Inversion Schemes to Retrieve Atmospheric and Oceanic Parameters from SeaWiFS Data

Firstly, we have analyzed atmospheric transmittance and sky radiance data connected at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography pier, La Jolla during the winters of 1993 and 1994. Aerosol optical thickness at 870 nm was generally low in La Jolla, with most values below 0.1 after correction for stratospheric aerosols. For such low optical thickness, variability in aerosol scattering properties cannot be determined, and a mean background model, specified regionally under stable stratospheric component, may be sufficient for ocean color remote sensing, from space. For optical thicknesses above 0. 1, two modes of variability characterized by Angstrom exponents of 1.2 and 0.5 and corresponding, to Tropospheric and Maritime models, respectively, were identified in the measurements. The aerosol models selected for ocean color remote sensing, allowed one to fit, within measurement inaccuracies, the derived values of Angstrom exponent and 'pseudo' phase function (the product of single scattering albedo and phase function), key atmospheric correction parameters. Importantly, the 'pseudo' phase function can be derived from measurements of the Angstrom exponent. Shipborne sun photometer measurements at the time of satellite overpass are usually sufficient to verify atmospheric correction for ocean color

Heat as a proxy to image dynamic processes with 4D electrical resistivity tomography

Since salt cannot always be used as a geophysical tracer (because it may pollute the aquifer with the mass that is necessary to induce a geophysical contrast), and since in many contaminated aquifer salts (e.g., chloride) already constitute the main contaminants, another geophysical tracer is needed to force a contrast in the subsurface that can be detected from surface geophysical measurements. In this context, we used heat as a proxy to image and monitor groundwater flow and solute transport in a shallow alluvial aquifer (< 10 m deep) with the help of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). The goal of our study is to demonstrate the feasibility of such methodology in the context of the validation of the efficiency of a hydraulic barrier that confines a chloride contamination to its source. To do so, we combined a heat tracer push/pull test with time-lapse 3D ERT and classical hydrogeological measurements in wells and piezometers. Our results show that heat can be an excellent salt substitution tracer for geophysical monitoring studies, both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. Our methodology, based on 3D surface ERT, allows to visually prove that a hydraulic barrier works efficiently and could be used as an assessment of such installations

Comments on the "Spatial variability of coastal surface water temperature during upwelling"

International audienceComments on the article "Spatial variability of coastal surface water temperature during upwelling

Satellite determination of the mesoscale variability of the sea surface temperature

International audienceSatellite infrared data have been used to investigate the mesoscale variability of the SST (sea surface temperature) field. A statistical analysis of the SST field has been performed by means of the structure function. Results give the equivalent power-law exponent n of the spatial variance density spectrum E(k) ∼ k−h. The exponent n was found to vary from 1.5 to 2,3 with a mean value of 1.8 in the ]range of scales 3–100 km which is in agreement with previous one-dimensional analysis from shipborne and airborne measurements. These observed values of n are discussed and compared with the values predicted by turbulence theories

Automated Colour Identification and Quantification in Children's Drawings of God

Colour is still a relatively neglected aspect in the study both of religious art and of children’s artistic expression of the divine. Our research addresses this important gap and adds to psychological research on religious representations and conceptualization of the divine. From drawings collected in four different cultural and religious environments: Japanese (Buddhism and Shinto), Russian-Buryat (Buddhism, Shamanism), Russian-Slavic (Christian Orthodoxy) and French-speaking Swiss (Catholic and reformed Christianity) we show that children often imagine and depict god using the same colours: primarily yellow and blue. Apparently, god is often imagined by children as light or in light (yellow) and dwelling in the sky (blue). These results parallel historical and religious studies showing that the light enjoys prominent and most powerful symbolism and association with the divine. Complementary analysis of possible effect of child’s age, gender, and schooling (religious or regular) did not affect the main result. This research also introduced a novel approach to data analysis by using computer vision in psychological studies of children’s drawings. The automated colour identification method was developed to extract colours from scans of drawings. Despite some difficulties, this new methodology opens an interesting avenue for future research in children’s drawings and visual art

Construction and Transgression of Gender Categories in Representations of Divine Figures: A Cross-Cultural Study of Children's Drawings

This research addresses how gods may be gender-typed in children’s drawings. It offers cross-cultural comparisons on four distinct samples of drawings from Japan, Switzerland, Buryatia and Saint Petersburg (Russia). We discuss the challenges that arise when rating gender categories in children’s drawings, espe- cially when drawing on a cross-cultural sample. Then we propose two approaches for the empirical analysis of the data: (1) providing a general description of the utilization of gender categories; (2) considering the data from a qualitative perspec- tive, comparing children’s strategies and cultural references. In the main, while there seems to be cultural differences (as observed between samples), three main sources of normative pressure might exist: androcentrism, same-gender preference, and masculine hegemony. We discuss the observed phenomena in terms of socio- normative influence, cultural and religious references made available, gender traits, and gender transgression

Température et salinité de la surface de la mer dans le Pacifique central sud 0° - 30°S et 170°W - 120°W : cartes bimestrielles (1974-1989)

Les cartes des observations de surface de la mer (température et salinité), collectées dans le cadre du programme TOGA (Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere) par les équipages des navires marchands, des navires océanographiques et ceux de la Marine Nationale Française, sont présentées par bimestre de 1974 à 1989, dans la zone géographique O° - 30°S et 170°W - 120°W. Des températures de surface ont été aussi relevées par des bateaux de pêche japonais et coréens dans la zone économique de la Polynésie Française (5°S - 30°S, 160°W - 130°W) de 1984 à 1989. (Résumé d'auteur

Spiritualité et bien-être chez des personnes âgées : le cas des résidents dans une institution en Suisse

Cet article présente les premiers résultats d’une étude exploratoire sur la spiritualité et le bien-être chez les personnes âgées résident dans un établissement médico-social de Suisse romande. De nombreuses difficultés liées à l’adaptation à un nouveau cadre de vie, la perte d’autonomie et de liberté, l’isolement et la solitude ont été rapportées par les sujets interrogés. Si pour certains résidents la religion ne représente pas d’intérêt, pour beaucoup d’autres la foi religieuse représente une importante source de réconfort et de force pour faire face aux problèmes de la santé et d’autres adversités de la vie. Les mécanismes psychologiques du lien potentiel entre d’une part bien-être et santé et d’autre part spiritualité et foi religieuse sont discutés à l’aide d’une modélisation des systèmes religieux