2,015 research outputs found
Identification of Bare-Airframe Dynamics from Closed-Loop Data Using Multisine Inputs and Frequency Responses
Amethod is presented for computing multiple-input multiple-output frequency responses of bare-airframe dynamics for systems excited using orthogonal phase-optimized multisines and including correlated data arising from control mixing or feedback control. The estimation was posed as the solution to an underdetermined system of linear equations, for which additional information was supplied using interpolation of the frequency responses. A simulation model of the NASA T-2 aircraft having two inputs and two outputs was used to investigate the method in the open-loop configuration and under closed-loop control. The method was also applied to flight test data from the X-56A aeroelastic demonstrator having five inputs and ten outputs and flying under closed-loop control with additional control allocation mixing. Results demonstrated that the proposed method accurately estimates the bare airframe frequency responses in the presence of correlated data from control mixing and feedback control. Results also agreed with estimates obtained using different methods that are less sensitive to correlated inputs
A review of the advantages and limitations of geophysical investigations in landslide studies
Landslide deformations involve approximately all geological materials (natural rocks, soil, artificial fill, or combinations of these materials) and can occur and develop in a large variety of volumes and shapes. The characterization of the material inhomogeneities and their properties, the study of the deformation processes, and the delimitation of boundaries and potential slip surfaces are not simple goals. Since the â70s, the international community (mainly geophysicists and lower geologists and geological engineers) has begun to employ, together with other techniques, geophysical methods to characterize and monitor landslides. Both the associated advantages and limitations have been highlighted over the years, and some drawbacks are still open. This review is focused on works of the last twelve years (2007-2018), and the main goal is to analyse the geophysical community efforts toward overcoming the geophysical technique limitations highlighted in the 2007 geophysics and landslide review. To achieve this aim, contrary to previous reviews that analysed the advantages and limitations of each technique using a âtechnique approach,â the analysis was carried out using a âmaterial landslide approachâ on the basis of the more recent landslides classification
Analysis of LiDAR derived DEM geomorphometric parameters to assess the kinematic behaviour of a DSGSD
Kinematic reconstruction of a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation by geomorphic analyses
On 4 November 2010, a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (North Italy) reactivated with sudden ground movement. A 450,000 m2 mountainous area moved some metres downslope, but the undeniable signs were only connected to the triggering of a debris flow from the bulging areaâs detrital cover and the presence of a continuous perimeter fracture near the crown area. Based on two detailed LiDAR surveys (2 m Ă 2 m) performed just a few days before and after the event, a quantitative topographic analysis was performed in a GIS environment, integrating morphometric terrain parameters (slope, aspect, surface roughness, hill shade, and curvature). The DEMs analysis highlighted some morphological changes related to deeper as well as shallow movements. Both global and sectorial displacements were widely verified and discussed, finally inferring that the geometry, persistence, and layout of all movements properly justify each current morphostructure, which has the shape of a typical Sackung-type structure with impulsive kinematics. Moreover, a targeted field survey allowed specific clues to be found that confirmed the global deduced dynamics of the slope deformation. Finally, thanks to a ground-based interferometric radar system (GB-InSAR) that was installed a few days after the reactivation, the residual deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) movements were also monitored. In the landslide lower bulging area, a localized material progression of small entities was observed for some months after the parossistic event, indicating a slow dissipation of forces in sectors more distant from the crown area
Landslides and geophysical investigations: advantages and limitations
This special issue is dedicated to the geophysical methods applied to investigate, characterize, and monitor landslides. Over the years, both the advantages and limitations of these techniques have been highlighted, and some drawbacks are still open. Some papers were submitted to this special issue, and, after a thorough peer review process, only five articles were selected to be included in this special issue. This relatively small number is probably caused by the difficulty in applying geophysical techniques on slope movements given hard-operating conditions (e.g., high slopes, distance from access roads, and lack of security for the technical operator) and not because the methods limitations are greater than the advantages
Persistent systemic microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage during Clostridioides difficile infection
Background. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) might be complicated by the development of nosocomial bloodstream infection (n-BSI). Based on the hypothesis that alteration of the normal gut integrity is present during CDI, we evaluated markers of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage in patients with CDI. Methods. Patients with documented CDI were enrolled in the study. For each subject, plasma samples were collected at T0 and T1 (before and after CDI therapy, respectively), and the following markers were evaluated: lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LPB), EndoCab IgM, interleukin-6, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). Samples from nonhospitalized healthy controls were also included. The study population was divided into BSI+/BSI- and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) +/FMT- groups, according to the development of n-BSI and the receipt of FMT, respectively. Results. Overall, 45 subjects were included; 8 (17.7%) developed primary n-BSI. Markers of microbial translocation and intestinal damage significantly decreased between T0 and T1, however, without reaching values similar to controls (P < .0001). Compared with BSI-, a persistent high level of microbial translocation in the BSI+ group was observed. In the FMT+ group, markers of microbial translocation and inflammation at T1 tended to reach control values. Conclusions. CDI is associated with high levels of microbial translocation, inflammation, and intestinal damage, which are still present at clinical resolution of CDI. The role of residual mucosal perturbation and persistence of intestinal cell damage in the development of n-BSI following CDI, as well as the possible effect of FMT in the restoration of mucosal integrity, should be further investigated
Higher-Twist Contribution to Pion Structure Function: 4-Fermi Operators
We present quenched lattice QCD results for the contribution of higher-twist
operators to the lowest non-trivial moment of the pion structure function. To
be specific, we consider the combination which has and receives contributions from 4-Fermi
operators only. We introduce the basis of lattice operators. The
renormalization of the operators is done perturbatively in the
scheme using the 't Hooft-Veltman prescription for , taking
particular care of mixing effects. The contribution is found to be of
, relative to the leading contribution to the moment of
.Comment: Version to appear in Nucl. Phys.
BL Lacertae identifications in a ROSAT-selected sample of Fermi unidentified objects
The optical spectroscopic followup of 27 sources belonging to a sample of 30
high-energy objects selected by positionally cross correlating the first
Fermi/LAT Catalog and the ROSAT All-Sky Survey Bright Source Catalog is
presented here. It has been found or confirmed that 25 of them are BL Lacertae
objects (BL Lacs), while the remaining two are Galactic cataclysmic variables
(CVs). This strongly suggests that the sources in the first group are
responsible for the GeV emission detected with Fermi, while the two CVs most
likely represent spurious associations. We thus find an 80% a posteriori
probability that the sources selected by matching GeV and X-ray catalogs belong
to the BL Lac class. We also show suggestions that the BL Lacs selected with
this approach are probably high-synchrotron-peaked sources and in turn good
candidates for the detection of ultra-high-energy (TeV) photons from them.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables, one appendix, accepted for publication
on A&A, main journal. Tables 1-3 and Figures 2-6 will only be published in
the electronic edition of the journa
Higher-twist contributions to the Structure Functions coming from 4-fermion operators
We evaluate the contribution of a class of higher-twist operators to the
lowest moment of the Structure Functions, by computing appropriate matrix
elements of six four-fermion operators in the quenched approximation. Their
perturbative renormalization constants and mixing coefficients are calculated
in the 't Hooft-Veltman scheme of dimensional regularization, using codes
written in the algebraic manipulation computer language FORM.Comment: Talk presented at LATTICE99(matrix elements), Pisa (Italy), June 29 -
July 3; 3 pages; to be published in Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.
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