377 research outputs found
Effects of Ionospheric Asymmetry on Electron Density Standard Inversion Algorithm Applicable to Radio Occultation (RO) Data Using Best-suited Ionospheric Model
The "Onion-peeling" algorithm is a very common technique used to invert Radio Occultation (RO) data in the ionosphere. Because of the implicit assumption of spherical symmetry for the electron density (Ne) distribution in the ionosphere, the standard Onion-peeling algorithm could give erroneous concentration values in the retrieved electron density vertical profile Ne(h). In particular, this happens when strong horizontal ionospheric electron density gradients are present, like for example in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region during high solar activity periods. Using simulated RO Total Electron Content (TEC) data computed by means of the best-suited ionospheric model and ideal RO geometries, we evaluated the asymmetry level index for quasi-horizontal TEC observations. This asymmetry index is based on the Ne variations that a signal may experience along its ray-path (satellite to satellite link) during a RO event. The index is strictly dependent on RO geometry and azimuth of the occultation plane and is able to provide us indication of the errors (in particular those concerning the peak electron density NmF2 and the vertical TEC) expected in the retrieval of Ne(h) using standard Onion-peeling algorithm. On the basis of the outcomes of our work, and using best-suited ionospheric model, we will try to investigate the possibility to predict the ionospheric asymmetry expected for the particular RO geometry considered. We could also try to evaluate, in advance, its impact on the inverted electron density profile, providing an indication of the product qualit
On the equivalence between hierarchical segmentations and ultrametric watersheds
We study hierarchical segmentation in the framework of edge-weighted graphs.
We define ultrametric watersheds as topological watersheds null on the minima.
We prove that there exists a bijection between the set of ultrametric
watersheds and the set of hierarchical segmentations. We end this paper by
showing how to use the proposed framework in practice in the example of
constrained connectivity; in particular it allows to compute such a hierarchy
following a classical watershed-based morphological scheme, which provides an
efficient algorithm to compute the whole hierarchy.Comment: 19 pages, double-colum
On making nD images well-composed by a self-dual local interpolation
International audienceNatural and synthetic discrete images are generally not well-composed, leading to many topological issues: connectivities in binary images are not equivalent, the Jordan Separation theorem is not true anymore, and so on. Conversely, making images well-composed solves those problems and then gives access to many powerful tools already known in mathematical morphology as the Tree of Shapes which is of our principal interest. In this paper, we present two main results: a characterization of 3D well-composed gray-valued images; and a counter-example showing that no local self-dual interpolation satisfying a classical set of properties makes well-composed images with one subdivision in 3D, as soon as we choose the mean operator to interpolate in 1D. Then, we briefly discuss various constraints that could be interesting to change to make the problem solvable in nD
The isolation, analytical characterization by HPLC-UV and NMR spectroscopy, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of baeomycesic acid from Thamnolia vermicularis var. subuliformis
The aim of this work was the analytical characterization of the ÎČ-orcinol depside, baeomycesic acid in lichens extracts. The extract of Thamnolia vermicularis var. subuliformis was analyzed by the two different methods, namely HPLC-UV and 1H NMR analysis. The results showed that baeomycesic acid was the most abundant depside in the lichens. These results could be of use for rapid identification of this metabolite in other lichen species. Besides baeomycesic acid, three depsides and one monocyclic phenolic compound were isolated from the lichen extract on the chromatographic column. The structure of baeomycesic acid was confirmed by HPLC-UV and spectroscopic methods. In addition, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of baeomycesic acid were determined. The result of the testing showed that baeomycesic acid exhibited a moderate radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 602.10 ± 0.54 ÎŒg/mL) and good cytotoxic activity. This is the first report of detailed analytical characterization, isolation, as well as antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of baeomycesic acid from Thamnolia vermicularis. These results may be helpful in future industrial production of herbal medicines that include this important natural product
On morphological hierarchical representations for image processing and spatial data clustering
Hierarchical data representations in the context of classi cation and data
clustering were put forward during the fties. Recently, hierarchical image
representations have gained renewed interest for segmentation purposes. In this
paper, we briefly survey fundamental results on hierarchical clustering and
then detail recent paradigms developed for the hierarchical representation of
images in the framework of mathematical morphology: constrained connectivity
and ultrametric watersheds. Constrained connectivity can be viewed as a way to
constrain an initial hierarchy in such a way that a set of desired constraints
are satis ed. The framework of ultrametric watersheds provides a generic scheme
for computing any hierarchical connected clustering, in particular when such a
hierarchy is constrained. The suitability of this framework for solving
practical problems is illustrated with applications in remote sensing
Freeze-out configuration properties in the 197Au + 197Au reaction at 23 AMeV
Data from the experiment on the 197Au + 197Au reaction at 23 AMeV are
analyzed with an aim to find signatures of exotic nuclear configurations such
as toroid-shaped objects. The experimental data are compared with predictions
of the ETNA code dedicated to look for such configurations and with the QMD
model. A novel criterion of selecting events possibly resulting from the
formation of exotic freeze-out configurations, "the efficiency factor", is
tested. Comparison between experimental data and model predictions may indicate
