The effect of finite field size on classification and atmospheric correction

The atmospheric effect on the upward radiance of sunlight scattered from the Earth-atmosphere system is strongly influenced by the contrasts between fields and their sizes. For a given atmospheric turbidity, the atmospheric effect on classification of surface features is much stronger for nonuniform surfaces than for uniform surfaces. Therefore, the classification accuracy of agricultural fields and urban areas is dependent not only on the optical characteristics of the atmosphere, but also on the size of the surface do not account for the nonuniformity of the surface have only a slight effect on the classification accuracy; in other cases the classification accuracy descreases. The radiances above finite fields were computed to simulate radiances measured by a satellite. A simulation case including 11 agricultural fields and four natural fields (water, soil, savanah, and forest) was used to test the effect of the size of the background reflectance and the optical thickness of the atmosphere on classification accuracy. It is concluded that new atmospheric correction methods, which take into account the finite size of the fields, have to be developed to improve significantly the classification accuracy

Maxometers (peak wind speed anemometers)

An instrument for measuring peak wind speeds under severe environmental conditions is described, comprising an elongated cylinder housed in an outer casing. The cylinder contains a piston attached to a longitudinally movable guided rod having a pressure disk mounted on one projecting end. Wind pressure against the pressure disk depresses the movable rod. When the wind reaches its maximum speed, the rod is locked by a ball clutch mechanism in the position of maximum inward movement. Thereafter maximum wind speed or pressure readings may be taken from calibrated indexing means

Post-modernism's use and abuse of Nietzsche

I focus on Nietzsche's architectural metaphor of self-construction in arguing for the claim that postmodern readings of Nietzsche misunderstand his various attacks on dogmatic philosophy as paving the way for acceptance of a self characterized by fundamental disunity. Nietzsche's attack on essentialist dogmatic metaphysics is a call to engage in a purposive self-creation under a unifying will, a will that possesses the strength to reinterpret history as a pathway to "the problem that we are". Nietzsche agrees with the postmodernists that unity is not a pre-given, however he would disavow their rejection of unity as a goal. Where the postmodernists celebrate "the death of the subject" Nietzsche rejects this valorization of disunity as a form of Nihilism and prescribes the creation of a genuine unified subjectivity to those few capable of such a goal. Postmodernists are nearer Nietzsche's idea of the Last Man than his idea of the Overman.Articl

Fundamental ignition study for material fire safety improvement, part 2

The autoignition behavior of polymeric compositions in oxidizing media was investigated as well as the nature and relative concentration of the volatiles produced during oxidative decomposition culminating in combustion. The materials investigated were Teflon, Fluorel KF-2140 raw gum and its compounded versions Refset and Ladicote, 45B3 intumenscent paint, and Ames isocyanurate foam. The majority of the tests were conducted using a stagnation burner arrangement which provided a laminar gas flow and allowed the sample block and gas temperatures to be varied independently. The oxidizing atmospheres were essentially air and oxygen, although in the case of the Fluorel family of materials, due to partial blockage of the gas inlet system, some tests were performed unintentionally in enriched air (not oxygen). The 45B3 paint was not amenable to sampling in a dynamic system, due to its highly intumescent nature. Consequently, selected experiments were conducted using a sealed tube technique both in air and oxygen media

Evaluation of structural analysis methods for life prediction

The utility of advanced constitutive models and structural analysis methods are evaluated for predicting the cyclic life of an air-cooled turbine blade for a gas turbine aircraft engine. Structural analysis methods of various levels of sophistication were exercised to obtain the cyclic stress-strain response at the critical airfoil location. Calculated strain ranges and mean stresses from the stress-strain cycles were used to predict crack initiation lives by using the total strain version of the strain range partitioning life prediction method. The major results are given and discussed

Cross Linking and Degradation Mechanisms in Model Sealant Candidates

Model compounds were investigated as to which type of heterocyclic ring is the most advantageous for curing sealants based on perfluoroalkylether chains. The relative thermal, thermal oxidative, hydrolytic, and fuel stability of potential crosslinks were determined. Specifically substituted materials were synthesized and evaluation of their stabilities in air, inert atmosphere, water, and Jet-A fuel at 235 and 325 C was made. Three heterocyclic ring systems were considered, namely, triazine, 1,2,4- and 1,3,4-oxadiazoles