The SIMCA algorithm for processing Ground Penetrating Radar data and its use in locating foundations in demolished buildings

Abstract—The main challenge of ground penetrating radar GPR) based foundation detection is to have an accurate image analysis method. In order to solve the detection problem a system level analysis of the issues involved with the recognition of foundations using image reconstruction is required. The SIMCA (’SIMulated Correlation Algorithm’) is a technique based on an area correlation between the trace that would be returned by an ideal point reflector in the soil conditions at the site and the actual trace. During an initialization phase, SIMCA carries out radar simulation using the design parameters of the radar and soil properties. Then SIMCA takes the raw data as the radar is scanned over the ground and in real-time uses a clutter removal technique to remove various clutter such as cross talk, initial ground reflection and antenna ringing. The trace which would be returned by a target under these conditions is then used to form a correlation kernel. The GPR b-scan is then correlated with the kernel using the Pearson correlation coefficient, resulting in a correlated image which is brightest at points most similar to the canonical target. This image is then raised to an odd power >2 to enhance the target/background separation. To validate and compare the algorithm, photographs of the building before it was demolished along with processed data using the REFLEXW package were used. The results produced by the SIMCA algorithm were very promising and were able to locate some features that the REFLEXW package were not able to identify

On one-sided division infinite-dimensional normed real algebras

In this note we introduce the concept of Cayley homomorphism which is closely related with those of composition algebra and normalized orthogonal multiplication. The key result shows the existente of certain types of Cayley homomorphisms for infinite dimension. As an application we prove the existente of left division infinite-dimensional complete normed real algebras with left unity

Perfil agrossocioeconômico dos produtores de coco do Município de Caucaia-CE.

O objetivo deste trabalho é que o levantamento de problemas enfrentados pelos cocoicultores possa fornecer subsídios aos órgãos de pesquisa, de fomento, desenvolvimento e de assistência técnica e informações agrossocioeconômicas dos produtores referentes às características de produção, seu perfil tecnológico, estrutura fundiária, disponibilidade e uso de mão-de-obra, grau de capitalização, disponibilidade e qualidade dos recursos naturais, ocupação do espaço agrícola e limitações geoambientais, encontradas no município de Caucaia-CE, mediante aplicação de questionários junto a uma amostra de 50 cocoicultores.bitstream/item/91677/1/CPATC-DOC.-15-00.pd

Debunking the Myths: International Commercial Arbitration and Section 1782(a)

International commercial arbitration continues to be the preferred dispute resolution mechanism for cross-border commercial disputes. Its popularity resides not only in the allure of efficient and flexible proceedings, but in the prospect of having highly qualified and reputable experts decide cases without the danger of national biases. Despite it being a private method of dispute resolution, international arbitration ultimately relies on an intergovernmental legal framework that allows enforcement of arbitral awards in over 150 countries in the world. Yet, arbitrators are constrained in their search for truth; they lack the coercive power to compel parties and non-parties to produce evidence that may be crucial to the outcome of the proceedings

How efficient is an integrative approach in archaeological geophysics? Comparative case studies from Neolithic settlements in Thessaly (Central Greece)

The geophysical prospection of Neolithic tells imposes specific challenges due to the preservation and nature of the architectural context and the multiple, usually disturbed, soil strata. Contrary to the usual application of a single method, this paper deals with the advantages of using an integrated geophysical approach through the employment of various methodologies to map the Neolithic cul-tural and environmental landscape of Thessalian tells (magoules) in Central Greece. The success and failure of each method in resolving the various features of the magoules are discussed in detail, and as a whole, they demonstrate the benefits of a manifold geophysical prospection of the sites

Martin Heidegger y Ludwig Wittgenstein: Los límites de la filosofía.

Sin resume

Temporal video transcoding from H.264/AVC-to-SVC for digital TV broadcasting

Mobile digital TV environments demand flexible video compression like scalable video coding (SVC) because of varying bandwidths and devices. Since existing infrastructures highly rely on H.264/AVC video compression, network providers could adapt the current H.264/AVC encoded video to SVC. This adaptation needs to be done efficiently to reduce processing power and operational cost. This paper proposes two techniques to convert an H.264/AVC bitstream in Baseline (P-pictures based) and Main Profile (B-pictures based) without scalability to a scalable bitstream with temporal scalability as part of a framework for low-complexity video adaptation for digital TV broadcasting. Our approaches are based on accelerating the interprediction, focusing on reducing the coding complexity of mode decision and motion estimation tasks of the encoder stage by using information available after the H. 264/AVC decoding stage. The results show that when our techniques are applied, the complexity is reduced by 98 % while maintaining coding efficiency

Reducing the complexity of a multiview H.264/AVC and HEVC hybrid architecture

With the advent of 3D displays, an efficient encoder is required to compress the video information needed by them. Moreover, for gradual market acceptance of this new technology, it is advisable to offer backward compatibility with existing devices. Thus, a multiview H.264/Advance Video Coding (AVC) and High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) hybrid architecture was proposed in the standardization process of HEVC. However, it requires long encoding times due to the use of HEVC. With the aim of tackling this problem, this paper presents an algorithm that reduces the complexity of this hybrid architecture by reducing the encoding complexity of the HEVC views. By using Na < ve-Bayes classifiers, the proposed technique exploits the information gathered in the encoding of the H.264/AVC view to make decisions on the splitting of coding units in HEVC side views. Given the novelty of the proposal, the only similar work found in the literature is an unoptimized version of the algorithm presented here. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve a good tradeoff between coding efficiency and complexity

Modified Debye-Huckel Electron Shielding and Penetration Factor

Screened potential, modified by non standard electron cloud distributions responsible for the shielding effect on fusion of reacting nuclei in astrophysical plasmas, is derived. The case of clouds with depleted tails in space coordinates is discussed. The modified screened potential is obtained both from statistical mechanics arguments based on fluctuations of the inverse of the Debye-Huckel radius and from the solution of a Bernoulli equation used in generalized statistical mechanics. Plots and tables useful in evaluating penetration probability at any energy are provided.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 3 table

Use of nano-additions to improve the performance of UHPFRCs used in geothermal power plant infrastructures

he interest of scientific community on application of nano-additions in concrete is continuously growing due to their outstanding physical and chemical properties. These nano-additions are usually added into concrete to increase the durability in aggressive environments, such as XA environmental exposure classes. This work shows preliminary results on the use of nano-additions in an Ultra High Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) used as a reference. This reference UHPFRC has been modified adding three types of nano-additions: alumina nanofibers (0.25% by weight of cement), cellulose nanocrystals (0.15% by weight of cement) and cellulose nanofibrils (0.15% by weight of cement). The influence of the nano-additions has been analyzed in terms of mechanical properties, such as flexural and compressive strength and on shrinkage and durability properties, analyzed by means of sorptivity tests on uncracked, cracked and self-healed specimens