7,260 research outputs found
Image-Processing Techniques for the Creation of Presentation-Quality Astronomical Images
The quality of modern astronomical data, the power of modern computers and
the agility of current image-processing software enable the creation of
high-quality images in a purely digital form. The combination of these
technological advancements has created a new ability to make color astronomical
images. And in many ways it has led to a new philosophy towards how to create
them. A practical guide is presented on how to generate astronomical images
from research data with powerful image-processing programs. These programs use
a layering metaphor that allows for an unlimited number of astronomical
datasets to be combined in any desired color scheme, creating an immense
parameter space to be explored using an iterative approach. Several examples of
image creation are presented.
A philosophy is also presented on how to use color and composition to create
images that simultaneously highlight scientific detail and are aesthetically
appealing. This philosophy is necessary because most datasets do not correspond
to the wavelength range of sensitivity of the human eye. The use of visual
grammar, defined as the elements which affect the interpretation of an image,
can maximize the richness and detail in an image while maintaining scientific
accuracy. By properly using visual grammar, one can imply qualities that a
two-dimensional image intrinsically cannot show, such as depth, motion and
energy. In addition, composition can be used to engage viewers and keep them
interested for a longer period of time. The use of these techniques can result
in a striking image that will effectively convey the science within the image,
to scientists and to the public.Comment: 104 pages, 38 figures, submitted to A
Dimpling process in cold roll metal forming by finite element modelling and experimental validation
The dimpling process is a novel cold-roll forming process that involves dimpling of a rolled flat strip prior to the roll forming operation. This is a process undertaken to enhance the material properties and subsequent products’ structural performance while maintaining a minimum strip thickness. In order to understand the complex and interrelated nonlinear changes in contact, geometry and material properties that occur in the process, it is necessary to accurately simulate the process and validate through physical tests. In this paper, 3D non-linear finite element analysis was employed to simulate the dimpling process and mechanical testing of the subsequent dimpled sheets, in which the dimple geometry and material properties data were directly transferred from the dimpling process. Physical measurements, tensile and bending tests on dimpled sheet steel were conducted to evaluate the simulation results. Simulation of the dimpling process identified the amount of non-uniform plastic strain introduced and the manner in which this was distributed through the sheet. The plastic strain resulted in strain hardening which could correlate to the increase in the strength of the dimpled steel when compared to plain steel originating from the same coil material. A parametric study revealed that the amount of plastic strain depends upon on the process parameters such as friction and overlapping gap between the two forming rolls. The results derived from simulations of the tensile and bending tests were in good agreement with the experimental ones. The validation indicates that the finite element analysis was able to successfully simulate the dimpling process and mechanical properties of the subsequent dimpled steel products
Supraclavicularis proprius muscle associated with supraclavicular nerve entrapment
Entrapment neuropathy of the supraclavicular nerve is rare and, when it occurs, is usually attributable to branching of the nerve into narrow bony clavicular canals. We describe another mechanism for entrapment of this nerve with the aberrant muscle; supraclavicularis being found during the routine dissection of an embalmed 82-year-old cadaver. Our report details a unique location for this rare muscular variation whereby the muscle fibres originated posteriorly on the medial aspect of the clavicle before forming a muscular arch over the supraclavicular nerve and passing laterally towards the trapezius and acromion. We recommend that in clinical instances of otherwise unexplained unilateral clavicular pain or tenderness, nerve compression from the supraclavicularis muscle must be borne in mind.
Optical Response of Grating-Coupler-Induced Intersubband Resonances: The Role of Wood's Anomalies
Grating-coupler-induced collective intersubband transitions in a
quasi-two-dimensional electron system are investigated both experimentally and
theoretically. Far-infrared transmission experiments are performed on samples
containing a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas quantum-confined in a parabolic
quantum well. For rectangular shaped grating couplers of different periods we
observe a strong dependence of the transmission line shape and peak height on
the period of the grating, i.e. on the wave vector transfer from the diffracted
beams to the collective intersubband resonance. It is shown that the line shape
transforms with increasing grating period from a Lorentzian into a strongly
asymmetric line shape. Theoretically, we treat the problem by using the
transfer-matrix method of local optics and apply the modal-expansion method to
calculate the influence of the grating. The optically uniaxial
quasi-two-dimensional electron gas is described in the long-wavelength limit of
the random-phase approximation by a local dielectric tensor, which includes
size quantization effects. Our theory reproduces excellently the experimental
line shapes. The deformation of the transmission line shapes we explain by the
occurrence of both types of Wood's anomalies.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures. Physical Review B , in pres
Driven Intrinsic Localized Modes in a Coupled Pendulum Array
Intrinsic localized modes (ILMs), also called discrete breathers, are
directly generated via modulational instability in an array of coupled
pendulums. These ILMs can be stabilized over a range of driver frequencies and
amplitudes. They are characterized by a pi-phase difference between their
center and wings. At higher driver frequencies, these ILMs are observed to
disintegrate via a pulsating instability, and the mechanism of this breather
instability is investigated.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure
Ethanol Plant Location Determinants and County Comparative Advantage
The location of ethanol plants is determined by infrastructure, product and input markets, fiscal attributes of local communities, and state and federal incentives. This empirical analysis uses probit regression along with spatial clustering methods to analyze investment activity of ethanol plants at the county level for the lower U.S. 48 states from 2000 to 2007. The availability of feedstock dominates the site selection decision. Other factors, such as access to navigable rivers or railroads, product markets, producer credit and excise tax exemptions, and methyl tertiary-butyl ether bans provided some counties with a comparative advantage in attracting ethanol plants.cluster analysis, comparative advantage, ethanol production, location model, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Environmental Economics and Policy, Political Economy, R1, R3,
Finite Element Analysis of Cold-Formed Dimpled Steel Columns
Dimpled steel products are produced from the combination of an innovative dimpling process and a traditional forming process such as cold-roll forming or press-braking. The wider use of cold-formed dimpled steel members has promoted considerable interest in the local instability and strength of these members. Of particular interest is their buckling behaviour and ultimate strength capacity. However, the dimpling process produces cold-formed sections with a complex ‘dimpled’ surface topography and the ‘dimpled’ material is nonuniformly work hardened through the entire thickness. Owing to these complex issues, there are no existing methods to calculate the buckling strength of the dimpled products and validate against physical measurements. This paper presents a Finite Element analysis of the compressive behaviour of cold-formed dimpled steel columns. True stress-strain data obtained from physical tests were incorporated into nonlinear simulations of dimpled steel columns. The simulation results were compared with compression test results on dimpled channel and lipped channel columns and good agreements in both buckling and ultimate strength were obtained. It is demonstrated that the Finite Element analysis can therefore be used to analyse and design cold-formed dimpled steel columns
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