for the formation of flat/toroidal nuclear systems
Socio-Economic Status and Pregnancy Outcome: An Australian Study
A prospective cohort of 8556 pregnant women attending the Mater Misericordiae Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane was examined to consider the impact of socio-economic status on pregnancy outcome. The indicators of socio-economic status selected were family income, maternal education and paternal occupational status. Pregnancy outcomes considered were preterm delivery, low birthweight, low birthweight for gestational age, and perinatal death. Subsidiary analyses were also undertaken for Apgar scores, time to establish respiration, need for mechanical respiration and admission to intensive care. Before adjustment, the main consistent association was between the occupational status of the father and three measures of perinatal morbidity. Initial adjustment for the mother's socio-demographic background and weight/height ratio reduced the strength and statistical significance of the above associations, while further adjustment for lifestyle variations between the three status groups further reduced the above associations to marginal statistical significance. The findings suggest that observed class differences in pregnancy outcome are attributable to the mother's personal characteristics (height/weight, parity) and her lifestyle
Scattering theory for Klein-Gordon equations with non-positive energy
We study the scattering theory for charged Klein-Gordon equations:
\{{array}{l} (\p_{t}- \i v(x))^{2}\phi(t,x) \epsilon^{2}(x,
D_{x})\phi(t,x)=0,[2mm] \phi(0, x)= f_{0}, [2mm] \i^{-1} \p_{t}\phi(0, x)=
f_{1}, {array}. where: \epsilon^{2}(x, D_{x})= \sum_{1\leq j, k\leq
n}(\p_{x_{j}} \i b_{j}(x))A^{jk}(x)(\p_{x_{k}} \i b_{k}(x))+ m^{2}(x),
describing a Klein-Gordon field minimally coupled to an external
electromagnetic field described by the electric potential and magnetic
potential . The flow of the Klein-Gordon equation preserves the
energy: h[f, f]:= \int_{\rr^{n}}\bar{f}_{1}(x) f_{1}(x)+
\bar{f}_{0}(x)\epsilon^{2}(x, D_{x})f_{0}(x) - \bar{f}_{0}(x) v^{2}(x) f_{0}(x)
\d x. We consider the situation when the energy is not positive. In this
case the flow cannot be written as a unitary group on a Hilbert space, and the
Klein-Gordon equation may have complex eigenfrequencies. Using the theory of
definitizable operators on Krein spaces and time-dependent methods, we prove
the existence and completeness of wave operators, both in the short- and
long-range cases. The range of the wave operators are characterized in terms of
the spectral theory of the generator, as in the usual Hilbert space case
Parental supply of alcohol and alcohol consumption in adolescence: prospective cohort study
Background: Parents are a major supplier of alcohol to adolescents, yet there is limited research examining the impact of this on adolescent alcohol use. This study investigates associations between parental supply of alcohol, supply from other sources, and adolescent drinking, adjusting for child, parent, family and peer variables. Method: A cohort of 1927 adolescents was surveyed annually from 2010 to 2014. Measures include: consumption of whole drinks; binge drinking (>4 standard drinks on any occasion); parental supply of alcohol; supply from other sources; child, parent, family and peer covariates. Results: After adjustment, adolescents supplied alcohol by parents had higher odds of drinking whole beverages [odds ratio (OR) 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33â2.45] than those not supplied by parents. However, parental supply was not associated with bingeing, and those supplied alcohol by parents typically consumed fewer drinks per occasion (incidence rate ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.77â0.96) than adolescents supplied only from other sources. Adolescents obtaining alcohol from non-parental sources had increased odds of drinking whole beverages (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.86â3.45) and bingeing (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.53â4.87). Conclusions: Parental supply of alcohol to adolescents was associated with increased risk of drinking, but not bingeing. These parentally-supplied children also consumed fewer drinks on a typical drinking occasion. Adolescents supplied alcohol from non-parental sources had greater odds of drinking and bingeing. Further follow-up is necessary to determine whether these patterns continue, and to examine alcohol-related harm trajectories. Parents should be advised that supply of alcohol may increase children's drinking
Low-temperature thermochronology of the Indus Basin in central Ladakh, northwest India: implications of MioceneâPliocene cooling in the India-Asia collision zone
The IndiaâAsia collision zone in Ladakh, northwest India, records a sequence of tectonoâthermal events in the interior of the Himalayan orogen following the intercontinental collision between India and Asia in early Cenozoic time. We present zircon fissionâtrack, and zircon and apatite (UâTh)/He thermochronometric data from the Indus Basin sedimentary rocks that are exposed along the strike of the collision zone in central Ladakh. These data reveal a postâdepositional MioceneâPliocene (~22â4 Ma) cooling signal along the IndiaâAsia collision zone in northwest India. Our ZFT cooling ages indicate that maximum basin temperatures exceeded 200 °C but stayed below 280â300 °C in the stratigraphically deeper marine and continental strata. Thermal modeling of zircon and apatite (UâTh)/He cooling ages suggests postâdepositional basin cooling initiated in Early Miocene time by ~22â20 Ma, occurred throughout the basin across zircon (UâTh)/He partial retention temperatures from ~20â10 Ma, and continued in the Pliocene time until at least ~4 Ma. We attribute the burial of the Indus Basin to sedimentation and movement along the regional Great Counter thrust. The ensuing MioceneâPliocene cooling resulted from erosion by the Indus River that transects the basin. An approximately coeval cooling signal is well documented east of the study area, along the collision zone in south Tibet. Our new data provide a regional framework upon which future studies can explore the possible interrelationships between tectonic, geodynamic and geomorphologic factors contributing to MioceneâPliocene cooling along the IndiaâAsia collision zone from NW India to south Tibet
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