Automated,high temporal resolution,thermal analysis of Kilauea volcano,Hawai'i,using GOES satellite data

Thermal data are directly available from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) every 15 minutes at existing or inexpensively installed receiving stations. This data stream is ideal for monitoring high temperature features such as active lava flows and fires. To provide a near-real-time hot spot monitoring tool, we have developed, tested and installed software to analyse GOES data on-reception and then make results available in a timely fashion via the web. Our software automatically: (1) produces hot spot images and movies; (2) uses a thresholding procedure to generate a hot spot map; (3) updates hot spot radiance and cloud index time series; and (4) issues a threshold-based e-mail alert. Results are added to http://volcano1.pgd.hawaii.edu/goes/ within ～12 minutes of image acquisition and are updated every 15 minutes. Analysis of GOES data acquired for effusive activity at Kilauea volcano (Hawai'i) during 1997-98 show that short (<1 hour long) events producing 100m long (10² to 10³ m²) lava flows are detectable. This means that time constraints can be placed on sudden, rapidly evolving efflusive events with an accuracy of 7.5 minutes. Changes in activity style and extent can also be documented using hot spot size, intensity and shape. From radiance time series we distinguish (1) tube-fed activity (low radiance, <10 MW m² m^-1); (2) activity pauses (no radiance); (3) lava lake activity (low radiance, <5 MW m² m^-1); (4) short (<3 km long) flow extension (moderate radiance, 10-20 MW m² m ¹ ); and (5) 12 km long flow extension (high radiance, 15-30 MW m² m^-1). The ability of GOES to detect short-lived effusive events, coupled with the speed with which GOES-based hot spot information can be processed and disseminated, means that GOES offers a valuable additional volcano monitoring tool.     

Fear Appeals,Message Processing Cues,and Credibility in the Websites of Violent,Ideological, and Nonideological Groups

Ideological groups use the Internet to deliver their messages unhindered by the constraints of traditional media. We examined how ideological groups promote their worldview through their websites. Using the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), this research used trained coders to examine the websites of nonideological groups (n = 37), nonviolent ideological groups (n = 36), and violent ideological groups (n = 32) for credibility, persuasion processing cues, and interactivity factors. Results of this study found that the websites of violent ideological groups use more fear appeals, were less interactive, and were the least credible of the 3 groups. All 3 groups used more central cues than peripheral suggesting they focused on evidence for their arguments rather than emotion.     

The asymptotic behaviour,the angles of departure,and the angles of approach,of the characteristic frequency loci

In algebraic function theory, there is a well established method which uses ‘Newton's diagram’ to find the series expansions of an algebraic function q(x) in the neighbourhood of a point x₀ . In this paper it is shown how, for a linear, time-invariant, multi-variable feedback system, this method can be used to find :

(i) the asymptotic behaviour of the characteristic frequency loci (multivariable root loci) ;

(ii) the angles of departure of the characteristic frequency loci from the open-loop poles ; and

(iii) the angles of approach of the characteristic frequency loci to the finite zeros of such a system.     

Intercomparison of satellite and ground-based measurements of ozone,NO2, HF,and HCl near Saint Petersburg,Russia

