3,909 research outputs found
User oriented ERTS-1 images
Photographic reproduction of ERTS-1 images are capable of displaying only a portion of the total information available from the multispectral scanner. Methods are being developed to generate ERTS-1 images oriented towards special users such as agriculturists, foresters, and hydrologists by applying image enhancement techniques and interactive statistical classification schemes. Spatial boundaries and linear features can be emphasized and delineated using simple filters. Linear and nonlinear transformations can be applied to the spectral data to emphasize certain ground information. An automatic classification scheme was developed to identify particular ground cover classes such as fallow, grain, rape seed or various vegetation covers. The scheme applies the maximum likelihood decision rule to the spectral information and classifies the ERTS-1 image on a pixel by pixel basis. Preliminary results indicate that the classifier has limited success in distinguishing crops, but is well adapted for identifying different types of vegetation
Development of a Rapid and Precise Method of Digital Image Analysis to Quantify Canopy Density and Structural Complexity
Estimation of canopy density is necessary for ecological research and woodland management. However, traditional manual methods are time consuming and subject to interobserver variability, while existing photographic methods usually require expensive fish-eye lenses and complex analysis. Here we introduce and test a new method of digital image analysis, CanopyDigi. This allows user-defined threshold to polarise the 256 grey shades of a standard monochrome bitmap into dark “canopy” and light “sky” pixels (the threshold being selected using false-colour images to ensure its suitability). Canopy density data are calculated automatically and rapidly, and, unlike many other common methods, aggregation data are obtainable using Morisita’s index to differentiate closed (diffuse light) and open (direct light) canopies. Results were highly repeatable in both homogeneous and heterogeneous woodland. Estimates correlated strongly with existing (nondigital) canopy techniques, but quicker and with significantly lower interobserver variability (CV = 3.74% versus 20.73%). We conclude that our new method is an inexpensive and precise technique for quantifying canopy density and aggregation
Statistics on Graphs, Exponential Formula and Combinatorial Physics
The concern of this paper is a famous combinatorial formula known under the
name "exponential formula". It occurs quite naturally in many contexts
(physics, mathematics, computer science). Roughly speaking, it expresses that
the exponential generating function of a whole structure is equal to the
exponential of those of connected substructures. Keeping this descriptive
statement as a guideline, we develop a general framework to handle many
different situations in which the exponential formula can be applied
Exchange parameters from approximate self-interaction correction scheme
The approximate atomic self-interaction corrections (ASIC) method to density
functional theory is put to the test by calculating the exchange interaction
for a number of prototypical materials, critical to local exchange and
correlation functionals. ASIC total energy calculations are mapped onto an
Heisenberg pair-wise interaction and the exchange constants J are compared to
those obtained with other methods. In general the ASIC scheme drastically
improves the bandstructure, which for almost all the cases investigated
resemble closely available photo-emission data. In contrast the results for the
exchange parameters are less satisfactory. Although ASIC performs reasonably
well for systems where the magnetism originates from half-filled bands, it
suffers from similar problems than those of LDA for other situations. In
particular the exchange constants are still overestimated. This reflects a
subtle interplay between exchange and correlation energy, not captured by the
ASIC.Comment: 10 page
First-principles study of ferroelectric domain walls in multiferroic bismuth ferrite
We present a first-principles density functional study of the structural,
electronic and magnetic properties of the ferroelectric domain walls in
multiferroic BiFeO3. We find that domain walls in which the rotations of the
oxygen octahedra do not change their phase when the polarization reorients are
the most favorable, and of these the 109 degree domain wall centered around the
BiO plane has the lowest energy. The 109 degree and 180 degree walls have a
significant change in the component of their polarization perpendicular to the
