Practical algorithms for image compression and surface estimation

Practical Algorithms for Image Compression and Surface Estimation describes three algorithms for image compression and one algorithm for surface estimation that incorporates kriging and parametric cubic splines. Two of the image compression algorithms are innovative extensions of the Run Length Encoding image compression algorithm and the third is an image compression technique based on kriging. In general the modified Run Length Encoding algorithms yield a better compression ratio by a factor of two while retaining fast decompression of the image. The algorithm based on kriging achieves a compression ratio up to 250:1 and is unique in that the compressed image can be viewed directly and resembles a scaled version of the original image; Neither kriging nor parametric cubic splines are the theory has existed for many years. The union of the two techniques, however, is unique. The fundamentals of kriging are outlined, three dimensional parametric cubic splines are derived, and finally the union of the two ideas is discussed

Geoid undulations and gravity anomalies over the Aral Sea, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea from a combined GEOS-3/SEASAT/GEOSAT altimeter data set

Satellite-based altimetric data taken by GOES-3, SEASAT, and GEOSAT over the Aral Sea, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea are analyzed and a least squares collocation technique is used to predict the geoid undulations on a 0.25x0.25 deg. grid and to transform these geoid undulations to free air gravity anomalies. Rapp's 180x180 geopotential model is used as the reference surface for the collocation procedure. The result of geoid to gravity transformation is, however, sensitive to the information content of the reference geopotential model used. For example, considerable detailed surface gravity data were incorporated into the reference model over the Black Sea, resulting in a reference model with significant information content at short wavelengths. Thus, estimation of short wavelength gravity anomalies from gridded geoid heights is generally reliable over regions such as the Black Sea, using the conventional collocation technique with local empirical covariance functions. Over regions such as the Caspian Sea, where detailed surface data are generally not incorporated into the reference model, unconventional techniques are needed to obtain reliable gravity anomalies. Based on the predicted gravity anomalies over these inland seas, speculative tectonic structures are identified and geophysical processes are inferred

User's guide: Programs for processing altimeter data over inland seas

The programs described were developed to process GEODYN-formatted satellite altimeter data, and to apply the processed results to predict geoid undulations and gravity anomalies of inland sea areas. These programs are written in standard FORTRAN 77 and are designed to run on the NSESCC IBM 3081(MVS) computer. Because of the experimental nature of these programs they are tailored to the geographical area analyzed. The attached program listings are customized for processing the altimeter data over the Black Sea. Users interested in the Caspian Sea data are expected to modify each program, although the required modifications are generally minor. Program control parameters are defined in the programs via PARAMETER statements and/or DATA statements. Other auxiliary parameters, such as labels, are hard-wired into the programs. Large data files are read in or written out through different input or output units. The program listings of these programs are accompanied by sample IBM job control language (JCL) images. Familiarity with IBM JCL and the TEMPLATE graphic package is assumed

Analysis of altimetry over inland seas

Satellite-based altimetric data taken by GEOS-3 and SEASAT over the Black Sea and Caspian Sea are analyzed and a least squares collocation technique is used to predict the geoid undulation on a .25-degree by .25-degree grid and to transform these geoid undulations to free air gravity anomalies. This project entailed processing satellite altimeter data over inland seas for recovery of area mean gravity information. Gravity information in this area of the world is not readily available, so the possibility of obtaining it from the processing of altimeter observations is attractive. The principal objective was to complete and extend analyses done in a previous study, verify those results, and document the results and techniques. A secondary objective was to improve the algorithms and results, if possible. The approach used involved editing geoid height data to remove overland data; evaluating geoid height differences at crossover points; removing orbit errors from geoid heights using crossover differences; gridding geoid height data at .25-degree by .25-degree intervals; and estimating the gravity anomalies from gridded geoid heights using the collocation technique

Numerical modelling of prestresssing steel tendons under fire and post-fire conditions

The behaviour of prestressing steel tendons under fire and post-fire conditions is investigated numerically employing the ABAQUS package and its user-defined material subroutine UMAT which allows comprehensive constitutive relationships to be implemented. Based on an existing thermal creep model, a new set of parameters are proposed and calibrated against available test results in the literature. The proposed numerical model is versatile in predicting thermal creep, isothermal response and transient thermal relaxation of prestressing steel tendons. Moreover, parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effects of heating rate, heated length ratio, initial stress and various boundary conditions on the thermal relaxation of prestressing steel tendons. Besides, transient state analyses are carried out with constant heating rate and initial stress to investigate the rupture properties of prestressing steel tendons.postprin