Regular intercomparison of different observing systems is a part of their testing and validation protocol, which gives the estimates of real measurement errors. The main objective of our study is the comparison of satellite and ground-based measurements of atmospheric composition near Saint Petersburg, Russia. Since early 2009, high-resolution Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) solar absorption spectra have been recorded at Peterhof station (59.82° N, 29.88° E), located in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg. We derived column amounts of O₃, HCl, HF, and NO₂ from these spectra using the retrieval codes SFIT2 and PROFFIT. We compared the data retrieved from Bruker 125 HR FTIR measurements with coincident satellite observations of the Microwave Limb Sounding (MLS), Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), Fourier Transform Spectrometer from Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE-FTS), Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME and GOME-2), and Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) instruments. The relative differences in ozone columns of FTIR from OMI-TOMS amount within (+3.4 ± 2.9)%, from GOME-2 are (+2.2 ± 3.0)%. The comparison of FTIR and MLS measurements of stratospheric ozone columns gives no mean and 5% of the RMS differences. Measurements of NO₂ columns agree with the mean difference of +9% and the RMS differences within 14–16% for FTIR vs. GOME-2, SCIAMACHY, and OMI. FTIR vs. GOME comparison gives (+6 ± 31)%. HCl columns comparison for FTIR vs. MLS shows ?4.5% in the mean and 12% in the RMS differences. FTIR vs. ACE-FTS comparison (nine cases) gives ?8% and 10% for the mean and the RMS relative differences, respectively. Comparison of HF columns shows (?12 ± 6)% and (?12 ± 11)% for FTIR vs. ACE data v.2.2 and v.3.0, respectively. These figures show that the Peterhof ground-based FTIR measuring system can be used to support the validation of satellite data in the monitoring of stratospheric gases.     

Differences in typing forces,muscle activity,comfort, and typing performance among virtual,notebook, and desktop keyboards

The present study investigated whether there were physical exposure and typing productivity differences between a virtual keyboard with no tactile feedback and two conventional keyboards where key travel and tactile feedback are provided by mechanical switches under the keys. The key size and layout were same across all the keyboards. Typing forces; finger and shoulder muscle activity; self-reported comfort; and typing productivity were measured from 19 subjects while typing on a virtual (0 mm key travel), notebook (1.8 mm key travel), and desktop keyboard (4 mm key travel). When typing on the virtual keyboard, subjects typed with less force (p's < 0.0001) and had lower finger flexor/extensor muscle activity (p's < 0.05). However, the lower typing forces and finger muscle activity came at the expense of a 60% reduction in typing productivity (p < 0.0001), decreased self-reported comfort (p's < 0.0001), and a trend indicating an increase in shoulder muscle activity (p's < 0.10). Therefore, for long typing sessions or when typing productivity is at a premium, conventional keyboards with tactile feedback may be more suitable interface.     

The effects of age,viewing distance,display type,font type,colour contrast and number of syllables on the legibility of Korean characters

This study evaluated the effects of age (20s and 60s), viewing distance (50 cm, 200 cm), display type (paper, monitor), font type (Gothic, Ming), colour contrast (black letters on white background, white letters on black background) and number of syllables (one, two) on the legibility of Korean characters by using the four legibility measures (minimum letter size for 100% correctness, maximum letter size for 0% correctness, minimum letter size for the least discomfort and maximum letter size for the most discomfort). Ten subjects in each age group read the four letters presented on a slide (letter size varied from 80 pt to 2 pt). Subjects also subjectively rated the reading discomfort of the letters on a 4-point scale (1 = no discomfort, 4 = most discomfort). According to the ANOVA procedure, age, viewing distance and font type significantly affected the four dependent variables (p < 0.05), while the main effect of colour contrast was not statistically significant for any measures. Two-syllable letters had smaller letters than one-syllable letters in the two correctness measures. The younger group could see letter sizes two times smaller than the old group could and the viewing distance of 50 cm showed letters about three times smaller than those at a 200 cm viewing distance. The Gothic fonts were smaller than the Ming fonts. Monitors were smaller than paper for correctness and maximum letter size for the most discomfort. From a comparison of the results for correctness and discomfort, people generally preferred larger letter sizes to those that they could read. The findings of this study may provide basic information for setting a global standard of letter size or font type to improve the legibility of characters written in Korean.

Statement of Relevance: Results obtained in this study will provide basic information and guidelines for setting standards of letter size and font type to improve the legibility of characters written in Korean. Also, the results might offer useful information for people who are working on design of visual displays.     

