Identification of Bare-Airframe Dynamics from Closed-Loop Data Using Multisine Inputs and Frequency Responses

Amethod is presented for computing multiple-input multiple-output frequency responses of bare-airframe dynamics for systems excited using orthogonal phase-optimized multisines and including correlated data arising from control mixing or feedback control. The estimation was posed as the solution to an underdetermined system of linear equations, for which additional information was supplied using interpolation of the frequency responses. A simulation model of the NASA T-2 aircraft having two inputs and two outputs was used to investigate the method in the open-loop configuration and under closed-loop control. The method was also applied to flight test data from the X-56A aeroelastic demonstrator having five inputs and ten outputs and flying under closed-loop control with additional control allocation mixing. Results demonstrated that the proposed method accurately estimates the bare airframe frequency responses in the presence of correlated data from control mixing and feedback control. Results also agreed with estimates obtained using different methods that are less sensitive to correlated inputs

Extensions of algebraic image operators: An approach to model-based vision

Researchers extend their previous research on a highly structured and compact algebraic representation of grey-level images which can be viewed as fuzzy sets. Addition and multiplication are defined for the set of all grey-level images, which can then be described as polynomials of two variables. Utilizing this new algebraic structure, researchers devised an innovative, efficient edge detection scheme. An accurate method for deriving gradient component information from this edge detector is presented. Based upon this new edge detection system researchers developed a robust method for linear feature extraction by combining the techniques of a Hough transform and a line follower. The major advantage of this feature extractor is its general, object-independent nature. Target attributes, such as line segment lengths, intersections, angles of intersection, and endpoints are derived by the feature extraction algorithm and employed during model matching. The algebraic operators are global operations which are easily reconfigured to operate on any size or shape region. This provides a natural platform from which to pursue dynamic scene analysis. A method for optimizing the linear feature extractor which capitalizes on the spatially reconfiguration nature of the edge detector/gradient component operator is discussed

The assessment of trait emotional intelligence: psychometric characteristics of the TEIQue-full form in a large Italian adult sample

Trait Emotional Intelligence (or trait emotional self-efficacy) is a constellation of emotional perceptions assessed through questionnaires and rating scales (Petrides et al., 2007b). This paper examined the psychometric features of the Trait Emotional Questionnaire Full Form (TEIQue-FF; Petrides, 2009b) in the Italian context. Incremental validity in the prediction of depression and anxiety was also tested with respect to the Big Five. Participants were 1343 individuals balanced for gender (690 females and 653 males) whose mean age was 29.65 years (SD = 13.64, range 17-74 years). They completed a questionnaire battery containing the TEIQue and measures of the Big Five, depression, and anxiety (both trait and state). Results indicated that the performance of the TEIQue-FF in the Italian context was comparable to the original United Kingdom version as regards its reliability and factor structure. Moreover, the instrument showed incremental validity in the prediction of depression and state-trait anxiety after controlling for the Big Five

The Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) spectral library: spectral diagnostics for cool stars

The near-infrared (NIR) wavelength range offers some unique spectral features, and it is less prone to the extinction than the optical one. Recently, the first flux calibrated NIR library of cool stars from the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) have become available, and it has not been fully exploited yet. We want to develop spectroscopic diagnostics for stellar physical parameters based on features in the wavelength range 1-5 micron. In this work we test the technique in the I and K bands. The study of the Y, J, H, and L bands will be presented in the following paper. An objective method for semi-empirical definition of spectral features sensitive to various physical parameters is applied to the spectra. It is based on sensitivity map--i.e., derivative of the flux in the spectra with respect to the stellar parameters at a fixed wavelength. New optimized indices are defined and their equivalent widths (EWs) are measured. A number of sensitive features to the effective temperature and surface gravity are re-identified or newly identified clearly showing the reliability of the sensitivity map analysis. The sensitivity map allows to identify the best bandpass limits for the line and nearby continuum. It reliably predicts the trends of spectral features with respect to a given physical parameter but not their absolute strengths. Line blends are easy to recognize when blended features have different behavior with respect to some physical stellar parameter. The use of sensitivity map is therefore complementary to the use of indices. We give the EWs of the new indices measured for the IRTF star sample. This new and homogeneous set of EWs will be useful for stellar population synthesis models and can be used to get element-by-element abundances for unresolved stellar population studies in galaxies.Comment: 46 pages, 27 figures, accepted for publication on Astronomy and Astrophysic

A review of the advantages and limitations of geophysical investigations in landslide studies

Landslide deformations involve approximately all geological materials (natural rocks, soil, artificial fill, or combinations of these materials) and can occur and develop in a large variety of volumes and shapes. The characterization of the material inhomogeneities and their properties, the study of the deformation processes, and the delimitation of boundaries and potential slip surfaces are not simple goals. Since the ‘70s, the international community (mainly geophysicists and lower geologists and geological engineers) has begun to employ, together with other techniques, geophysical methods to characterize and monitor landslides. Both the associated advantages and limitations have been highlighted over the years, and some drawbacks are still open. This review is focused on works of the last twelve years (2007-2018), and the main goal is to analyse the geophysical community efforts toward overcoming the geophysical technique limitations highlighted in the 2007 geophysics and landslide review. To achieve this aim, contrary to previous reviews that analysed the advantages and limitations of each technique using a “technique approach,” the analysis was carried out using a “material landslide approach” on the basis of the more recent landslides classification

HMM-Based tracking of moving terminals in dense multipath indoor environments

This paper deals with the problem of radio localization of moving terminals (MTs) for indoor applications with mixed line-of sight/non-line-of-sight (LOS/NLOS) conditions. To reduce false localizations, a Bayesian approach is proposed to estimate the MT position. The tracking algorithm is based on a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) that permits to jointly track both the MT position and the sight condition. Numerical results show that the proposed HMM method improves the localization accuracy in LOS/NLOS indoor environments

COMPLICANZE DELL'IPERCORTISOLISMO SUBCLINICO: RISCHIO DI INSORGENZA DI FRATTURE VERTEBRALI E POSSIBILE RUOLO DELL'ORMONE DELLA CRESCITA.

