Automated detection of block falls in the north polar region of Mars

We developed a change detection method for the identification of ice block falls using NASA's HiRISE images of the north polar scarps on Mars. Our method is based on a Support Vector Machine (SVM), trained using Histograms of Oriented Gradients (HOG), and on blob detection. The SVM detects potential new blocks between a set of images; the blob detection, then, confirms the identification of a block inside the area indicated by the SVM and derives the shape of the block. The results from the automatic analysis were compared with block statistics from visual inspection. We tested our method in 6 areas consisting of 1000x1000 pixels, where several hundreds of blocks were identified. The results for the given test areas produced a true positive rate of ~75% for blocks with sizes larger than 0.7 m (i.e., approx. 3 times the available ground pixel size) and a false discovery rate of ~8.5%. Using blob detection we also recover the size of each block within 3 pixels of their actual size

Narcicismo en practicantes de musculación y practicandes de natación, un estudio comparativo

En este estudio se analizan un conjunto de rasgos que configuran una tendencia de personalidad definida, el narcisismo, en el contexto de una determinada práctica deportiva. Se supone que ligado a determinados deportes aparecencomportamientos y actitudes que se asocian comúnmente al narcisismo, como en el caso de la musculación. En este trabajo se realiza un análisis empírico del grado de narcisismo mediante la versión espanola del Narcissistic Personality Inventory de Raskin y Terry (1988) en una muestra de practicantes de musculación (30 hombres y 30 mujeres) comparándolos con un grupo de practicantes de natación (27 hombres y 30 mujeres). Los resultados muestran una diferencia significativa sólo en la subescala de vanidad (mayor grado en el grupo de musculación). No se apreciaron diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en ninguna de las subescalas. También se revisan algunas propiedades psicométricas de esta escala.This study deals with a cluster of personality traits that embodies a particular personality tendency, narcissism, within the context of a specific sports activity. It is assumed that a particular type of exercise is associated with behaviours and attitudes that are commonly viewed as "narcissistic", as it is the case of body-building. This investigation measured the degree of narcissism with the Spanish version of the Raskin and Terry (1988) Narcissistic Personality Inventory in a group of body-builders (30 males and 30 females) compared to a group of people who practice swimming regularly (27 males and 30 females). The results show a significant difference only in the "vanity" subscale (higher in bodybuilders). No differences appeared with respect to gender. Several psychometric properties of the scale are also revised

Implications of the Global Surface Fault Distribution and of Lithospheric Cooling

This contribution presents a model that links the observed distribution of surface faults to the spatial distribution of marsquakes. The annual seismic moment budget is computed based on the as-sumption that global cooling and subsequent shrink-ing of Mars is the main source of strain today [1]. A truncated Gutenberg-Richter distribution is used to re-late the seismic moment budget to marsquake frequen-cies. We have derived a theoretical relation for the limitation of quake size by the lengths of the individual faults. This relation is used for the simulation of epi-center catalogs that may serve as input data for the development of seismological experiments

LATERAL VARIATIONS IN BULK DENSITY AND POROSITY OF THE UPPER LUNAR CRUST FROM HIGH-RESOLUTION GRAVITY AND TOPOGRAPHY DATA: COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES

We map lateral variations in bulk density of the upper lunar highland crust using the most recent GRAIL gravity field solution of degree and order 1500 in combination with LOLA topography data, both truncated to an upper limit of degree and order 700. Our maps have a spatial resolution of 0.75°, where each grid point was calculated using circular analysis regions of 3° radius. We apply two methods, which yield similar results for most parts of the study area. The first method minimizes the correlation between topography and Bouguer anomalies, the second maximizes the smoothness of the Bouguer anomalies. Both approaches suffer in the case that terrain is flat and lacks topographic features; consequently, this is where results from the two methods differ. We also mapped porosity of the crust using grain densities derived from Lunar Prospector spectrometry and sample analysis. It appears that variations in bulk density are mostly related to differences in crustal porosity. We find that high porosity is often associated with areas of impact basins. This confirms earlier studies, that impacts changed the geophysical characteristics of the lithosphere sustainably and that the high porosity of the upper lunar crust is most likely impact induced

Co-registration of Laser Altimeter Tracks with Digital Terrain Models and Applications in Planetary Science