User Experience of On-Screen Interaction Techniques: An Experimental Investigation of Clicking,Sliding, Zooming,Hovering, Dragging,and Flipping

From scrolling and clicking to dragging, flipping, sliding, hovering, and zooming, the wide array of interaction techniques has vastly expanded the range of user actions on an interface. Each of these interaction techniques affords a distinct action. But do these techniques differ in their ability to engage users and contribute to their user experience? Furthermore, do they affect how users view the content and how much they learn from it? We address these questions via two between-subjects laboratory experiments. Study 1 (N = 128) investigated the relative effects of six on-screen interaction techniques (click-to-download, drag, mouseover, slide, zoom, and 3D carousel) on users' assessment of—as well as their engagement with—an informational website. The site for each condition was identical in content and design, except for the interaction technique used, so that we could isolate the effects of each technique on various cognitive, attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. Study 2 (N = 127) examined the relative effects of four combinations of interaction techniques (slide+click, slide+mouseover, drag+mouseover, and drag+zoom) on the same dependent variables. Data from Study 1 suggest that although the 3D carousel generates more user action, the slide is better at aiding memory. The zoom-in/out tool was the least favored, whereas the mouseover feature fostered greater engagement among power users. Findings from Study 2, which was conducted with a different content domain, replicated the positive effects of slide and negative effects of drag in influencing user experience. Path analyses, using structural equation modeling, revealed the importance of users' assessment of the interface (perceived levels of natural mapping, intuitiveness, and ease of use), which can have significant consequences for user engagement as well as resulting attitudes and behavioral outcomes. Design insights, theories, and techniques to test and capture user experience are discussed.     

Regional remapping of the basement complex outcrops,using factor analysis to spectrometric data,of the Gabal Eteiqa,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Regional radiometric-geological mapping of the outcropping basement complex in the Gabal Eteiqa area has been carried out through the application of factor analysis technique

Three factor scores (F_?1 F_?2 and F_?3), which reflect the interrelation of the seven spectrometric variables (TC, eU, eTh, K, eU/eTh, eU/K and eTh/K), are sufficient to outline the different rock units, F_?1 outlines the highly-radioactive rocks such as granodiorites, granites, ring complexes and acidic volcanics. The granodiorite and ring complexes are completely differentiated by F_?2 scores. The F_?3 values enable the granitic plutons to be divided into numerous subunits (e.g. G₁" G₂, G₃ and G₄). It is believed that the low radiometric level of G₄ is due to the Quaternary wadi deposits that overlie the granites, an interpretation confirmed by aerial photomosaics.     

Computation, Implementation, Cognition

Putnam (Representations and reality. MIT Press, Cambridge, 1988) and Searle (The rediscovery of the mind. MIT Press, Cambridge, 1992) famously argue that almost every physical system implements every finite computation. This universal implementation claim, if correct, puts at the risk of triviality certain functional and computational views of the mind. Several authors have offered theories of implementation that allegedly avoid the pitfalls of universal implementation. My aim in this paper is to suggest that these theories are still consistent with a weaker result, which is the nomological possibility of systems that simultaneously implement different complex automata. Elsewhere I (Shagrir in J Cogn Sci, 2012) argue that this simultaneous implementation result challenges a computational sufficiency thesis (articulated by Chalmers in J Cogn Sci, 2012). My focus here is on theories of implementation. After presenting the basic simultaneous implementation construction, I argue that these theories do not avoid the simultaneous implementation result. The conclusion is that the idea that the implementation of the right kind of automaton suffices for a possession of a mind is dubious.     

Worlds,Events, and Inertia

The semantics of progressive sentences presents a challenge to linguists and philosophers alike. According to a widely accepted view, the truth-conditions of progressive sentences rely essentially on a notion of inertia. Dowty (Word meaning and Montague grammar: the semantics of verbs and times in generative grammar and in Montague’s PTQ, D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, 1979) suggested inertia worlds to implement this “inertia idea” in a formal semantic theory of the progressive. The main thesis of the paper is that the notion of inertia went through a subtle, but crucial change when worlds were replaced by events in Landman (Nat Lang Semant 1:1–32, 1992) and Portner (Language 74(4):760–787, 1998), and that this new, event-related concept of inertia results in a possibility-based theory of the progressive. An important case in point in the paper is a proof that, despite its surface structure, the theory presented in Portner (1998) does not implement the notion of inertia in Dowty (1979); rather, it belongs together with Dowty’s earlier, 1977 theory according to which the progressive is a possibility operator.     

