A look at motion in the frequency domain

A moving image can be specified by a contrast distribution, c(x,y,t), over the dimensions of space x,y, and time t. Alternatively, it can be specified by the distribution C(u,v,w) over spatial frequency u,v and temporal frequency w. The frequency representation of a moving image is shown to have a characteristic form. This permits two useful observations. The first is that the apparent smoothness of time-sampled moving images (apparent motion) can be explained by the filtering action of the human visual system. This leads to the following formula for the required update rate for time-sampled displays. W(c)=W(l)+ru(l) where w(c) is the required update rate in Hz, W(l) is the limit of human temporal resolution in Hz, r is the velocity of the moving image in degrees/sec, and u(l) is the limit of human spatial resolution in cycles/deg. The second observation is that it is possible to construct a linear sensor that responds to images moving in a particular direction. The sensor is derived and its properties are discussed

Uniform apparent contrast noise: A picture of the noise of the visual contrast detection system

A picture which is a sample of random contrast noise is generated. The noise amplitude spectrum in each region of the picture is inversely proportional to spatial frequency contrast sensitivity for that region, assuming the observer fixates the center of the picture and is the appropriate distance from it. In this case, the picture appears to have approximately the same contrast everywhere. To the extent that contrast detection thresholds are determined by visual system noise, this picture can be regarded as a picture of the noise of that system. There is evidence that, at different eccentricities, contrast sensitivity functions differ only by a magnification factor. The picture was generated by filtering a sample of white noise with a filter whose frequency response is inversely proportional to foveal contrast sensitivity. It was then stretched by a space-varying magnification function. The picture summmarizes a noise linear model of detection and discrimination of contrast signals by referring the model noise to the input picture domain

Fourier Decomposition of RR Lyrae light curves and the SX Phe population in the central region of NGC 3201

CCD time-series observations of the central region of the globular cluster NGC~3201 were obtained with the aim of performing the Fourier decomposition of the light curves of the RR~Lyrae stars present in that field. This procedure gave the mean values, for the metallicity, of [Fe/H]$_{ZW}=-1.483 \pm 0.006$ (statistical) $\pm 0.090$ (systematical), and for the distance, $5.000 \pm 0.001$~kpc (statistical) $\pm 0.220$ (systematical). The values found from two RRc stars are consistent with those derived previously. The differential reddening of the cluster was investigated and individual reddenings for the RR Lyrae stars were estimated from their $V-I$ curves. We found an average value of $E(B-V)= 0.23 \pm 0.02$. An investigation of the light curves of stars in the {\it blue stragglers} region led to the discovery of three new SX~Phe stars. The period-luminosity relation of the SX~Phe stars was used for an independent determination of the distance to the cluster and of the individual reddenings. We found a distance of 5.0 kpcComment: To appear in Revista Mexicana de Astronom\'ia y Astrof\'isica, Octuber 2014 issue, Vol 50. 17 pages, 10 figure

Photometric characterization of the Galactic star cluster Trumpler 20

We present deep UBVI photometry for Trumpler 20, a rich, intermediate-age open cluster located at l=301.47, b=+2.22 (RA=12:39:34, DEC=-60:37:00, J2000.0) in the fourth Galactic quadrant. In spite of its interesting properties, this cluster has received little attenti on, probably because the line of sight to it crosses twice the Carina spiral arm, which causes a significant contamination of its color-magnitude diagram (CMD) by field stars, therefore complicating seriously its interpretation. We provide more robust estimates of the fundamental parameters of Trumpler 20, and investigate the most prominent features of its CMD: a rich He-burning star clump, and a vertical sequence of stars above the turnoff, which can be either blue stragglers or field stars. Our precise photometry has allowed us to derive updated values of the age and heliocentric distance of Trumpler 20, which we estimate to be 1.4 $\pm$ 0.2 Gyr and 3.0 $\pm$ 0.3 kpc, respectively. As predicted by models, at this age the clump has a tail towards fainter magnitudes and bluer colors, thus providing further confirmation of the evolutionary status of stars in this particular phase. The derived heliocentric distance places the cluster in the inter-arm region between the Carina and Scutum arms, which naturally explains the presence of the vertical sequence of stars (which was originally interpreted as the cluster itself) observed in the upper part of the CMD.Most of these stars would therefore belong to the general galactic field, while only a few of themwould be bona fide cluster blue stragglers. Our data suggest that the cluster metallicity is solar, and that its reddening is \textit{E(B-V)} = 0.35 $\pm$ 0.04.Comment: 35 pages, 10 eps figures (somewhat degraded in resolution), accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

The window of visibility: A psychological theory of fidelity in time-sampled visual motion displays

Many visual displays, such as movies and television, rely upon sampling in the time domain. The spatiotemporal frequency spectra for some simple moving images are derived and illustrations of how these spectra are altered by sampling in the time domain are provided. A simple model of the human perceiver which predicts the critical sample rate required to render sampled and continuous moving images indistinguishable is constructed. The rate is shown to depend upon the spatial and temporal acuity of the observer, and upon the velocity and spatial frequency content of the image. Several predictions of this model are tested and confirmed. The model is offered as an explanation of many of the phenomena known as apparent motion. Finally, the implications of the model for computer-generated imagery are discussed

The thickening of the thin disk in the third Galactic quadrant

In the third Galactic quadrant (180 < l < 270) of the Milky Way, the Galactic thin disk exhibits a significant warp ---shown both by gas and young stars--- bending down a few kpc below the formal Galactic plane (b=0). This warp shows its maximum at 240, in the direction of the Canis Major constellation. In a series of papers we have traced the detailed structure of this region using open star clusters, putting particular emphasis on the spiral structure of the outer disk. We noticed a conspicuous accumulation of young star clusters within 2-3 kpc from the Sun and close to b=0, that we interpreted as the continuation of the Local (Orion) arm towards the outer disk. While most clusters (and young stars in their background) follow closely the warp of the disk, our decade-old survey of the spiral structure of this region led us to identify three clusters, Haffner~18(1 and 2) and Haffner~19, which remain very close to b=0 and lie at distances (4.5, 8.0, and 6.4 kpc) where most of the material is already significantly warped. Here we report on a search for clusters that share the same properties as Haffner~18 and 19, and investigate the possible reasons for such an unexpected occurrence. We present UBVRI photometry of 5~young clusters, namely NGC~2345, NGC~2374, Trumpler~9, Haffner~20, and Haffner~21, which also lie close to the formal Galactic plane. With the exception of Haffner~20, in the background of these clusters we detected young stars that appear close to b=0, and are located at distances up to 8 kpc from the Sun, thus deviating significantly from the warp. These populations define a structure that distributes over almost the entire third Galactic quadrant. We discuss this structure in the context of a possible thin disk flaring, in full similarity with the Galactic thick disk.Comment: 53 pages, 12 eps figures, in press in the Astronomical Journa

Interbank Rate and the Liquidity of the Market.

In this paper we study the dynamics of the interbank rate in Chile, with special attention to the role of liquidity provided by private depositors and by the central bank’s open market operations on a daily basis. The main aim of this paper is the use of disaggregated and high frequency data on such variables. The most relevant findings are related to the statistical and economic significance of speed of convergence, calendar effects and repos operations. The Central Bank plays a more important role injecting than draining liquidity through discretionary operations. However, there are not asymmetries in terms of the effectiveness of the discretionary injections and drainages operations depending on the liquidity market status. In terms of effect by class of bank, large- and medium-size banks are less receptive to monetary operations; by contrast small-size banks are the most responsive, which is consistent with its traditional position as a liquidity demander. Finally, private deposits do not play an important role on the dynamics of the interbank rate during the sample period.

The Andean Region between american hegemony and the alternative governments in the 21st century: challenges and dilemmas for development

The present paper states that the operationalisation of American strategies in the Andean Region - centered in Colombia - has exacerbated the problems of the region, which has resulted in an acute social and political polarization. The extremes of such a contradiction are the governments of Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador, on the one side; and the Colombian and Peruvian governments with the support of Washington, on the other side. Taking as a context the complex regional interplay presented here, this article is aimed at analyzing the effects of the current international order and of American hegemony in the Andean Region, as well as the bring to bear the perspective of development of these countries, with respect to two issues: 1) The struggle against drugs and terrorism, its social and economic effects, and its connection with the control over territories and strategic resources and, 2) the deepening of the neo-liberal model through the Andean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) and the IMF programs imposed on the countries

Modelling of the circulation in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea with the Princeton Ocean Model

International audienceThe Princeton Ocean Model ? POM (Blumberg and Mellor, 1987) has been implemented in the Northwestern Mediterranean nested (in one-way off-line mode) to a general circulation model of the Mediterranean Sea ? OGCM (Pinardi and Masetti, 2000; Demirov and Pinardi, 2002) in order to investigate if this model configuration is capable of reproducing the major features of the circulation as known from observations and to improve what has been made by previous numerical modeling works. According to the model results, the large-scale cyclonic circulation in the northern part of the Northwestern Mediterranean is, at least in the upper layers, less coherent in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. Furthermore, there is evidence that the mesoscale structure (eddies and meanders) is, during all year, a significant dynamic characteristic in this region of the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, concerning the circulation in the lower layers has been confirmed that the Levantine Intermediate Water and the Western Mediterranean Deep Water follow essentially a cyclonic path during all year