A novel prestack sparse azimuthal AVO inversion

In this paper we demonstrate a new algorithm for sparse prestack azimuthal AVO inversion. A novel Euclidean prior model is developed to at once respect sparseness in the layered earth and smoothness in the model of reflectivity. Recognizing that methods of artificial intelligence and Bayesian computation are finding an every increasing role in augmenting the process of interpretation and analysis of geophysical data, we derive a generalized matrix-variate model of reflectivity in terms of orthogonal basis functions, subject to sparse constraints. This supports a direct application of machine learning methods, in a way that can be mapped back onto the physical principles known to govern reflection seismology. As a demonstration we present an application of these methods to the Marcellus shale. Attributes extracted using the azimuthal inversion are clustered using an unsupervised learning algorithm. Interpretation of the clusters is performed in the context of the Ruger model of azimuthal AVO

Novel Molecular Approaches to Target Microbial Virulence

Microbial infections still represent one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Irrational usage of antimicrobials has lead to increased resistance, causing clinical, social and economical disabilities. Therefore, one of the major challenges of scientists is to develop novel alternative methods to handle infections and reduce resistance and other side effects produced by the actual therapies. The aim of this book is to offer a perspective on novel approaches to handle infections by using naturally-derived products in order to modulate the virulence of pathogens, without the risk of developing resistance. We intend to highlight the utility of microbial, vegetal and animal–derived compounds with potential antimicrobial activity by exploiting their effect on microbial virulence. Furthermore, this book aims to reveal the potential to assimilate recent bio-technological findings, like the usage of nanotechnology as efficient shuttles for stabilizing, improved targeting and the controlled release of natural products in order to efficiently fight infections

Anterior-posterior sway energy at 0.5 Hz during visual stimulation and rest and comparison statistics for the target and control conditions in experiment 1b.

<p>All comparisons show significant differences between the visual stimulation and rest condition (Bonferroni corrected alpha levels of p = 0.01, (0.05/5)).</p

Relative amplitude of the postural sway response at the visual stimulus frequency (0.5 Hz) during visual stimulation (black bars) and without stimulus (Pause, grey bars) in the anterior-posterior plane.

<p>The labels identify the fixation point (BG/FG: background/foreground object fixation) and the type of anchor provided: visual – a rendered object in the foreground, touch – light finger touch, audio – a static white noise audio source.</p

Relative amplitude of the postural sway response at the visual stimulus frequency (0.5 Hz) during visual stimulation (black bars) and without stimulus (Pause, grey bars).

<p>The labels identify the fixation point (BG/FG: background/foreground object fixation) and the type of anchor provided: visual – a rendered object in the foreground, touch – light finger touch, audio – a static white noise audio source.</p

Sway energy at 0.5 Hz during visual stimulation and rest and comparison statistics for the target and control condition in experiment 2b.

<p>All comparisons showed significant differences between the visual stimulation and rest condition (Bonferroni corrected alpha levels of p = 0.0071, (0.05/7)).</p

Lateral Sway energy at 0.5 Hz during visual stimulation and rest and comparison statistics for the target and control conditions in experiment 1a.

<p>Comparisons where there are significant differences between the visual stimulation and rest condition (Bonferroni corrected alpha levels of p = 0.01, (0.05/5)) are highlighted in bold.</p

Relative amplitude of the postural sway response at the visual stimulus frequency (0.5 Hz) during lateral motion of the background (black bars) and without background motion (Pause, grey bars).

<p>The labels identify the fixation point (BG/FG: background/foreground object fixation) and whether the foreground object was a virtual representation or a physical object (real). Conditions ‘BG virtual’/‘BG real’ and ‘FG virtual’/‘FG real’ represent equivalent stimulus configurations where responses to real and virtually represented objects are compared.</p

The stimuli from the viewer’s perspective.

<p>Participants were asked to press a button when the fixation target (either a red dot on the background image (A) or a blue dot on the foreground object (B)) transiently disappeared. Panel C shows a plan view of the room layout: Participants viewed a moving image of a barcode 4 m ahead of them. A real or virtual teapot on a stand 2 m from the observer was used as a foreground object.</p

Postural sway in Z direction during visual stimulation (back bars) and pause (grey bars) in the anterior-posterior direction.

<p>The conditions are the same as shown in Fig. 10.</p