29,163 research outputs found
A Fast and Accurate Nonlinear Spectral Method for Image Recognition and Registration
This article addresses the problem of two- and higher dimensional pattern
matching, i.e. the identification of instances of a template within a larger
signal space, which is a form of registration. Unlike traditional correlation,
we aim at obtaining more selective matchings by considering more strict
comparisons of gray-level intensity. In order to achieve fast matching, a
nonlinear thresholded version of the fast Fourier transform is applied to a
gray-level decomposition of the original 2D image. The potential of the method
is substantiated with respect to real data involving the selective
identification of neuronal cell bodies in gray-level images.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Seismic vulnerability assessment of the old city centre of Seixal, Portugal
The seismic vulnerability assessment of old traditional masonry building stocks, in a seismic risk mitigation perspective, is truly essential not only for buildings with recognized historical and patrimonial value, but also, in relation to regular buildings. In this sense, this paper approaches the issue of the seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry buildings through the application of a simplified methodology to building stock of the old city centre of Seixal, Portugal. This methodology is based on a vulnerability index, suitable in the evaluation of damage and in the creation of large scale loss scenarios (economical and human). Over 500 buildings were evaluated in accordance with the referred methodology and the results obtained were then integrated into a Geographical Information System tool. The integration of this kind of vulnerability and loss results into a GIS tool allows that city councils or regional authorities make their decisions based on a global view of the site under analysis, which led to more accurate and faster decisions either in terms of risk mitigation strategies or rehabilitation plans. This tool can also assumes great importance in the construction of safety and rescue plans
Vulnerability assessment of urban building stock: a hierarchic approach
In the last decades the evaluation of the seismic risk are of rising concern, considered essential in the activity and
definition of strategy planning and urban management. The evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of the existent building stock
in the perspective of the seismic risk mitigation should not be placed only in relation to the isolated buildings of relevant
historical and cultural importance, but also, in relation to the agglomerate of buildings in urban centres. The chronological
construction process frequently results in characteristic heterogeneity of masonry and wall connection quality. In addition,
buildings do not constitute independent units given that they share the mid-walls with adjacent buildings and the façade walls are
aligned. This way, as post-seismic observations proved, buildings do not have an independent structural behaviour, but they
interact amongst themselves, mainly for horizontal actions and so the structural performance should be studied at the level of the
aggregate and not only for each isolated building. In most cases, for masonry structures there is no need for sophisticated
dynamic analyses for seismic resistance verification or vulnerability assessment. This is even more relevant when an assessment
at the level of a city centre is pursued. In this work, the results of evaluation of the vulnerability will be presented in accordance
to three proposed methodologies based on a vulnerability index that consequently allows the evaluation of damage and creation
of loss scenarios (economical and human) not only at the level of the building and its façade walls but also at the level of the
aggregates. It will be discussed and evaluated the application of the referred methodologies and its integration in an SIG
platform
Wavepacket scattering on graphene edges in the presence of a (pseudo) magnetic field
The scattering of a Gaussian wavepacket in armchair and zigzag graphene edges
is theoretically investigated by numerically solving the time dependent
Schr\"odinger equation for the tight-binding model Hamiltonian. Our theory
allows to investigate scattering in reciprocal space, and depending on the type
of graphene edge we observe scattering within the same valley, or between
different valleys. In the presence of an external magnetic field, the well know
skipping orbits are observed. However, our results demonstrate that in the case
of a pseudo-magnetic field, induced by non-uniform strain, the scattering by an
armchair edge results in a non-propagating edge state.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
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