Localization of magnetic sources underground by a data adaptive tomographic scanner

A tomography method is proposed to image magnetic anomaly sources buried below a non-flat ground surface, by developing the expression of the total power associated with a measured magnetic field. By discretising the integral relating a static magnetic field to its source terms, the total power can be written as a sum of crosscorrelation products between the magnetic field data set and the theoretical expression of the magnetic field generated by a source element of unitary strength. Then, applying Schwarz's inequality, an occurrence probability function is derived for imaging any distribution of magnetic anomaly sources in the subsurface. The tomographic procedure consists in scanning the half-space below the survey area by the unitary source and in computing the occurrence probability function at the nodes of a regular grid within the half-space. The grid values are finally contoured in order to single out the zones with high probability of occurrence of buried magnetic anomaly sources. Synthetic and field examples are discussed to test the resolution power of the proposed tomography.Comment: 15 pages, 17 figure

Imaging polar and dipolar sources of geophysical anomalies by probability tomography. Part II: Application to the Vesuvius volcanic area

In the previous part I, we have developed the generalized theory of the probability tomography method to image polar and dipolar sources of a vector or scalar geophysical anomaly field. The purpose of the new method was to improve the core-and-boundary resolution of the most probable buried sources of the anomalies detected in a datum domain. In this paper, which constitutes the part II of the same study, an application of the new approach to the Vesuvius volcano (Naples, Italy) is illustrated in detail by analyzing geoelectrical, self-potential and gravity datasets collected over the whole volcanic area. The purpose is to get new insights into the shallow structure and hydrothermal system of Vesuvius, and the deep geometry of the tectonic depression within which the volcano grew.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure

Introduction to tensorial resistivity probability tomography

The probability tomography approach developed for the scalar resistivity method is here extended to the 2D tensorial apparent resistivity acquisition mode. The rotational invariant derived from the trace of the apparent resistivity tensor is considered, since it gives on the datum plane anomalies confined above the buried objects. Firstly, a departure function is introduced as the difference between the tensorial invariant measured over the real structure and that computed for a reference uniform structure. Secondly, a resistivity anomaly occurrence probability (RAOP) function is defined as a normalised crosscorrelation involving the experimental departure function and a scanning function derived analytically using the Frechet derivative of the electric potential for the reference uniform structure. The RAOP function can be calculated in each cell of a 3D grid filling the investigated volume, and the resulting values can then be contoured in order to obtain the 3D tomographic image. Each non-vanishing value of the RAOP function is interpreted as the probability which a resistivity departure from the reference resistivity obtain in a cell as responsible of the observed tensorial apparent resistivity dataset on the datum plane. A synthetic case shows that the highest RAOP values correctly indicate the position of the buried objects and a very high spacial resolution can be obtained even for adjacent objects with opposite resistivity contrasts with respect to the resistivity of the hosting matrix. Finally, an experimental field case dedicated to an archaeological application of the resistivity tensor method is presented as a proof of the high resolution power of the probability tomography imaging, even when the data are collected in noisy open field conditions.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation detection of Lactobacillus plantarum group on olives to be used in natural fermentations

At present there are very few studies on the bacterial diversity of olives and on the importance of the microbial species for the fermentation of olives aimed to table olives production. Most of the authors report on the occurrence of Lactobacillus plantarum as principal member of these communities or at least as the species responsible for the fermentation. In this study, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) with 16S rRNA probes was used to evaluate the occurrence of L. plantarum in olives. A 18-bp oligonucleotide probe was used in FISH experiments to evaluate the specificity of detection among Lactobacillus species. The probe was tested against 30 Lactobacillus species and appeared to be specific for L. plantarum, L. paraplantarum and L. pentosus. The probe was then used to investigate the occurrence of these species in 25 samples of olives (cultivar “Leccino”) collected in Campania region (Southern Italy). The olives were washed in a saline solution and the suspensions were then analysed by FISH and observed by fluorescence microscopy. No hybridisation signal was detected in at least 30 fields of observation when the L. plantarum-specific probe was used, probably due to the low sensitivity of the FISH method. Olive samples were plated on Rogosa agar and about 40% of the samples did not give growth after 5 days. When colony growth was observed, bulk cells from Rogosa agar plates were collected and analysed by DNA extraction followed by 16S rDNA Polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR–DGGE). The different microbial species were identified by direct sequencing of DGGE bands. Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides was the most frequently found species, occurring in more than 50% of the samples that had shown growth on Rogosa agar. The closest relatives of the species of the genera: Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Pseudomonas and Raoultella were also identified suggesting that guided fermentation by using selected LAB starters is advisable for a safe and desired table olives production

