From non-symmetric particle systems to non-linear PDEs on fractals

We present new results and challenges in obtaining hydrodynamic limits for non-symmetric (weakly asymmetric) particle systems (exclusion processes on pre-fractal graphs) converging to a non-linear heat equation. We discuss a joint density-current law of large numbers and a corresponding large deviations principle.Comment: v2: 10 pages, 1 figure. To appear in the proceedings for the 2016 conference "Stochastic Partial Differential Equations & Related Fields" in honor of Michael R\"ockner's 60th birthday, Bielefel

Teaching old NCATs new tricks: using non-canonical amino acid tagging to study neuronal plasticity

The non-canonical amino acid labeling techniques BONCAT (bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging) and FUNCAT (fluorescent non-canonical amino acid tagging) enable the specific identification and visualization of newly synthesized proteins. Recently, these techniques have been applied to neuronal systems to elucidate protein synthesis dynamics during plasticity, identify stimulation-induced proteomes and subproteomes and to investigate local protein synthesis in specific subcellular compartments. The next generation of tools and applications, reviewed here, includes the development of new tags, the quantitative identification of newly synthesized proteins, the application of NCAT to whole animals, and the ability to genetically restrict NCAT labeling. These techniques will enable not only improved detection but also allow new scientific questions to be tackled

A disrupted circumstellar torus inside eta Carinae's Homunculus Nebula

We present thermal infrared images of the bipolar nebula surrounding eta Carinae at six wavelengths from 4.8 to 24.5 microns. These were obtained with the MIRAC3 camera system at the Magellan Observatory. Our images reveal new intricate structure in the bright core of the nebula, allowing us to re-evaluate interpretations of morphology seen in images with lower resolution. Complex structures in the core might not arise from a pair of overlapping rings or a cool (110 K) and very massive dust torus, as has been suggested recently. Instead, it seems more likely that the arcs and compact knots comprise a warm (350 K) disrupted torus at the intersection of the larger polar lobes. Some of the arcs appear to break out of the inner core region, and may be associated with equatorial features seen in optical images. The torus could have been disrupted by a post-eruption stellar wind, or by ejecta from the Great Eruption itself if the torus existed before that event. Kinematic data are required to rule out either possibility.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures (Fig. 1 in color); to appear in ApJ Letter

Probing the origin of extragalactic magnetic fields with Fast Radio Bursts

The joint analysis of the Dispersion and Faraday Rotation Measure from distant, polarised Fast Radio Bursts may be used to put constraints on the origin and distribution of extragalactic magnetic fields on cosmological scales. While the combination of Dispersion and Faraday Rotation Measure can in principle give the average magnetic fields along the line-of-sight,in practice this method must be used with care because it strongly depends on the assumed magnetisation model on large cosmological scales. Our simulations show that the observation of Rotation Measures with greater than or equal to 1 − 10 rad/m2 in ∼ 10^2 − 10^3 Fast Radio Bursts will likely be able to discriminate between extreme scenarios for the origin of cosmic magnetic fields, independent of the exact distribution of sources with redshift. This represent a strong case for incoming (e.g. ALERT, CHIME) and future (e.g. with the Square Kilometer Array) radio polarisation surveys of the sky

Dissecting the origin of the submillimeter emission in nearby galaxies with Herschel and LABOCA

We model the infrared to submillimeter spectral energy distribution of 11 nearby galaxies of the KINGFISH sample using Spitzer and Herschel data and compare model extrapolations at 870um (using different fitting techniques) with LABOCA 870um observations. We investigate how the differences between predictions and observations vary with model assumptions or environment. At global scales, we find that modified blackbody models using realistic cold emissivity indices (beta_c=2 or 1.5) are able to reproduce the 870um observed emission within the uncertainties for most of the sample. Low values (beta_c<1.3) would be required in NGC0337, NGC1512 and NGC7793. At local scales, we observe a systematic 870um excess when using beta_=2.0. The beta_c=1.5 or the Draine and Li (2007) models can reconcile predictions with observations in part of the disks. Some of the remaining excesses occur towards the centres and can be partly or fully accounted for by non-dust contributions such as CO(3-2) or, to a lesser extent, free-free or synchrotron emission. In three non-barred galaxies, the remaining excesses rather occur in the disk outskirts. This could be a sign of a flattening of the submm slope (and decrease of the effective emissivity index) with radius in these objects.Comment: 31 pages (including appendix), 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Spitzer Observations of Low Luminosity Isolated and Low Surface Brightness Galaxies