Title: Subclinical hypercortisolism\u2019 s complications: vertebral fracture\u2019s risk and possible role of GH deficiency. In patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AI), subclinical hypercortisolism (SH) has been associated with vertebral fractures and reduction of bone mass and quality. Spinal deformity index (SDI) has been proposed as a surrogate index of bone quality. The incidence of vertebral fractures in AI patients is unknown. Moreover, overt cortisol excess is known to be associated with blunted GH secretion that generally normalizes after successful surgery. Subclinical Hypercortisolism (SH), has been not associated with reduced GH secretion. Data about the GH reserve in SH patients after adrenalectomy are lacking. Aim of this prospective, multicenter study is to evaluate, in AI patients, bone mass changes and vertebral fracture\u2019s risk, and assess GH secretory reserve in a subgroup of AI patients without and with SH and, in these latter, before and after surgery. In 104 patients (36 M, 68 F) at baseline, after 12 and 24 months pituitary-adrenal axis secretion and bone status were evaluated. We diagnosed SH in the presence of at least 2 out of urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels >70 \u3bcg/24h; serum cortisol levels after 1\u2013mg dexamethasone (Dex) suppression test (1mg-DST) >3.0 \u3bcg/dL; ACTH levels <10 pg/mL in at least 2 out of 3 evaluations. On the basis of the presence of SH we divided patients into SH- and SH+ groups. We evaluated: bone mineral density (BMD) by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry at lumbar spine and femoral neck; presence of vertebral fractures using the semi-quantitative visual assessment of spinal radiographs; SDI by summing the grade of deformity for each vertebra. In AI 23 patients we also assessed GH secretion and reserve by GH Releasing Hormone+Arginine (GHRH-ARG) test and age-adjusted IGF1 levels (IGF1-SDS). On the basis of the presence or absence of SH patients were divided in SH+ (8F; 3M; age 58\ub16.1 yrs) and SH- (12F; age 62\ub18.3 yrs) group. Six out of eight SH+ patients, who underwent surgery, were re-evaluated after withdrawal of steroid substitutive therapy. At the end of follow-up SH+ patients (27/104) showed an higher prevalence of vertebral fractures (81.5 %) as compared to baseline (48.1%; P= 0.021), and a worsening of SDI (1.39\ub12.83 vs 0.41\ub11.44; P=0.008 respectively) that was associated with the presence of SH regardless for age, gender, BMI, BMD, basal SDI and years since menopause (OR 11.92, 95%CI 4.0-35.5; P=0.001). In SH- patients the prevalence of vertebral fractures was not different between baseline (29.9%) and the end of follow-up (36.4%). The incidence of new vertebral fractures was higher in SH+ than in SH- group (48% vs 13%, P=0.001). Among the 23 patients evaluated for GH secretion, the GH peak and the GH secretory response to GHRH-ARG (expressed as the area under the curve, GH-AUC) were lower in SH+ as compared to SH- patients (22.0\ub119.4 vs 42.6\ub127.9 ng/ml, P<0.05; 1931.4\ub11710.8 vs 3864.2\ub12294.4, P=0.03 respectively) without correlations with metabolic and adrenal function parameters. After adrenalectomy, in the six SH+ patients operated on, GH-AUC values tended to increase (1645.8\ub11032.9 pre-surgery; 3244.8\ub12207.5 post-surgery; P=0.072). In conclusion, in AI patients subclinical hypercortisolism is associated with an increased risk to develop new vertebral fractures over time. The role of GH secretion, that appears to be decreased in these patients, should be evaluated in larger samples

Kinematic reconstruction of a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation by geomorphic analyses

On 4 November 2010, a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (North Italy) reactivated with sudden ground movement. A 450,000 m2 mountainous area moved some metres downslope, but the undeniable signs were only connected to the triggering of a debris flow from the bulging area’s detrital cover and the presence of a continuous perimeter fracture near the crown area. Based on two detailed LiDAR surveys (2 m × 2 m) performed just a few days before and after the event, a quantitative topographic analysis was performed in a GIS environment, integrating morphometric terrain parameters (slope, aspect, surface roughness, hill shade, and curvature). The DEMs analysis highlighted some morphological changes related to deeper as well as shallow movements. Both global and sectorial displacements were widely verified and discussed, finally inferring that the geometry, persistence, and layout of all movements properly justify each current morphostructure, which has the shape of a typical Sackung-type structure with impulsive kinematics. Moreover, a targeted field survey allowed specific clues to be found that confirmed the global deduced dynamics of the slope deformation. Finally, thanks to a ground-based interferometric radar system (GB-InSAR) that was installed a few days after the reactivation, the residual deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD) movements were also monitored. In the landslide lower bulging area, a localized material progression of small entities was observed for some months after the parossistic event, indicating a slow dissipation of forces in sectors more distant from the crown area