The Sub-Surface Structure of a Large Sample of Active Regions

We employ ring-diagram analysis to study the sub-surface thermal structure of active regions. We present results using a large number of active regions over the course of Solar Cycle 23. We present both traditional inversions of ring-diagram frequency differences, with a total sample size of 264, and a statistical study using Principal Component Analysis. We confirm earlier results on smaller samples that sound speed and adiabatic index are changed below regions of strong magnetic field. We find that sound speed is decreased in the region between approximately r=0.99R_sun and r=0.995R_sun (depths of 3Mm to 7Mm), and increased in the region between r=0.97R_sun and r=0.985R_sun (depths of 11Mm to 21Mm). The adiabatic index is enhanced in the same deeper layers that sound-speed enhancement is seen. A weak decrease in adiabatic index is seen in the shallower layers in many active regions. We find that the magnitudes of these perturbations depend on the strength of the surface magnetic field, but we find a great deal of scatter in this relation, implying other factors may be relevant.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Solar Physic

Coccinellídeos associados ao olival da Beira Interior

Com o objectivo de obter informação sobre as espécies de coccinelídeos associadas ao olival da Beira Interior, em 2003 e 2004 efectuaram-se amostragens em dois olivais considerados 401 representativos das condições da região. As amostragens decorreram entre Maio e Outubro de cada um dos anos, a uma periodicidade aproximadamente quinzenal, tendo consistido no batimento de dois ramos por árvore em cada uma de 25 árvores seleccionadas ao acaso por olival e data. A quase totalidade das capturas (96,3% em 2003 e 93,2% em 2004), obteve-se entre o início de Julho e o início de Outubro, quando se interromperam as amostragens. Os exemplares capturados identificaram-se como pertencendo a I 5 espécies, isto é: Chilocorus bipustulotus L, Exochomus nigromoculotus (Gze.), Exochomus quodripustulotus L, Plotynaspis luteorubro Gze., Stethorus punctillum Ws.), Scymnus (Scymnus) abietis (Paykull.), Scymnus (Scymnus) apetzi Muls., Scymnus (Scymnus) interruptus Gze., Scymnus (Pu/Jus) mediterraneus Khnz., Scymnus (Pullus) subvillosus Gze., Nephus (Bipunaotus) bisignotus Boheman, Coccinello septempunaoto (L.), Propyloea quotuordecimpuntocto (L), Rhyzabius laphontae (Biaisd.) e Rhyzobius litura Fabr. A espécie capturada em maior número, em qualquer dos olivais e anos de estudo, foi S. interruptus, que representou 61,3% do total de exemplares obtidos

Stellar Inversion Techniques

Stellar seismic inversions have proved to be a powerful technique for probing the internal structure of stars, and paving the way for a better understanding of the underlying physics by revealing some of the shortcomings in current stellar models. In this lecture, we provide an introduction to this topic by explaining kernel-based inversion techniques. Specifically, we explain how various kernels are obtained from the pulsation equations, and describe inversion techniques such as the Regularised Least-Squares (RLS) and Optimally Localised Averages (OLA) methods.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures. Lecture presented at the IVth Azores International Advanced School in Space Sciences on "Asteroseismology and Exoplanets: Listening to the Stars and Searching for New Worlds" (arXiv:1709.00645), which took place in Horta, Azores Islands, Portugal in July 201

Computer-assisted timber identification based on features extracted from microscopic wood sections

Wood anatomy is one of the most important methods for timber identification. However, training wood anatomy experts is time-consuming, while at the same time the number of senior wood anatomists with broad taxonomic expertise is de- clining. Therefore, we want to explore how a more automated, computer-assisted approach can support accurate wood identification based on microscopic wood anatomy. For our exploratory research, we used an available image dataset that has been applied in several computer vision studies, consisting of 112 — mainly neotropical — tree species representing 20 images of transverse sections for each species. Our study aims to review existing computer vision methods and compare the success of species identification based on (1) several image classifiers based on manually adjusted texture features, and (2) a state-of-the-art approach for image classification based on deep learning, more specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). In support of previous studies, a considerable increase of the correct identification is accomplished using deep learning, leading to an accuracy rate up to 95.6%. This remarkably high success rate highlights the fundamental potential of wood anatomy in species identification and motivates us to expand the existing database to an extensive, worldwide reference database with transverse and tangential microscopic images from the most traded timber species and their look-a-likes. This global reference database could serve as a valuable future tool for stakeholders involved in combatting illegal logging and would boost the societal value of wood anatomy along with its collections and experts.Plant sciencesNaturali

Policy Brief: UNSCR 1325: The Challenges of Framing Women’s Rights as a Security Matter

While UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 has certainly increased awareness among international actors about women’s and gender issues in armed conflict, opened new spaces for dialogue and partnerships from global to local levels, and even created opportunities for new resources for women’s rights, successes remain limited and notably inconsistent. To understand some of these shortcomings and think creatively about how to move the women, peace and security agenda forward, it is essential to understand the conceptual assumptions underscoring UNSCR 1325

Diet of two syntopic species of Crenuchidae (Ostariophysi: Characiformes) in an Amazonian rocky stream

Abstract This study assessed the diet of two poorly known syntopic fish species of the family Crenuchidae, Characidium aff. declivirostre and Leptocharacidium omospilus, in a Presidente Figueiredo´ rocky stream, Amazonas, Brazil. The stomach contents were analyzed and their Frequency of Occurrence (FO %) and Relative Volume (Vol %) were combined in a Feeding Index (IAi). We examined 20 individuals of C. aff. declivirostre and 23 of L. omospilus. The Morisita-Horn Index was used to estimate the overlap between the diets of these species. Immature insects were the most valuable items consumed by both fish species. The diet of C. aff. declivirostre was mainly composed of larvae and pupae of Chironomidae, while L. omospilus predominantly consumed larvae of Hydroptilidae, Hydropyschidae and Pyralidae. Thus, both species were classified as autochthonous insectivorous. Characidium aff. declivirostre was considered a more specialized species, probably reflecting lower feeding plasticity or the use of more restricted microhabitats compared to L. omospilus. When the food items were analyzed at the family taxonomic level, the diet overlap between these species was considered moderate (Morisita-Horn Index = 0.4). However, a more thorough analysis, at the genus level, indicates a very low diet overlap. Therefore, we conclude that the feeding segregation between C. aff. declivirostre and L. omospilus may favor their co-existence, despite their high phylogenetic closeness