We examine the infrared properties of five low surface brightness galaxies (LSBGs) and compare them with related but higher surface brightness galaxies, using Spitzer Space Telescope images and spectra. All the LSBGs are detected in the 3.6 and 4.5um bands, representing the stellar population. All but one are detected at 5.8 and 8.0um, revealing emission from hot dust and aromatic molecules, though many are faint or point-like at these wavelengths. Detections of LSBGs at the far-infrared wavelengths, 24, 70, and 160um, are varied in morphology and brightness, with only two detections at 160um, resulting in highly varied spectral energy distributions. Consistent with previous expectations for these galaxies, we find that detectable dust components exist for only some LSBGs, with the strength of dust emission dependent on the existence of bright star forming regions. However, the far-infrared emission may be relatively weak compared with normal star-forming galaxies.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, accepted to Ap

Integrity - A topic for photogrammetry?

Photogrammetric methods and sensors like LIDAR, RADAR and cameras are becoming more and more important for new applications like highly automatic driving, since they enable capturing relative information of the ego vehicle w.r.t its environment. Integrity measure the trust that we can put in the navigation information of a system. The concept of integrity was first developed for civil aviation and is linked to reliability concepts well known in geodesy and photogrammetry. Currently, the navigation community is discussing how to guarantee integrity for car navigation and multi-sensor systems. In this paper, we will give a short review on integrity concepts and on the current discussion of how to apply it to car navigation. We will discuss which role photogrammetry could play to solve the open issues in the integrity definition and monitoring for multi-sensor systems. © 2020 International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences - ISPRS Archives

Calibration and validation of Corona Kh-4B to generate height models and orthoimages

At 48 years of age CORONA-KH-4B images are important for actual urban planning in Bangladesh, where no old maps or aerial images exist, indicating locations of former water courses that are no longer visible, but causing problems for the stability of building ground. CORONA KH-4B images are available for very low cost or even free of charge. A forward and a backward-looking panoramic camera with a nadir angle of approximately 15° enabled a stereoscopic coverage. Taken from a height of 154km, an image covers approximately 220km&thinsp;&times;&thinsp;14km up to 17km with a height to base relation of 1:1.85. The ground sampling distance (GSD) varies with the incidence angle from 1.77m in the centre of the image up to 2.18m in Y-direction and 2.69m in the X-direction at the ends of the images. These nice conditions of the old images are affected by geometric problems of the panoramic images. A geometric bending can be improved by a correction based on the available sidelines, nevertheless deformations dominantly in the longitudinal direction only can be determined based on ground control points. A group of neighboured images have similar deformations, allowing the determination of a correction grid, describing the systematic image errors. This improved the geometry strongly, but could not eliminate all individual and local geometric problems. The high morphologic quality of the CORONA images, but limited absolute height accuracy has been improved by merging with the highly accurate TDM90 height model. For ortho images a fitting of neighboured images was required. © 2020 Copernicus GmbH. All rights reserved

Modeling malic acid dynamics to ensure quality, aroma and freshness of Pinot blanc wines in South Tyrol (Italy)

Pinot blanc is a leading grapevine variety in South Tyrol (Italy) for wine production. The high quality of its wines derives from a typical aroma of elegant apple notes and lively acidity. The typicity of the final wine depends on the origin of the vine, the soil, the oenological practices and time of harvest. The South Tyrolean mountainous areas meet the cold climatic requirements of Pinot blanc, which guarantee its sweet-acidic harmony obtained when organic acids are in balance with the other components of the wine. However, increasing temperatures in valley sites during the berry development period boost the activity of malic acid (MA) enzymes, which negatively affect the final sugar/acid ratio. Researchers are currently focused on understanding acid dynamics in wines, and there are no references for the best sugar/acid ratio for Pinot blanc. Moreover, the contribution of individual acids to the sensory profile of this wine has not yet been studied. In this study we address the effect of different climate conditions and site elevations on the sugar/acid ratio in developmental grapevine berries, and we evaluate the effect on wine bouquet. Even if different models and indices have been proposed for predicting sugar content, no predictive models exist for MA in white grapes. In a three-year study (2017, 2018 and 2019) that involved eight vineyards in four different location in South Tyrol at various elevations ranging from 223 to 730 m a.s.l., the relationships between bioclimatic indices, such as growing-degree day (GDD) and grapevine sugar ripeness (GSR) and grapevine berry content were investigated. The analysis reveals that GDD may potentially predict MA dynamics in Pinot blanc; hence, a GDD-based model was used to determine the GDD to reach target MA concentrations (3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0 g/L). This simple model was improved with additional temperature-based parameters by feature selection, and the best three advanced models were selected and evaluated by 5-fold cross-validation. These models could be used to support location and harvest date choice to produce high-quality Pinot blanc wines