Analysis of altimetry over the Aral Sea

Satellite based altimetric data taken by GEOS-3, SEASAT, and GEOSAT over the Aral Sea are analyzed and a least squares collocation technique is used to predict the geoid undulations on a 0.25 by 0.25 degree grid and to transform these geoid undulations to free air gravity anomalies. Rapp's 180 by 180 geopotential model is taken as the empirical model. The collocation procedure is performed with a set of local residual empirical covariance functions. For comparison, Rapp's global covariance functions and Jordan's self-consistent theoretical covariance functions based on Jordan's formulation and on locally derived parameters are also used to grid geoid undulations and to predict gravity anomalies. The sensitivity of the collocation results to the choice of covariance functions is discussed

Split-Plot Central Composite Designs Robust to a Pair of Missing Observations

This study constructs robust split-plot central composite designs against missing pairs of observations. Split-plot central composite designs (CCD) consist of factorial (f), whole-plot axial (α), subplot axial (β), and center (c) points. A loss function in terms of determinant (D) criterion was formulated based on two different configurations of the factorial and axial parts; losses due to missing pairs of observations of these different categories of points were investigated. Robust split-plot central composite designs against missing pairs of observations were then developed under each of the two configurations. It was observed that the losses, Lff, Lββ, and Lfβ, due respectively, to missing pairs of observations of the factorial, subplot axial, and, factorial and subplot axial points, were higher than the losses due to missing pairs of observations of the whole-plot axial and center points given by Lαα and Lcc respectively. Thus the factorial (f) and the subplot axial (β) points were found to be the most influential points in these designs while the whole-plot axial (α) and the center (c) points were less influential. This work has therefore identified and properly classified the losses due to missing design points in the split-plot CCD portions. In this way, the practitioner can avoid the experimental points having less influence from the full CCD experiments and this could lead to a possible increase in design efficiency.Keywords: Robustness, Split-plot Central Composite Designs, Missing observations, loss functio

Topological chiral magnonic edge mode in a magnonic crystal

Topological phases have been explored in various fields in physics such as spintronics, photonics, liquid helium, correlated electron system and cold-atomic system. This leads to the recent foundation of emerging materials such as topological band insulators, topological photonic crystals and topological superconductors/superfluid. In this paper, we propose a topological magnonic crystal which provides protected chiral edge modes for magnetostatic spin waves. Based on a linearized Landau-Lifshitz equation, we show that a magnonic crystal with the dipolar interaction acquires spin-wave volume-mode band with non-zero Chern integer. We argue that such magnonic systems are accompanied by the same integer numbers of chiral spin-wave edge modes within a band gap for the volume-mode bands. In these edge modes, the spin wave propagates in a unidirectional manner without being scattered backward, which implements novel fault-tolerant spintronic devices.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

Phase-change devices for simultaneous optical-electrical applications

This is the final version of the article. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.We present a viable pathway to the design and characterization of phase-change devices operating in a mixed-mode optical-electrical, or optoelectronic, manner. Such devices have potential applications ranging from novel displays to optically-gated switches to reconfigurable metamaterials-based devices. With this in mind, a purpose-built optoelectronics probe station capable of simultaneous optical-electrical excitation and simultaneous optical-electrical response measurement has been designed and constructed. Two prototype phase-change devices that might exploit simultaneous optical and electrical effects and/or require simultaneous optical and electrical characterisation, namely a mixed-mode cross-bar type structure and a microheater-based structure, have been designed, fabricated and characterized. The microheater-based approach was shown to be capable of successful thermally-induced cycling, between amorphous and crystalline states, of large-area phase-change devices, making it attractive for practicable pixel fabrication in phase-change display applications.The authors would like to acknowledge funding via the EPSRC ChAMP and WAFT grants (EP/M015130/1 and EP/M015173/1). Y-YA and CDW would also like to acknowledge funding via US Naval Research Laboratories ONRG programme (#N62909-16-1-2174

Study of design parameters for squeeze film air journal bearing – excitation frequency and amplitude

The paper presents a design of squeeze film air journal bearing based on the design rules derived from CFX and FEA simulation study of an air film in between two flat plates, one of which was driven in a sinusoidal manner. The rules are that the oscillation frequency should be at least 15 kHz and that the oscillation amplitude be as large as possible to ensure a greater film thickness and to allow the bearing to reach its stable equilibrium quickly. The proposed journal bearing is made from AL2024-T3, of 20.02 mm outer diameter, 600 mm length and 2 mm thickness. Three 20-mm long fins are on the outer surface of the bearing tube and are spaced 120° apart; three longitudinal flats are milled equi-spaced between the fins and two piezoelectric actuators are mounted lengthwise on each flat. Such a design produces a modal shape on the bearing tube which resembles a triangle. When excited in this mode at the frequency of 16.37 kHz, and a voltage of 75 V AC with 75 V DC offset acting on the piezoelectric actuators, the air gap underneath of the bearing tube behaves as a squeeze air film with a response amplitude of 3.22 μm. The three design rules were validated by experiments