Escape from Cells: Deep Kd-Networks for the Recognition of 3D Point Cloud Models

We present a new deep learning architecture (called Kd-network) that is designed for 3D model recognition tasks and works with unstructured point clouds. The new architecture performs multiplicative transformations and share parameters of these transformations according to the subdivisions of the point clouds imposed onto them by Kd-trees. Unlike the currently dominant convolutional architectures that usually require rasterization on uniform two-dimensional or three-dimensional grids, Kd-networks do not rely on such grids in any way and therefore avoid poor scaling behaviour. In a series of experiments with popular shape recognition benchmarks, Kd-networks demonstrate competitive performance in a number of shape recognition tasks such as shape classification, shape retrieval and shape part segmentation.Comment: Spotlight at ICCV'1

Changes in reindeer population numbers in Russia: an effect of the political context or of climate?

This paper analyses trends in domesticated reindeer numbers at the federal, regional, and local levels based on official statistics and interviews with herders in different northern districts across Russia. During the second half of the last century, the domesticated reindeer population in Russia shifted dramatically from a maximum of 2.5 million head to a minimum of 1.2. The most important trends were connected to changes in social and economic conditions linked to government directives. Post-Soviet reforms in the 1990s resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in the total number of domesticated reindeer. However in some regions, these political events had the opposite effect. The contrast was due to the abilities of herders to adapt to the new conditions. A detailed analysis of these adaptations reveals an important difference between reindeer-holding enterprises with common ownership (i.e. kolkhozes, sovkhozes, municipal enterprises, etc.) and households with family owned reindeer. The paper concludes that the effect the political context is so large as to conceal the impact of other natural factors on reindeer populations such as climate change. However, a gradual increase of reindeer populations in the north-eastern part of Russia in the 1960s can be associated with changes in atmospheric circulation patterns

Practical Aspects of Establishing Snow and Ice Runways at JARE Stations: In the Context of the East Antarctic Air Network

"A feasibility study has been undertaken to improve air support for the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) by establishing hard-surface runways near TARE stations and introducing an intercontinental air operation. Historical meteorological observations for JARE stations have been reviewed. Two major parameters, prevailing wind direction and maximum temperature, have been examined because they have a dominant influence on snow-ice runway construction. The glaciological conditions near Syowa Station, Asuka Station and in Yamato Mountains were considered to identify the favorable sites for hard-surface runway construction. The analysis shows that the Syowa area is suitable for construction and operation of runways on both compacted snow and blue ice. Construction techniques and logistic facilities for snow-ice runway construction are briefly outlined. The general characteristics of aircraft that are of practical interest in Antarctica are summarized.

Diffraction imaging of lithology in fault zones and hydrocarbon sweet spots within the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale, Maverick Basin, South Texas

Bureau of Economic Geolog

Diffraction imaging of lithology and fluid saturation in fault zones within the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale, Maverick Basin, South Texas

Bureau of Economic Geolog

Assessment of Climatic Conditions for Siberian Reindeer Herding on the Basis of Heat Balance Modelling

The purpose of the research is to assess suitable climatic conditions for traditional herding of reindeer by Indigenous people in different areas of Siberia. A сomputer simulation model allowed us to calculate reindeer’s heat balance according to a number of meteorological indices; it was used to assess climatic conditions in 70 localities. To show the impact of climatic conditions on reindeer’s well-being, we introduce the notion of the thermal comfort index (Kt). The best environmental conditions for reindeer are in the areas where Kt takes the highest values in winter and the lowest ones in summer. We showed the results of the reindeer heat balance computer simulation on two maps visualising the average Kt values in summer and in winter. Finally, using official statistics, we calculated the number of reindeer per 100 km2 in areas with different types of traditional reindeer herding. The territories with the largest domesticated reindeer populations per 100 km2 in the two major tundra reindeer breeding areas (Samoed and Chukchi-Koriak types of reindeer herding) are located in the regions with the relatively low value of Kt in summer and high in winter. In the taiga, Kt is relatively high in summer, and reindeer herding (Tungus and Saian types) is developed mostly in highlands, where the summer Kt is lower than in flatlands because of the vertical temperature gradient. The results obtained prove that thermal conditions are extremely important for traditional reindeer herding.L’objectif de cette recherche consiste à évaluer les conditions climatiques convenables à l’élevage traditionnel des rennes par les peuples indigènes de différentes régions de la Sibérie. Au moyen d’un modèle de simulation informatisé, nous avons calculé le bilan thermique des rennes en fonction de plusieurs indices météorologiques. Nous avons évalué les conditions climatiques de 70 localités. Pour illustrer les incidences des conditions climatiques sur le bien-être des rennes, nous avons introduit la notion de l’indice du confort thermique (Kt). Pour le renne, les meilleures conditions environnementales sont celles pour lesquelles Kt a les plus grandes valeurs en hiver, et les moins grandes valeurs en été. Nous avons illustré les résultats de la simulation informatisée du bilan thermique du renne sur deux cartes permettant de visualiser les valeurs Kt moyennes de l’été et de l’hiver. Pour terminer, à l’aide de statistiques officielles, nous avons calculé le nombre de rennes par 100 km2 dans des zones ayant différents types d’élevage traditionnel de rennes. Les territoires comptant les plus grandes populations de rennes domestiqués par tranche de 100 km2 dans les deux grands secteurs de reproduction de la toundra (les types d’élevage Samoed et Chukchi-Koriak) se situent dans les régions où la valeur Kt est relativement basse l’été et élevée en hiver. Dans la taïga, le Kt est relativement élevé pendant l’été, et l’élevage des rennes (de types Tungus et Saian) est surtout développé dans les hautes terres, où la valeur Kt d’été est moins élevée que dans les plaines en raison du gradient thermique vertical. Les résultats obtenus prouvent que les conditions thermiques jouent un très grand rôle dans l’élevage traditionnel des rennes.Цель исследования состоит в оценке климатических условий для традиционного оленеводства коренных народов в разных областях Сибири. Использование имитационной компьютерной модели позволило по ряду метеорологических показателей рассчитать значения теплового баланса северного оленя для 70 географических пунктов. Чтобы отразить влияние климатических условий на организм оленя, мы ввели понятие коэффициент теплового комфорта (Kt). Самые благоприятные для северного оленя условия там, где Kt принимает наиболее высокие значения зимой и самые низкие значения летом. Мы отразили результаты компьютерного моделирования теплового баланса оленя на двух картах, отражающих средние значения Kt в летний и зимний периоды. Для интерпретации результатов мы рассчитали количество оленей на 100 км2 в ареалах с различными типами традиционного оленеводства, использовав данные официальной статистики. Оказалось, что в двух крупнейших областях тундрового оленеводства (самоедский и чукотско-корякский типы оленеводства) территории, с наибольшим числом домашних оленей на 100 км2, расположены в районах с относительно низкими значениями Kt летом и высокими зимой. В тайге (в ареалах тунгусского и саянского типов оленеводства) значения Kt летом сравнительно велики. Оленеводство здесь развивается в основном в районах, где есть высокие горы и из-за вертикального градиента температуры значения Kt летом понижены. Полученные результаты подтверждают значимость температурных условий для традиционного оленеводства

Sub-exponential mixing rate for a class of Markov chains

We establish sub-exponential bounds for the β-mixing rate and for the rate of convergence to invariant measures for discrete time Markov processes under recurrence type conditions weaker than used for exponential inequalities and stronger than for polynomial ones

Jitter in Geolocation Data Processing

Technology of increasing resolution of an “OKO-2” industrial ground penetrating radar with jitter application is considered on an example of geolocation of tunnels of underground animals. In the present work we suggest to use the alternative approach based on separation of jitter. To separate jitter, the domain of Fourier frequencies and the window functions that separate high-frequency signal components are used. When the jitter was separated, focusing is performed

Study of the 10 micron continuum of water vapor

Radiation attenuation by atmospheric water vapor is considered. A formula based on laboratory data is recommended for approximating continuous absorption in the spectra region in question. Data of full scale measurements and laboratory experiments are compared. It was concluded that only molecular absorption need be taken into account under clear atmospheric conditions during the warm part of the year, while in winter or in cloudy conditions, the effect of aerosol can be significant

Models of forest machines based on reliability

A new model of forestry systems taking into account technical and technological failures at various stages of work is proposed, the formulas to determine the effectiveness of systems according to the criteria determining the probabilities of states with rational parameters of operation (flow rate of raw materials, their processing and repair of equipment) are offered