12,304 research outputs found
Compressive Pattern Matching on Multispectral Data
We introduce a new constrained minimization problem that performs template
and pattern detection on a multispectral image in a compressive sensing
context. We use an original minimization problem from Guo and Osher that uses
minimization techniques to perform template detection in a multispectral
image. We first adapt this minimization problem to work with compressive
sensing data. Then we extend it to perform pattern detection using a formal
transform called the spectralization along a pattern. That extension brings out
the problem of measurement reconstruction. We introduce shifted measurements
that allow us to reconstruct all the measurement with a small overhead and we
give an optimality constraint for simple patterns. We present numerical results
showing the performances of the original minimization problem and the
compressed ones with different measurement rates and applied on remotely sensed
data.Comment: Published in IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensin
Earthquakes and tsunami in November 1755 in Morocco: a different reading of contemporaneous documentary sources
Tsunami seldom strike the European Atlantic shores. The great Lisbon Earthquake of 1 November 1755 is the main destructive tsunamigenic event recorded. Since the mid-1990's, many simulations of propagation of tsunami waves from variants of the possible seismic source have been conducted. Estimates of run-up in Morocco are seldom included in publications, maybe for want of reliable historical data to control the simulations. This paper revisits some early accounts, transmitted as translations to European Chanceries, Scientific Societies and Newspapers. A critical analysis of the documents leads us to conclude that the Lisbon earthquake was overestimated because of amalgamation with a later Rifian earthquake. Then, the overestimation of the tsunami through worst interpretation of the scant data available appeared only reasonable, while the moderate measurements or interpretations were not given their due attention. In Morocco the amplitude of the tsunami (i.e. height at shoreline minus expected tide level) may not have exceed the measurement given by Godin (1755) for Cadiz, 2.5 m above the calculated astronomical tide, a crest-to-trough amplitude of 5 m at most. This age-old overestimation of both the earthquake and tsunami is detrimental to the evaluation of the risk for coastal people and activities
Hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of a high strength steel X80
The present paper deals with hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of a high strength steel grade (X80). The respective implication of different hydrogen populations, i.e. adsorbed, dissolved in interstitial sites, trapped on dislocations and/or microstructural elements on the associated embrittlement mechanisms has been addressed through mechanical testing in high pressure of hydrogen gas at room temperature. Tensile tests at various strain rates and hydrogen pressures have been carried out. Moreover, changes of gas (hydrogen or nitrogen) during loading have been imposed in order to get critical experiments able to discriminate among the potential hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms already proposed in the literature. The results of these tests have shown that hydrogen induces several kind of damages including decohesion along ferrite/pearlite interfaces and microcracks initiations on the specimens external surface. It is shown that decohesion is not critical under the loading paths used in the present study. On the contrary, it appears that the external microcracks initiation, followed by a quasi-cleavage fracture, is responsible for the premature failure of the material in high pressure of hydrogen gas. These experimental results have been further discussed by modeling hydrogen diffusion in order to identify hydrogen populations (adsorbed, diffusible or trapped) involved in HE. It was then demonstrated that adsorbed and near surface diffusible hydrogen are mainly responsible for embrittlement
Comparison of measurements and predictions of sound propagation in a valley-slope configuration in an inhomogeneous atmosphere
Fast and simple epidemiological typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the double-locus sequence typing (DLST) method.
Although the molecular typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is important to understand the local epidemiology of this opportunistic pathogen, it remains challenging. Our aim was to develop a simple typing method based on the sequencing of two highly variable loci. Single-strand sequencing of three highly variable loci (ms172, ms217, and oprD) was performed on a collection of 282 isolates recovered between 1994 and 2007 (from patients and the environment). As expected, the resolution of each locus alone [number of types (NT) = 35-64; index of discrimination (ID) = 0.816-0.964] was lower than the combination of two loci (NT = 78-97; ID = 0.966-0.971). As each pairwise combination of loci gave similar results, we selected the most robust combination with ms172 [reverse; R] and ms217 [R] to constitute the double-locus sequence typing (DLST) scheme for P. aeruginosa. This combination gave: (i) a complete genotype for 276/282 isolates (typability of 98%), (ii) 86 different types, and (iii) an ID of 0.968. Analysis of multiple isolates from the same patients or taps showed that DLST genotypes are generally stable over a period of several months. The high typability, discriminatory power, and ease of use of the proposed DLST scheme makes it a method of choice for local epidemiological analyses of P. aeruginosa. Moreover, the possibility to give unambiguous definition of types allowed to develop an Internet database ( http://www.dlst.org ) accessible by all
Kolmogorov-Smirnov method for the determination of signal time-shifts
A new method for the determination of electric signal time-shifts is
introduced. As the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, it is based on the comparison of
the cumulative distribution functions of the reference signal with the test
signal. This method is very fast and thus well suited for on-line applications.
It is robust to noise and its performances in terms of precision are excellent
for time-shifts ranging from a fraction to several sample durations.
PACS. 29.40.Gx (Tracking and position-sensitive detectors), 29.30.Kv (X- and
-ray spectroscopy), 07.50.Qx (Signal processing electronics)Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure
Towards Low Cost Coupling Structures for Short-Distance Optical Interconnections
The performance of short distance optical interconnections in general relies
very strongly on coupling structures, since they will determine the overall
efficiency of the system to a large extent. Different configurations can be
considered and a variety of manufacturing technologies can be used. We present
two different discrete and two different integrated coupling components which
can be used to deflect the light beam over 90 degrees and can play a crucial
role when integrating optical interconnections in printed circuit boards. The
fabrication process of the different coupling structures is discussed and
experimental results are shown. The main characteristics of the coupling
structures are given. The main advantages and disadvantages of the different
components are discussed
Fast analytical methods for the correction of signal random time-shifts and application to segmented HPGe detectors
Detection systems rely more and more on on-line or off-line comparison of
detected signals with basis signals in order to determine the characteristics
of the impinging particles. Unfortunately, these comparisons are very sensitive
to the random time shifts that may alter the signal delivered by the detectors.
We present two fast algebraic methods to determine the value of the time shift
and to enhance the reliability of the comparison to the basis signals.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figure
Changing molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an Algerian hospital.
INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of both hospital- and community-acquired infections worldwide. However, data about the molecular epidemiology of MRSA in North Africa are still scarce.
METHODOLOGY: All MRSA isolates recovered between January 2006 and July 2011 from one Algerian hospital were genetically and phenotypically characterized.
RESULTS: The predominance of a European community-associated-MRSA (CA-MRSA) clone (ST80-SCCmec IV-PVL positive) was revealed by this analysis.
CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that a CA-MRSA clone recently invaded the hospital setting in Algiers and replaced a typical hospital-associated pandemic clone such as the Brazilian clone (ST239-SCCmec IIImercury-PVL negative)
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