5,484 research outputs found
Ten year change in forest succession and composition measured by remote sensing
Vegetation dynamics and changes in ecological patterns were measured by remote sensing over a 10 year period (1973 to 1983) for 148,406 landscape elements, covering more than 500 sq km in a protected forested wilderness. Quantitative measurements were made possible by methods to detect ecologically meaningful landscape units; these allowed measurement of ecological transition frequencies and calculation of expected recurrence times. Measured ecological transition frequencies reveal boreal forest wilderness as spatially heterogeneous and highly dynamic, with one-sixth of the area in clearings and early successional stages, consistent with recent postulates about the spatial and temporal patterns of natural ecosystems. Differences between managed forest areas and a protected wilderness allow assessment of different management regimes
Biophysical, morphological, canopy optical property, and productivity data from the Superior National Forest
Described here are the results of a NASA field experiment conducted in the Superior National Forest near Ely, Minnesota, during the summers of 1983 and 1984. The purpose of the experiment was to examine the use of remote sensing to provide measurements of biophysical parameters in the boreal forests. Leaf area index, biomass, net primary productivity, canopy coverage, overstory and understory species composition data are reported for about 60 sites, representing a range of stand density and age for aspen and spruce. Leaf, needle, and bark high-resolution spectral reflectance and transmittance data are reported for the major boreal forest species. Canopy bidirectional reflectance measurements are provided from a helicopter-mounted Barnes Multiband Modular Radiometer (MMR) and the Thematic Mapper Simulator (TMS) on the NASA C-130 aircraft
Solidifying system of democracy in the Central and Eastern European new EU members
The paper examines the requirements of an effective and legitimized democratic political system in the process of transition. The analysis and the conclusions are based on the Hungarian experience, which can carefully be applied to all Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Special focus is given to the relationship of legal certainty and the efficiency of the democratic system, to the tension between legalism and managerialism and to the characteristics of civil society organizations. In the conclusion special features of the transitional countries are pointed out
Improving LIGO calibration accuracy by tracking and compensating for slow temporal variations
Calibration of the second-generation LIGO interferometric gravitational-wave
detectors employs a method that uses injected periodic modulations to track and
compensate for slow temporal variations in the differential length response of
the instruments. These detectors utilize feedback control loops to maintain
resonance conditions by suppressing differential arm length variations. We
describe how the sensing and actuation functions of these servo loops are
parameterized and how the slow variations in these parameters are quantified
using the injected modulations. We report the results of applying this method
to the LIGO detectors and show that it significantly reduces systematic errors
in their calibrated outputs.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures. This is an author-created, un-copyedited version
of an article published in Classical and Quantum Gravity. IOP Publishing Ltd
is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the
manuscript or any version derived from i
Lidar Remote Sensing Variables Predict Breeding Habitat of a Neotropical Migrant Bird
A topic of recurring interest in ecological research is the degree to which vegetation structure influences the distribution and abundance of species. Here we test the applicability of remote sensing, particularly novel use of waveform lidar measurements, for quantifying the habitat heterogeneity of a contiguous northern hardwoods forest in the northeastern United States. We apply these results to predict the breeding habitat quality, an indicator of reproductive output of a well-studied Neotropical migrant songbird, the Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens). We found that using canopy vertical structure metrics provided unique information for models of habitat quality and spatial patterns of prevalence. An ensemble decision tree modeling approach (random forests) consistently identified lidar metrics describing the vertical distribution and complexity of canopy elements as important predictors of habitat use over multiple years. Although other aspects of habitat were important, including the seasonality of vegetation cover, the canopy structure variables provided unique and complementary information that systematically improved model predictions. We conclude that canopy structure metrics derived from waveform lidar, which will be available on future satellite missions, can advance multiple aspects of biodiversity research, and additional studies should be extended to other organisms and regions
Superconductors with Magnetic Impurities: Instantons and Sub-gap States
When subject to a weak magnetic impurity potential, the order parameter and
quasi-particle energy gap of a bulk singlet superconductor are suppressed.
According to the conventional mean-field theory of Abrikosov and Gor'kov, the
integrity of the energy gap is maintained up to a critical concentration of
magnetic impurities. In this paper, a field theoretic approach is developed to
critically analyze the validity of the mean field theory. Using the
supersymmetry technique we find a spatially homogeneous saddle-point that
reproduces the Abrikosov-Gor'kov theory, and identify instanton contributions
to the density of states that render the quasi-particle energy gap soft at any
non-zero magnetic impurity concentration. The sub-gap states are associated
with supersymmetry broken field configurations of the action. An analysis of
fluctuations around these configurations shows how the underlying supersymmetry
of the action is restored by zero modes. An estimate of the density of states
is given for all dimensionalities. To illustrate the universality of the
present scheme we apply the same method to study `gap fluctuations' in a normal
quantum dot coupled to a superconducting terminal. Using the same instanton
approach, we recover the universal result recently proposed by Vavilov et al.
Finally, we emphasize the universality of the present scheme for the
description of gap fluctuations in d-dimensional superconducting/normal
structures.Comment: 18 pages, 9 eps figure
Gravitational waves from Sco X-1: A comparison of search methods and prospects for detection with advanced detectors
The low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius X-1 (Sco X-1) is potentially the most
luminous source of continuous gravitational-wave radiation for interferometers
such as LIGO and Virgo. For low-mass X-ray binaries this radiation would be
sustained by active accretion of matter from its binary companion. With the
Advanced Detector Era fast approaching, work is underway to develop an array of
robust tools for maximizing the science and detection potential of Sco X-1. We
describe the plans and progress of a project designed to compare the numerous
independent search algorithms currently available. We employ a mock-data
challenge in which the search pipelines are tested for their relative
proficiencies in parameter estimation, computational efficiency, robust- ness,
and most importantly, search sensitivity. The mock-data challenge data contains
an ensemble of 50 Scorpius X-1 (Sco X-1) type signals, simulated within a
frequency band of 50-1500 Hz. Simulated detector noise was generated assuming
the expected best strain sensitivity of Advanced LIGO and Advanced VIRGO ( Hz). A distribution of signal amplitudes was then
chosen so as to allow a useful comparison of search methodologies. A factor of
2 in strain separates the quietest detected signal, at
strain, from the torque-balance limit at a spin frequency of 300 Hz, although
this limit could range from (25 Hz) to (750 Hz) depending on the unknown frequency of Sco X-1. With future
improvements to the search algorithms and using advanced detector data, our
expectations for probing below the theoretical torque-balance strain limit are
optimistic.Comment: 33 pages, 11 figure
Field Investigation of County Road Bases and Subgrades
This bulletin focuses on the investigation, sampling, and testing of in-place wearing surface materials, in-place base materials, and in-place subgrade materials in advance of paving. This is especially important the first time the road is to be blacktopped. However, the investigation and testing methods suggested herein are equally applicable to existing blacktop pavements needing reconstruction. The test methods focus on two quick field tests that have been developed through research to measure equivalent CBR values. CBR is a measure of the load-carrying capacity of base or subgrade materials.
The methods and procedures set forth in this bulletin should go far in helping county road officials plan for a better, more efficient use of county highway construction funds
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