We have derived algorithms and techniques to precisely co-register laser altimeter profiles with gridded Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), typically derived from stereo images. The algorithm consists of an initial grid search followed by a least-squares matching and yields the translation parameters at sub-pixel level needed to align the DTM and the laser profiles in 3D space. This software tool was primarily developed and tested for co-registration of laser profiles from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) with DTMs derived from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) stereo images. Data sets can be co-registered with positional accuracy between 0.13 m and several meters depending on the pixel resolution and amount of laser shots, where rough surfaces typically result in more accurate co-registrations. Residual heights of the data sets are as small as 0.18 m. The software can be used to identify instrument misalignment, orbit errors, pointing jitter, or problems associated with reference frames being used. Also, assessments of DTM effective resolutions can be obtained. From the correct position between the two data sets, comparisons of surface morphology and roughness can be made at laser footprint- or DTM pixel-level. The precise co-registration allows us to carry out joint analysis of the data sets and ultimately to derive merged high-quality data products. Examples of matching other planetary data sets, like LOLA with LRO Wide Angle Camera (WAC) DTMs or Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) with stereo models from the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) as well as Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) with Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) are shown to demonstrate the broad science applications of the software tool

Stress Evaluation of Welded Steel Bridges on Coal-Haul Routes

This report describes the procedure developed and being employed to determine and assess live-load stresses in structural members of welded steel bridges on extended· weight coal haul routes. Those bridges are routinely subjected to loads from coal trucks in excess of those permitted on other routes. Those elevated loads may result in high stresses in bridge members. Of principal concern are certain weld details on steel bridges that are susceptible to fatigue cracking when subject to high live-load stresses. Seventeen welded steel bridges on extended-weight coal haul routes have been identified for investigation under this study. The study test procedure consists of 1) a review of coal-haul data and plans to identify lanes of a bridge subject to greatest coal-truck loading, 2) identification of weld details of interest for analysis on portions of the bridge superstructure subject to high live-load stresses, 3) field application of strain gages to measure live-load stresses at locations of interest on a bridge, 4) continuous monitoring of live stresses from routine traffic for an extended period and 5) data retrieval and reduction and fatigue analysis. Fatigue analysis is based on the number of stress cycles measured during the field test and the equivalent resolved live-load stress. That is compared to the 1992 AASHTO fatigue performance data for applicable structural details (e.g. welded connections). An exemplary use of the study test procedure is given for the KY 15 bridge over the North Fork of the Kentucky River and KY SO in Perry Co. This report describes the test locations, test procedures and results of the derived test data. The field tests will indicate the level of live-load stresses to which the bridges are exposed. Additionally, the fatigue analyses may indicate whether welded steel bridges on extended-weight coal haul routes are susceptible to fatigue damage

Summary of Stress Evaluations of Welded Steel Bridges on Coal-Haul Routes

Stress analyses were performed on continuous girder welded steel bridges on extended weights coal-haul routes. The tests were intended to determine whether extended weight coal trucks pose fatigue problems to those bridges. Measurements were performed by strain gaging selected bridges subject to high coal transport tonnages. Stress measurements were conducted on fatigue-prone weld details or test sites where high tensile stresses were anticipated. Test sites on the bridges were instrumented with strain gages. Strains induced by routine traffic including coal trucks were monitored for periods of one to two weeks. Unattended monitoring of the variable amplitude strain data was performed using rainflow counting. Eighteen successful tests were performed on 15 coal-haul route bridges and one interstate bridge. The derived strain data are provided as stress histograms. Fatigue analyses were performed by expressing the stress histogram data as single-value equivalent stresses. The accumulated number of stress cycles was estimated using 3 different assumptions based upon variations in traffic. Accumulated stress cycles were determined over the current age of each weld detail and a projected service life of 75 years. Susceptibility to fatigue was determined by superimposing the equivalent resolved stresses and total number of cycles as accumulated damage on AASHTO fatigue design curves for the applicable structural details. The fatigue analyses indicate that none of the test bridges with fatigue-prone weld details is susceptible to fatigue cracking either at their current age or over their project 75-year service lives. While coal trucks may induce high live stresses on those bridges, the number of those stress applications was not sufficient to pose fatigue problems. The equivalent resolved stresses measured on the interstate bridge were similar in magnitude to those measured on coal-haul routes. However, the number of stress cycles was greater for the interstate bridge than most of the coal-haul route bridges