wall; the corresponding step in the electrostatic potential is consistent with
a recent report of electrical conductivity at the domain walls. Finally, we
show that changes in the Fe-O-Fe bond angles at the domain walls cause changes
in the canting of the Fe magnetic moments which can enhance the local
magnetization at the domain walls.Comment: 9 pages, 20 figure
The State of State Science Standards 2012
American science performance is lagging as the economy becomes increasingly high tech, but our current science standards are doing little to solve the problem. Reviewers evaluated science standards for every state for this report and their findings were deeply troubling: The majority of states earned Ds or Fs for their standards in this crucial subject, with only six jurisdictions receiving As. Explore all the state report cards and see how your state performed
Phase Competition in Ln0.5a0.5mno3 Perovskites
Single crystals of the systems Pr0.5(Ca1-xSrx)0.5MnO3,
(Pr1-yYy)0.5(Ca1-xSrx)0.5MnO3, and Sm0.5Sr0.5MnO3 were grown to provide a
series of samples with fixed ratio Mn(III)/Mn(IV)=1 having geometric tolerance
factors that span the transition from localized to itinerant electronic
behavior of the MnO3 array. A unique ferromagnetic phase appears at the
critical tolerance factor tc= 0.975 that separates charge ordering and
localized-electron behavior for t<tc from itinerant or molecular-orbital
behavior for t>tc. This ferromagnetic phase, which has to be distinguished from
the ferromagnetic metallic phase stabilized at tolerance factors t>tc,
separates two distinguishable Type-CE antiferromagnetic phases that are
metamagnetic. Measurements of the transport properties under hydrostatic
pressure were carried out on a compositions t a little below tc in order to
compare the effects of chemical vs. hydrostatic pressure on the phases that
compete with one another near t=tc.Comment: 10 pages. To be publised in Phys. Rev.
Phase formation, phonon behavior, and magnetic properties of novel ferromagnetic La3BAlMnO9 (B = Co or Ni) triple perovskites
In the quest for novel magnetoelectric materials, we have grown, stabilized
and explored the properties of La3BAlMnO9 (B = Co or Mn) thin films. In this
paper, we report the influence of the growth parameters that promote B/Al/Mn
ordering in the pseudo-cubic unit cell and their likely influence on the
magnetic and multiferroic properties. The temperature dependence of the
magnetization shows that La3CoAlMnO9 is ferromagnetic up to 190 K while
La3NiAlMnO9 shows a TC of 130 K. The behavior of these films are compared and
contrasted with related La2BMnO6 double perovskites. It is observed that the
insertion of AlO6 octahedra between CoO6 and MnO6 suppresses significantly the
strength of the superexchange interaction, spin-phonon and spin-polar coupling.Comment: 13 pages, 3 fig
The structure and petrology of the Cnoc nan Cuilean Intrusion, Loch Loyal Syenite Complex, NW Scotland
In NW Scotland, several alkaline intrusive complexes of Silurian age intrude the Caledonian orogenic front. The most northerly is the Loch Loyal Syenite Complex, which is divided into three separate intrusions (Ben Loyal, Beinn Stumanadh and Cnoc nan Cuilean). Mapping of the Cnoc nan Cuilean intrusion shows two main zones: a Mixed Syenite Zone (MZ) and a Massive Leucosyenite Zone (LZ), with a gradational contact. The MZ forms a lopolith, with multiple syenitic lithologies, including early basic melasyenites and later felsic leucosyenites. Leucosyenite melts mixed and mingled with melasyenites, resulting in extreme heterogeneity within the MZ. Continued felsic magmatism resulted in formation of the relatively homogeneous LZ, invading western parts of the MZ and now forming the topographically highest terrane. The identification of pegmatites, microgranitic veins and unusual biotite-magnetite veins demonstrates the intrusion's complex petrogenesis. Cross-sections have been used to create a novel 3D GoCad™ model contributing to our understanding of the intrusion. The Loch Loyal Syenite Complex is known to have relatively high concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), and thus the area has potential economic and strategic value. At Cnoc nan Cuilean, abundant REE-bearing allanite is present within melasyenites of the MZ. Extensive hydrothermal alteration of melasyenites here formed steeply dipping biotite-magnetite veins, most enriched in allanite and other REE-bearing accessories. This study has thus identified the area of greatest importance for further study of REE enrichment processes in the Cnoc nan Cuilean intrusion
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