Mechanical response tissue analyzer for estimating bone strength

One of the major concerns for extended space flight is weakness of the long bones of the legs, composed primarily of cortical bone, that functions to provide mechanical support. The strength of cortical bone is due to its complex structure, described simplistically as cylinders of parallel osteons composed of layers of mineralized collagen. The reduced mechanical stresses during space flight or immobilization of bone on Earth reduces the mineral content, and changes the components of its matrix and structure so that its strength is reduced. Currently, the established clinical measures of bone strength are indirect. The measures are based on determinations of mineral density by means of radiography, photon absorptiometry, and quantitative computer tomography. While the mineral content of bone is essential to its strength, there is growing awareness of the limitations of the measurement as the sole predictor of fracture risk in metabolic bone diseases, especially limitations of the measurement as the sole predictor of fracture risk in metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis. Other experimental methods in clinical trials that more directly evaluate the physical properties of bone, and do not require exposure to radiation, include ultrasound, acoustic emission, and low-frequency mechanical vibration. The last method can be considered a direct measure of the functional capacity of a long bone since it quantifies the mechanical response to a stimulus delivered directly to the bone. A low frequency vibration induces a response (impedance) curve with a minimum at the resonant frequency, that a few investigators use for the evaluation of the bone. An alternative approach, the method under consideration, is to use the response curve as the basis for determination of the bone bending stiffness EI (E is the intrinsic material property and I is the cross-sectional moment of inertia) and mass, fundamental mechanical properties of bone

The Wilāyat al-Faqih After the Revolution. The Vali-ye Faqih in the Constitution and Nezām of the Islamic Republic of Iran

El presente ensayo trata la doctrina teológico-jurídica de la wilāyat al-faqih (en árabe, velāyat-e faqih en persa), expresión que puede traducirse con ‘tutela del jurisperito islámico’ –y, en la rendición de la doctrina por parte del gran ayatola Jomeiní, hasta con ‘gobierno del jurisperito islámico’– y su desarrollo e institucionalización en la República islámica de Irán (R.I. de Irán) después de la Revolución de 1979. En este marco, el ensayo analiza la función del vali-ye faqih, el jurisperito islámico encargado del gobierno de la R.I. de Irán, en la Constitución y el ordenamiento (nezām) del país. El término vali-ye faiqh, por su reiterado uso y prestigio, tiende a alternarse con sinónimos como rahbar, rahbar-e enqelāb, maqām-e rahbari o maqām-e mo’azzam-e rahbari.This essay deals with the theological-juridical doctrine of the Arabic wilāyat al-faqih (velāyat-e faqih in Persian), an expression that can be translated as ‘tutelage of the Islamic jurisprudent’ - and, in the forwarding of doctrine by the Great Ayatollah Khomeini, even with ‘government of the Islamic jurisprudent’ - and its development and institutionalization in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IR of Iran) after the 1979 Revolution. In this framework, the essay analyzes the function of the vali-e faqih (the Islamic jurist in charge of the government of the RI of Iran), vis-a-vis the Constitution and the order (nezām) of the country. The term vali-ye faiqh, due to its repeated use and prestige, tends to alternate with synonyms like rahbar, rahbar-e enqelāb, maqām-e rahbari or maqām-e mo’azzam-e rahbari

Technological activities of Staphylococcus carnosus and Staphylococcus simulans strains isolated from fermented sausages

The aim of this study was to determine the technological properties of 2 strains of Staphylococcus simulans (Ssm12, Ssm21) and 4 strains of S. carnosus (SC28, SC31, SC54 and SC55) for the selection of a potential starter cultures to employ in the processing of dry fermented sausages. The strains were studied to evaluate nitrate reductase, proteolytic, lipolytic, decarboxylase and antioxidant activities as well as growth ability at different temperatures, pH and NaCl concentrations. Nitrate reductase activity was determined at 15, 20 and 30 degrees C. By spectrophotometric method all the strains were able to reduce nitrate to nitrite at the different temperatures but these results were not confirmed by the agar plate method. Antioxidant and lipolytic activities were evaluated by spectrophotometric assay. All the strains showed antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase whereas all appeared unable to hydrolyse pork fat. Proteolytic activity was determined by agar plate method, spectrophotometric assay (OPA) and sodium dodecyl sulphate gel-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and all strains appeared to be able to hydrolyse sarcoplasmic proteins but not myofibrillar proteins. Finally, all the strains grew at 15 and 20 degrees C, in presence of 10%, 15% and 20% of NaCl and at pH 5.0 and 5.5 and were unable to produce histamine, cadaverine and putrescine. The results showed that all strains studied possess useful technological activities that would make them eligible as a good starter cultures for fermented sausages

The Serpent, the Apple, and the Fall: Deciphering the Biblical Undoing of Mankind in 17th Century English Literature

This paper analyzes the biblical narrative of mankind\u27s fall from grace through the lens of John Milton\u27s Paradise Lost by investigating and interpreting preceding texts, including Abraham Cowley\u27s Davideis and Jeremy Taylor\u27s Deus Justificatus

A study of the cooperative training programs in retail selling in the high schools of New England

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University, 1949. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive