Revisiting Complex Moments For 2D Shape Representation and Image Normalization

When comparing 2D shapes, a key issue is their normalization. Translation and scale are easily taken care of by removing the mean and normalizing the energy. However, defining and computing the orientation of a 2D shape is not so simple. In fact, although for elongated shapes the principal axis can be used to define one of two possible orientations, there is no such tool for general shapes. As we show in the paper, previous approaches fail to compute the orientation of even noiseless observations of simple shapes. We address this problem. In the paper, we show how to uniquely define the orientation of an arbitrary 2D shape, in terms of what we call its Principal Moments. We show that a small subset of these moments suffice to represent the underlying 2D shape and propose a new method to efficiently compute the shape orientation: Principal Moment Analysis. Finally, we discuss how this method can further be applied to normalize grey-level images. Besides the theoretical proof of correctness, we describe experiments demonstrating robustness to noise and illustrating the method with real images.Comment: 69 pages, 20 figure

Results for Channel Error Profiles for DECT

This letter presents the main statistical characterization of the underlying error process obtained in the case of the Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) radio system. By simulation of the transmission link, error sequences are generated for different channel parameters. Relevant statistics are then computed for the purpose of efficient channel coding design and evaluation

The Balloon-Borne Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (BLAST) 2005: A 10 deg^2 Survey of Star Formation in Cygnus X

We present Cygnus X in a new multi-wavelength perspective based on an unbiased BLAST survey at 250, 350, and 500 μm, combined with rich data sets for this well-studied region. Our primary goal is to investigate the early stages of high-mass star formation. We have detected 184 compact sources in various stages of evolution across all three BLAST bands. From their well-constrained spectral energy distributions, we obtain the physical properties mass, surface density, bolometric luminosity, and dust temperature. Some of the bright sources reaching 40 K contain well-known compact H_(II) regions. We relate these to other sources at earlier stages of evolution via the energetics as deduced from their position in the luminosity-mass (L-M) diagram. The BLAST spectral coverage, near the peak of the spectral energy distribution of the dust, reveals fainter sources too cool (~10 K) to be seen by earlier shorter-wavelength surveys like IRAS. We detect thermal emission from infrared dark clouds and investigate the phenomenon of cold "starless cores" more generally. Spitzer images of these cold sources often show stellar nurseries, but these potential sites for massive star formation are "starless" in the sense that to date there is no massive protostar in a vigorous accretion phase. We discuss evolution in the context of the L-M diagram. Theory raises some interesting possibilities: some cold massive compact sources might never form a cluster containing massive stars, and clusters with massive stars might not have an identifiable compact cold massive precursor

Strain mapping and nanocrystallite size determination by neutron diffraction in an aluminum alloy (AA5083) severely plastically deformed through equal channel angular pressing

Six specimens of an aluminum alloy (AA-5083) extruded by Equal Channel Angular Pressing following two different routes plus a blank sample were examined with a neutron radiation of 1.5448 Å. Macrostrain maps from the (311) reflection were obtained. A clear difference about accumulated macrostrain with the extrusion cycles between the two routes is shown. The diffraction data of annealed specimens did permit to estimate crystallite sizes that range between 89 nm and 115 nm depending on the routes

LA TOMA DE DECISIONES EN ORGANIZACIONES COMUNALES: UNA VISI 3N DESDE LA COMPLEJIDAD

La intencionalidad de la investigaci\uf3n es develar una visi\uf3n desde la complejidad para explicar la toma de decisiones en organizaciones comunales, es decir, la realidad y la construcci\uf3n de conocimiento de acciones, interacciones en constante di\ue1logo, donde los opuestos son vistos como un todo sobre la premisa del desorden creador y la linealidad para el estudio del mundo fenom\ue9nico signado por el car\ue1cter hologram\ue1tico. El escenario emp\uedrico lo constituye el Consejo Comunal El Ujano II de la Parroquia Santa Rosa, Municipio Iribarren, Estado Lara. Como m\ue9todo Teor\ueda Fundamentada desde la perspectiva que propone la construcci\uf3n interpretativa, seg\ufan la cual se retoman las ideas originales de la propuesta Glaser-Strauss y se les incorporan las explicaciones de los sentimientos de los individuos a medida que experimentan un fen\uf3meno o proceso y las creencias y valores del investigador. Las t\ue9cnicas de recolecci\uf3n de informaci\uf3n vienen dadas por la observaci\uf3n y entrevistas a profundidad. Las categor\uedas que emergieron fueron: toma de decisiones consensuada, l\uedder comunal y competencias para la gesti\uf3n comunitaria. Entre los hallazgos destacan la organizaci\uf3n comunal como sistema din\ue1mico y complejo conformado por m\ufaltiples entidades y procesos interrelacionados, grados de incertidumbres y multidimensionalidad del ser humano integrado y adecuado en la construcci\uf3n diaria del consenso para la toma de decisiones y accionar comunal. Palabras Clave: Toma de decisi\uf3n, organizaciones comunales, complejidad. ABSTRACT The intentionality of the research is to reveal a vision from the complexity to explain the decision making in community organizations, that is to say, the reality and the construction of knowledge of actions, interactions in constant dialogue, where the opposites are seen as a whole on the premise of creative disorder and linearity for the study of the phenomenal world marked by the hologrammatic character. The empirical scenario is constituted by the El Ujano II Communal Council of Santa Rosa Parish, Iribarren Municipality, and Lara State. As a method Theory Grounded from the perspective proposed by the interpretative construction that proposes the interpretative construction, according to which the original ideas of the Glaser-Strauss proposal and explanations of the feelings of individuals are incorporated to the extent that they experience a phenomenon or process and the beliefs and values of the researcher. The techniques for gathering information come from observation and in-depth interviews. The emerging categories are consensual decision-making, the community leader and competencies for community management. Among the findings, the communal organization stands out as a dynamic and complex system made up of multiple entities and interrelated processes, degrees of uncertainty and multidimensionality of the integrated and adequate human being in the daily construction of consensus for decision-making and community action. Keywords: Decision making, community organizations, complexity. <br

Local superconducting density of states of ErNi2B2C

We present local tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy measurements at low temperatures in single crystalline samples of the magnetic superconductor ErNi2B2C. The electronic local density of states shows a striking departure from s-wave BCS theory with a finite value at the Fermi level, which amounts to half of the normal phase density of states.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Highly charged ions: optical clocks and applications in fundamental physics

Recent developments in frequency metrology and optical clocks have been based on electronic transitions in atoms and singly charged ions as references. These systems have enabled relative frequency uncertainties at a level of a few parts in $10^{-18}$. This accomplishment not only allows for extremely accurate time and frequency measurements, but also to probe our understanding of fundamental physics, such as variation of fundamental constants, violation of the local Lorentz invariance, and forces beyond the Standard Model of Physics. In addition, novel clocks are driving the development of sophisticated technical applications. Crucial for applications of clocks in fundamental physics are a high sensitivity to effects beyond the Standard Model and Einstein's Theory of Relativity and a small frequency uncertainty of the clock. Highly charged ions offer both. They have been proposed as highly accurate clocks, since they possess optical transitions which can be extremely narrow and less sensitive to external perturbations compared to current atomic clock species. The selection of highly charged ions in different charge states offers narrow transitions that are among the most sensitive ones for a change in the fine-structure constant and the electron-to-proton mass ratio, as well as other new physics effects. Recent advances in trapping and sympathetic cooling of highly charged ions will in the future enable high accuracy optical spectroscopy. Progress in calculating the properties of selected highly charged ions has allowed the evaluation of systematic shifts and the prediction of the sensitivity to the "new physics" effects. This article reviews the current status of theory and experiment in the field.Comment: 53 pages, 16 figures, submitted to RM

The MIPSGAL View of Supernova Remnants in the Galactic Plane

We report the detection of Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) in the mid-infrared (at 24 and 70 μm), in the coordinate ranges 10° < l < 65° and 285° < l < 350°, |b| < 1°, using MIPS aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope. We search for infrared counterparts to SNRs in Green's catalog and identify 39 out of 121, i.e., a detection rate of about 32%. Such a relatively low detection fraction is mainly due to confusion with nearby foreground/background sources and diffuse emission. The SNRs in our sample show a linear trend in [F_8/F_(24)] versus [F_(70)/F_(24)]. We compare their infrared fluxes with their corresponding radio flux at 1.4 GHz and find that most remnants have a ratio of 70 μm to 1.4 GHz which is similar to those found in previous studies of SNRs (with the exception of a few that have ratios closer to those of H II regions). Furthermore, we retrieve a slope close to unity when correlating infrared (24 and 70 μm) with 1.4 GHz emission. Our survey is more successful in detecting remnants with bright X-ray emission, which we find is well correlated with the 24 μm morphology. Moreover, by comparing the power emitted in the X-ray, infrared, and radio, we conclude that the energy released in the infrared is comparable to the cooling in the X-ray range

Does the location of manufacturing determine service sectors’ location choices? Evidence from Portugal

Considering the case of Portugal over the period 1995-2000, this paper analyses whether the location of market services is explained by the geographical proximity of the industrial sectors that use these services as intermediate inputs. A rather detailed level of regional disaggregation is used, namely the county level (275 counties). This influence is confirmed by the results of some location indices and by the regressions made for each sector. An alternative spatial unit is also used, consisting of the county itself combined with those with which it shares boundaries, showing the relevance of the level of regional disaggregation for the results obtained