Digital computer processing of X-ray photos

Digital computers correct various distortions in medical and biological photographs. One of the principal methods of computer enhancement involves the use of a two-dimensional digital filter to modify the frequency spectrum of the picture. Another computer processing method is image subtraction

Measurements of a rotor flow in ground effect and visualization of the brown-out phenomenon

Quantitative and qualitative results of a series of experiments conducted on a rotor in ground effect at low forward speeds are presented. The velocity over a wide area of the ground effect wake was measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), and the evolution of the flow is described as the forward speed increases. Helicopter brown-out was simulated through a series of flow visualisation experiments. The technique involved sprinkling a fine powder on the ground below and ahead of the rotor. This helps to validate the experimental simulation of the brown-out phenomenon. Larger dust clouds were observed at lower advance ratio, and the dust cloud penetrated into the areas of the flow including those where vorticity levels were of low or negligible magnitude

Knotted surfaces in 4-manifolds and stabilizations

In this paper, we study stable equivalence of exotically knotted surfaces in 4-manifolds, surfaces that are topologically isotopic but not smoothly isotopic. We prove that any pair of embedded surfaces in the same homology class become smoothly isotopic after stabilizing them by handle additions in the ambient 4-manifold, which can moreover assumed to be attached in a standard way (locally and unknottedly) in many favorable situations. In particular, any exotically knotted pair of surfaces with cyclic fundamental group complements become smoothly isotopic after a same number of standard stabilizations - analogous to C.T.C. Wall's celebrated result on the stable equivalence of simply-connected 4-manifolds. We moreover show that all constructions of exotic knottings of surfaces we are aware of, which display a good variety of techniques and ideas, produce surfaces that become smoothly isotopic after a single stabilization.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figure

The Influence of Wave– and Zonal Mean–Ozone Feedbacks on the Quasi-biennial Oscillation

The effects of wave and zonal mean ozone heating on the evolution of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) are examined using a two-dimensional mechanistic model of the equatorial stratosphere. The model atmosphere is governed by coupled equations for the zonal mean and (linear) wave fields of ozone, temperature, and wind, and is driven by specifying the amplitudes of a Kelvin wave and a Rossby–gravity wave at the lower boundary. Wave–mean flow interactions are accounted for in the model, but not wave–wave interactions. A reference simulation (RS) of the QBO, in which ozone feedbacks are neglected, is carried out and the results compared with Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite observations. The RS is then compared with three model experiments, which examine separately and in combination the effects of wave ozone and zonal mean ozone feedbacks. Wave–ozone feedbacks alone increase the driving by the Kelvin and Rossby–gravity waves by up to 10%, producing stronger zonal wind shear zones and a stronger meridional circulation. Zonal mean–ozone feedbacks (ozone QBO) alone decrease the magnitude of the temperature QBO by up to 15%, which in turn affects the momentum deposition by the wave fields. Overall, the zonal mean–ozone feedbacks increase the magnitude of the meridional circulation by up to 30%. The combined effects of wave–ozone and ozone QBO feedbacks generally produce a larger response then either process alone. Moreover, these combined ozone feedbacks produce a temperature QBO amplitude that is up to 30% larger than simulations without the feedbacks. Correspondingly, significant changes are also observed in the zonal wind and ozone QBOs. When ozone feedbacks are included in the model, the Kelvin and Rossby–gravity wave amplitudes can be reduced by ∼10% and still produce a QBO similar to simulations without ozone

Man-machine interactive imaging and data processing using high-speed digital mass storage

The role of vision in teleoperation has been recognized as an important element in the man-machine control loop. In most applications of remote manipulation, direct vision cannot be used. To overcome this handicap, the human operator's control capabilities are augmented by a television system. This medium provides a practical and useful link between workspace and the control station from which the operator perform his tasks. Human performance deteriorates when the images are degraded as a result of instrumental and transmission limitations. Image enhancement is used to bring out selected qualities in a picture to increase the perception of the observer. A general purpose digital computer, an extensive special purpose software system is used to perform an almost unlimited repertoire of processing operations

A Mathematica interface to NNPDFs

We present a Mathematica interface for handling the parton distribution functions of the NNDPF Collaboration, available from the NNPDF hepforge website http://nnpdf.hepforge.org/. As a case study we briefly summarise the first PDF set which includes all relevant LHC data, NNPDF2.3, and demonstrate the use of our new Mathematica interface.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the 16th International Conference in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD2012), Montpellier July 201

Generic transient memory formation in disordered systems with noise

Out-of-equilibrium disordered systems may form memories of external driving in a remarkable fashion. The system "remembers" multiple values from a series of training inputs yet "forgets" nearly all of them at long times despite the inputs being continually repeated. Here, learning and forgetting are inseparable aspects of a single process. The memory loss may be prevented by the addition of noise. We identify a class of systems with this behavior, giving as an example a model of non-brownian suspensions under cyclic shear.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure