Assessment of empirical algorithms for bathymetry extraction using Sentinel-2 data

Bathymetry estimated from optical satellite imagery has been increasingly implemented as an alternative to traditional bathymetric survey techniques. The availability of new sensors such as Sentinel-2 with improved spatial and temporal resolution, in comparison with previous optical sensors, offers innovative capabilities for bathymetry derivation. This study presents an assessment of the fit between satellite data and the underlying models in the most widely used empirical algorithms: the linear band model and the log-transformed band ratio model using Sentinel-2A data. Both models were tested in two study areas of the Irish coast with different morphological and environmental conditions. Results showed that the linear band model fitted better than the log-transformed band ratio model providing coefficient of determination values, R², between 0.83 and 0.88 (0 m–10 m) for the five images considered in the study. The closest fit was found in the depth range 2 m–6 m. Atmospheric correction, bottom type influence, and water column conditions proved to be key factors in the bathymetric derivation using these satellite datasets.     

The effect of air temperature, velocity and visual lean (VL) composition on the tempering times of frozen boneless beef blocks

Beef blocks of two compositions, 100% and 50% visual lean (VL), in standard commercial packaging with nominal dimensions of 510 × 390 × 150 mm were tempered from −18 °C to −3 °C using air at temperatures from 3 °C to −3 °C and velocities of 0.5 and 5 ms⁻¹. These conditions were then modelled using a finite difference mathematical model and the accuracy of the model assessed by comparison with the experimental results. An extended range of conditions (including an intermediate air velocity of 2 ms⁻¹ and an intermediate composition of 75% VL) was then modelled to produce data that can be used to design tempering processes.

The results show that single stage air tempering of even single blocks within their cartons needs to be a long process. In air at 3 °C and 5 ms⁻¹, blocks of 50% VL rose to deep temperatures of −10 °C and −3 °C after 4.0 and 22.5 h, respectively, while with 100% VL 4.6 and 27.3 h were required. Under these conditions, the surface layers of the meat would have spent many hours in a thawed condition that would be detrimental to both drip and optimal processing. Using lower temperatures avoids thawing and at the same time produces an optimum temperature difference for subsequent processing. However, tempering times are substantially extended. For example, times to the above temperatures using air at −1 °C and 5 ms⁻¹ were 4.8 and 37.5 h for 50% VL and 5.1 and 44.5 h for 100% VL.     

Hot boning of intact carcasses: a procedure to avoid central nervous system self-contamination in beef and beef products

Compared with traditional boning of split refrigerated carcasses, hot boning of intact carcasses (the removal of meat from the skeleton prerigor) provides several commercially important cuts, may improve quality and reduce refrigeration costs, and may reduce the contamination of carcasses with central nervous system (CNS) tissue. In a comparative study of hot boning of intact and split carcasses, the CNS tissue contamination of intact carcasses was negligible (as measured with the CNS-related proteins glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 protein), but split carcasses were highly contaminated. The same trends were observed for dissection worktables used during the boning process. Most current boning plants have processing lines that are organized for boning carcass quarters, where the carcasses, in addition to transversal division, also are split horizontally. This part of the boning process was incorporated in the design of our study. Nine of the 18 intact carcasses were split horizontally between thoracic vertebrae 10 and 11 before they were hot boned. CNS tissue contamination was not detected on the carcass site related to this procedure. The amount of CNS tissue contamination was similar in boned cuts and minced meat from split and intact carcasses, except in the forerib. Boning of split carcasses appears to reduce CNS tissue contamination significantly to a level comparable to that of intact hot-boned carcasses.     

The accuracy of self-monitoring and its relationship to self-focused attention in dysphoria and clinical depression.

The accuracy with which dysphoric (Study 1) and clinically depressed (Study 2) individuals make self-regulatory judgments about their own performance in the absence of external feedback and the extent to which this relates to trait self-focused attention (SFA) were examined. Relative to objective criteria, both dysphoric and depressed participants showed a positive judgment bias, overestimating the number of trials they had performed correctly. Relative to control participants, the dysphoric and depressed groups showed a reduction in the extent of this positive bias in that they judged error trials more accurately and correct trials less accurately. Although the dysphoric and depressed groups both reported elevated trait SFA, this did not correlate significantly with accuracy of self-judgment on the performance-monitoring task. Implications for self-regulation models of depression are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Yttrium incorporation in Cr2AlC: On the metastable phase formation and decomposition of (Cr,Y)2AlC MAX phase thin films

Herein we report on the synthesis of a metastable (Cr,Y)₂AlC MAX phase solid solution by co-sputtering from a composite Cr–Al–C and elemental Y target, at room temperature, followed by annealing. However, direct high-temperature synthesis resulted in multiphase films, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction analyses, room-temperature depositions, followed by annealing to 760°C led to the formation of phase pure (Cr,Y)₂AlC by diffusion. Higher annealing temperatures caused a decomposition of the metastable phase into Cr₂AlC, Y₅Al₃, and Cr-carbides. In contrast to pure Cr₂AlC, the Y-containing phase crystallizes directly in the MAX phase structure instead of first forming a disordered solid solution. Furthermore, the crystallization temperature was shown to be Y-content dependent and was increased by ∼200°C for 5 at.% Y compared to Cr₂AlC. Calculations predicting the metastable phase formation of (Cr,Y)₂AlC and its decomposition are in excellent agreement with the experimental findings.     

Contact lens profile: A tale of two countries

Introduction

This study investigated the modality, type and duration of contact lens wear as well as compliance and hygiene related issues (hand and case hygiene, use of tap water, dozing and overnight wear) in the UK and Germany. Questionnaires were collected anonymously from 417 UK and 767 German patients attending optometric practices for contact lens appointments. It is the seventh of a series of contact lens wearer profiles conducted since 2000.

Results

The proportion of rigid gas permeable lenses worn was significantly higher at 55.4% in Germany, compared to 16.1% in the UK. Overall, a significantly larger proportion of German participants used tap water to rinse their lenses and cases (P < 0.001). Also, German respondents changed their lens cases less frequently (p < 0.001). Fewer UK than German respondents stated they washed their hands before lens insertion (p = 0.009), removal (p = 0.01), before eating (p < 0.001). German participants were less likely to wash their hands before preparing food (p = 0.042) and after using the toilet (p = 0.002). The two sample groups differed significantly regarding the care regimens they used for their CLs (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The differences between Germany and the UK highlighted in this study were caused by differences in legal regulations, plumbing and practitioners’ guidance. Although many of the questions relating to hygiene differed statistically between the two participating sample groups, the absolute differences in figures were not considered to be large.     

Homology Model Adjustment and Ligand Screening with a Pseudoreceptor of the Human Histamine H4 Receptor

A new pseudoreceptor modeling method (PRPS) was applied to the refinement of a homology model of the human histamine H₄ receptor (H₄R), the prediction of a ligand binding site, and virtual screening. Retrieval of two new H₄R ligands demonstrates the biological relevance of the pseudoreceptor model and provides a means for finding new hits and leads in the early phases of drug discovery.

     

Effects of Radiographic Contrast Media on the Micromorphology of the Junctional Complex of Erythrocytes Visualized by Immunocytology

Effects of radiographic contrast media (RCM) application were demonstrated in vitro and in vivo where the injection of RCM into the A. axillaris of patients with coronary artery disease was followed by a significant and RCM-dependent decrease of erythrocyte velocity in downstream skin capillaries. Another study in pigs revealed that the deceleration of erythrocytes coincided with a significant reduction of the oxygen partial pressure in the myocardium—supplied by the left coronary artery—after the administration of RCM into this artery. Further reports showed RCM dependent alterations of erythrocytes like echinocyte formation and exocytosis, sequestration of actin or band 3 and the buckling of endothelial cells coinciding with a formation of interendothelial fenestrations leading to areas devoid of endothelial cells. Key to morphological alterations of erythrocytes is the membrane cytoskeleton, which is linked to the band 3 in the erythrocyte membrane via the junctional complex. Fundamental observations regarding the cell biological and biochemical aspects of the structure and function of the cell membrane and the membrane cytoskeleton of erythrocytes have been reported. This review focuses on recent results gained, e.g., by advanced confocal laser scanning microscopy of different double-stained structural elements of the erythrocyte membrane cytoskeleton.     

Energy efficient model predictive building temperature control

Many systems used in buildings for heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning waste energy because of the way they are operated or controlled. This paper explores the application of model predictive control (MPC) to air-conditioning units and demonstrates that the closed-loop performance and energy efficiency can be improved over conventional approaches. This work focuses on the problem of controlling the vapor compression cycle (VCC) in an air-conditioning system, containing refrigerant which is used to provide cooling. The VCC considered in this work has two manipulated variables that affect operation: compressor speed and the position of an electronic expansion valve. The system is subject to constraints, such as the range of permissible superheat, and also needs to regulate temperature variables to set points. An MPC strategy is developed for this type of system based on linear models identified from data obtained from a first-principles model of the VCC. The MPC strategy incorporates economic measures in the objective function as well as control objectives. Tests are carried out on a simulated VCC system that is linked to a simulation of a realistic building that is developed in the U.S. Department of Energy Computer Simulation Program, EnergyPlus. The MPC demonstrated significantly better tracking control relative to conventional approaches (a reduction of 70% in terms of the integral of squared error for step changes in the temperature set-point), while reducing the VCC energy requirements by 16%. The paper describes the control approach in detail and presents results from the tests.