A hybrid model for mapping simplified seismic response via a GIS-metamodel approach

In earthquake-prone areas, site seismic response due to lithostratigraphic sequence plays a key role in seismic hazard assessment. A hybrid model, consisting of GIS and metamodel (model of model) procedures, was introduced aimed at estimating the 1-D spatial seismic site response in accordance with spatial variability of sediment parameters. Inputs and outputs are provided and processed by means of an appropriate GIS model, named GIS Cubic Model (GCM). This consists of a block-layered parametric structure aimed at resolving a predicted metamodel by means of pixel to pixel vertical computing. The metamodel, opportunely calibrated, is able to emulate the classic shape of the spectral acceleration response in relation to the main physical parameters that characterize the spectrum itself. Therefore, via the GCM structure and the metamodel, the hybrid model provides maps of normalized acceleration response spectra. The hybrid model was applied and tested on the built-up area of the San Giorgio del Sannio village, located in a high-risk seismic zone of southern Italy. Efficiency tests showed a good correspondence between the spectral values resulting from the proposed approach and the 1-D physical computational models. Supported by lithology and geophysical data and corresponding accurate interpretation regarding modelling, the hybrid model can be an efficient tool in assessing urban planning seismic hazard/risk. © Author(s) 2014

An algorithm for operational flood mapping from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data using fuzzy logic

Abstract. An algorithm developed to map flooded areas from synthetic aperture radar imagery is presented in this paper. It is conceived to be inserted in the operational flood management system of the Italian Civil Protection and can be used in an almost automatic mode or in an interactive mode, depending on the user's needs. The approach is based on the fuzzy logic that is used to integrate theoretical knowledge about the radar return from inundated areas taken into account by means of three electromagnetic scattering models, with simple hydraulic considerations and contextual information. This integration aims at allowing a user to cope with situations, such as the presence of vegetation in the flooded area, in which inundation mapping from satellite radars represents a difficult task. The algorithm is designed to work with radar data at L, C, and X frequency bands and employs also ancillary data, such as a land cover map and a digital elevation model. The flood mapping procedure is tested on an inundation that occurred in Albania on January 2010 using COSMO-SkyMed very high resolution X-band SAR data

Modeling L- and X-band backscattering of wheat and tests over fields of Pampas

A discrete scattering model and a detailed set of ground measurements are used to simulate the backscattering coefficients of wheat fields during the whole growth cycle. Simulations are carried out at L- and X-band, and at HH, VV, and HV polarizations. Wheat fields are located in Pampas (Argentina), and are characterized by low values of plant density. Simulations show that the backscattering coefficient is driven by variations of soil moisture at L-band, particularly for HH polarization, with low vegetation effects. Conversely, the attenuation of vegetation is dominant in producing variations of backscattering coefficients at X-band, particularly for VV polarization. Simulations are compared against experimental data collected over the same Pampas region, using airborne SARAT SAR at L-band and COSMO-SKYMED at X-band. Assuming a surface height standard deviation in a 0.4–0.7 cm range, the simulations generally agree with experimental data, with an RMSE lower than about 2 dB at L-band and X-band, except a limited number of cases. Discrepancies observed in specific conditions are discussed. Overall, the results indicate that a joint use of L- and X-band has a good potential to monitor both soil moisture and vegetation growth

Complementary approaches to understanding the plant circadian clock

This is the final version of the article. Available from the Open Publishing Association via the DOI in this record.Proceedings - Third Workshop 'From Biology To Concurrency and back', Paphos, Cyprus, 27 March 2010Circadian clocks are oscillatory genetic networks that help organisms adapt to the 24-hour day/night cycle. The clock of the green alga Ostreococcus tauri is the simplest plant clock discovered so far. Its many advantages as an experimental system facilitate the testing of computational predictions. We present a model of the Ostreococcus clock in the stochastic process algebra Bio-PEPA and exploit its mapping to different analysis techniques, such as ordinary differential equations, stochastic simulation algorithms and model-checking. The small number of molecules reported for this system tests the limits of the continuous approximation underlying differential equations. We investigate the difference between continuous-deterministic and discrete-stochastic approaches. Stochastic simulation and model-checking allow us to formulate new hypotheses on the system behaviour, such as the presence of self-sustained oscillations in single cells under constant light conditions. We investigate how to model the timing of dawn and dusk in the context of model-checking, which we use to compute how the probability distributions of key biochemical species change over time. These show that the relative variation in expression level is smallest at the time of peak expression, making peak time an optimal experimental phase marker. Building on these analyses, we use approaches from evolutionary systems biology to investigate how changes in the rate of mRNA degradation impacts the phase of a key protein likely to affect fitness. We explore how robust this circadian clock is towards such potential mutational changes in its underlying biochemistry. Our work shows that multiple approaches lead to a more complete understanding of the clock.The authors thank Gerben van Ooijen for TopCount data and Jane Hillston and Andrew Millar for their helpful comments. The Centre for Systems Biology at Edinburgh is a Centre for Integrative Systems Biology (CISB) funded by BBSRC and EPSRC, ref. BB/D019621/1. CT is supported by The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization

Narrative-based computational modelling of the Gp130/JAK/STAT signalling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Appropriately formulated quantitative computational models can support researchers in understanding the dynamic behaviour of biological pathways and support hypothesis formulation and selection by "in silico" experimentation. An obstacle to widespread adoption of this approach is the requirement to formulate a biological pathway as machine executable computer code. We have recently proposed a novel, biologically intuitive, narrative-style modelling language for biologists to formulate the pathway which is then automatically translated into an executable format and is, thus, usable for analysis via existing simulation techniques. RESULTS: Here we use a high-level narrative language in designing a computational model of the gp130/JAK/STAT signalling pathway and show that the model reproduces the dynamic behaviour of the pathway derived by biological observation. We then "experiment" on the model by simulation and sensitivity analysis to define those parameters which dominate the dynamic behaviour of the pathway. The model predicts that nuclear compartmentalisation and phosphorylation status of STAT are key determinants of the pathway and that alternative mechanisms of signal attenuation exert their influence on different timescales. CONCLUSION: The described narrative model of the gp130/JAK/STAT pathway represents an interesting case study showing how, by using this approach, researchers can model biological systems without explicitly dealing with formal notations and mathematical expressions (typically used for biochemical modelling), nevertheless being able to obtain simulation and analysis results. We present the model and the sensitivity analysis results we have obtained, that allow us to identify the parameters which are most sensitive to perturbations. The results, which are shown to be in agreement with existing mathematical models of the gp130/JAK/STAT pathway, serve us as a form of validation of the model and of the approach itself

Non perturbative renormalization in coordinate space

We present an exploratory study of a gauge-invariant non-perturbative renormalization technique. The renormalization conditions are imposed on correlation functions of composite operators in coordinate space on the lattice. Numerical results for bilinears obtained with overlap and O(a)-improved Wilson fermions are presented. The measurement of the quark condensate is also discussed.Comment: Lattice2003(improve), 3 page

Kinematic Segmentation and Velocity in Earth Flows: A Consequence of Complex Basal-slip Surfaces

Abstract We investigated relations between geomorphic structures, movement velocity, and basal-slip surface geometry within individual kinematic domains of two large earth flows in the Apennine Mountains of southern Italy: the "Montaguto" earth flow and the "Mount Pizzuto" earth flow. Our analyses indicated that the earth flows are composed of distinct kinematic zones characterized by specific deformational patterns and longitudinal velocity profiles. Variations in velocity within individual kinematic zones is controlled by the geometry of the basal-slip surface, and, in particular by local variations in slope angle. Slip-surface geometry and slope also seem to control the density of extensional structures in driving earth-flow elements

The X-ray Spectrum of the Rapid Burster using the Chandra HETGS

We present observations of the Rapid Burster (RB, also known as MXB 1730-335) using the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer. The average interval between type II (accretion) bursts was about 40 s. There was one type I (thermonuclear flash) burst and about 20 "mini-bursts" which are probably type II bursts whose peak flux is 10-40% of the average peak flux of the other type II bursts. The time averaged spectra of the type II bursts are well fit by a blackbody with a temperature of kT = 1.6 keV, a radius of 8.9 km for a distance of 8.6 kpc, and an interstellar column density of 1.7e22 per sq. cm. No narrow emission or absorption lines were clearly detected. The 3 sigma upper limits to the equivalent widths of any features are < 10 eV in the 1.1-7.0 keV band and as small as 1.5 eV near 1.7 keV. We suggest that Comptonization destroys absorption features such as the resonance line of Fe XXVI.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in AJ (with minor changes and enhanced discussion of the instrument configuration