Estimating the amount of cyan,magenta, yellow,and black inks in arbitrary colour pictures

This paper is concerned with the offset lithographic colour printing. To obtain high quality colour prints, given proportions of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks (four primary inks used in the printing process) should be accurately maintained in any area of the printed picture. To accomplish the task, the press operator needs to measure the printed result for assessing the proportions and use the measurement results to reduce the colour deviations. Specially designed colour bars are usually printed to enable the measurements. This paper presents an approach to estimate the proportions directly in colour pictures without using any dedicated areas. The proportions—the average amount of C, M, Y, and K inks in the area of interest—are estimated from the CCD colour camera RGB (L*a*b*) values recorded from that area. The local kernel ridge regression and the support vector regression are combined for obtaining the desired mapping L*a*b* ⇒ CMYK, which can be multi-valued.     

Structural stability of ternary D8m–Ti5Sb2X (X=Al,Ga, In,Si, Ge,Sn) compounds

The crystal and electronic structures of Ti₅Sb₂X (X=Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn) ternary compounds in the Nb₅Sn₂Si-type structure (ternary-D8_m) have been investigated by means of first principles calculations. The calculated structural parameters are in good agreement with the experimental data. The total electronic densities of states as well as the Bader charges of the atoms have been computed. Both electronic and size effects allow to explain the stability of the Ti₅Sb₂X (X=Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn) ternary compounds in the ternary D8_m structure. The enthalpies of formation of the ternary D8_m compounds have been obtained. The off-stoichiometry domains of D8_m–Ti₅Sb₂Ga and D8_m–Ti₅Sb₂Si are discussed.     

CASA,WASA, and the dimensions of us

In this paper we replicate and extend the work of the Computers are Social Actors (CASA) researchers who repeatedly found evidence that humans treat computers with typical social norms as if they were humans. We performed a between-subjects 2 × 2 factorial experiment to test our hypotheses as well as an exploratory factor analysis to further refine and validate a construct which measures politeness. We retest the CASA hypothesis and found that our new hypothesis – Websites are Social Actors (WASA) reduces the CASA effect in contexts where individuals form a social attachment to websites instead of computers. We found evidence that suggests humans can exhibit politeness toward websites and literally (not virtually) treat them as social actors. Finally, we tease out the elements of politeness as a construct and identify the key items in the instrument for data reduction, and initiate efforts towards establishing reliability and construct validity. As we shall see, the results of an exploratory factor analysis are quite consistent to recent research in social cognition, and suggest that the politeness construct may be tapping similar and fundamental components of how humans engage with others in their social world.     

Restrictions, extensions, and variations of NLC grammars

This paper continues the basic research on node-label-controlled graph grammars (NLC grammars). In particular three topics are investigated quite thoroughly: (1) the role of the connection relation in an NLC grammar, (2) “context-freeness” of NLC grammars, and (3) the ability of NLC grammars to generate string languages.     

Justification logics, logics of knowledge, and conservativity

Several justification logics have been created, starting with the logic LP, (Artemov, Bull Symbolic Logic 7(1):1–36, 2001). These can be thought of as explicit versions of modal logics, or of logics of knowledge or belief, in which the unanalyzed necessity (knowledge, belief) operator has been replaced with a family of explicit justification terms. We begin by sketching the basics of justification logics and their relations with modal logics. Then we move to new material. Modal logics come in various strengths. For their corresponding justification logics, differing strength is reflected in different vocabularies. What we show here is that for justification logics corresponding to modal logics extending T, various familiar extensions are actually conservative with respect to each other. Our method of proof is very simple, and general enough to handle several justification logics not directly corresponding to distinct modal logics. Our methods do not, however, allow us to prove comparable results for justification logics corresponding to modal logics that do not extend T. That is, we are able to handle explicit logics of knowledge, but not explicit logics of belief. This remains open.