshift
estimate make it one of the most accurate estimates ever obtained for such a
distant object. The significant magnification by cluster lensing (a factor of
\sim15) allows us to analyze the object's ultra-violet and optical luminosity
in its rest-frame, thus enabling us to constrain on its stellar mass,
star-formation rate and age. If the galaxy is indeed at such a large redshift,
then its age is less than 200 Myr (at the 95% confidence level), implying a
formation redshift of zf \lesssim 14. The object is the first z>9 candidate
that is bright enough for detailed spectroscopic studies with JWST,
demonstrating the unique potential of galaxy cluster fields for finding highly
magnified, intrinsically faint galaxies at the highest redshifts.Comment: Submitted to the Nature Journal. 39 Pages, 13 figure
SPIRE Point Source Catalog Explanatory Supplement
The Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) was launched as one of
the scientific instruments on board of the space observatory Herschel. The
SPIRE photometer opened up an entirely new window in the Submillimeter domain
for large scale mapping, that up to then was very difficult to observe. There
are already several catalogs that were produced by individual Herschel science
projects. Yet, we estimate that the objects of only a fraction of these maps
will ever be systematically extracted and published by the science teams that
originally proposed the observations. The SPIRE instrument performed its
standard photometric observations in an optically very stable configuration,
only moving the telescope across the sky, with variations in its configuration
parameters limited to scan speed and sampling rate. This and the scarcity of
features in the data that require special processing steps made this dataset
very attractive for producing an expert reduced catalog of point sources that
is being described in this document. The Catalog was extracted from a total of
6878 unmodified SPIRE scan map observations. The photometry was obtained by a
systematic and homogeneous source extraction procedure, followed by a rigorous
quality check that emphasized reliability over completeness. Having to exclude
regions affected by strong Galactic emission, that pushed the limits of the
four source extraction methods that were used, this catalog is aimed primarily
at the extragalactic community. The result can serve as a pathfinder for ALMA
and other Submillimeter and Far-Infrared facilities. 1,693,718 sources are
included in the final catalog, splitting into 950688, 524734, 218296 objects
for the 250\mu m, 350\mu m, and 500\mu m bands, respectively. The catalog comes
with well characterized environments, reliability, completeness, and
accuracies, that single programs typically cannot provide
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