Efficient method for lossless LIDAR data compression

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) has become one of the prime technologies for rapid collection of vast spatial data, usually stored in a LAS file format (LIDAR data exchange format standard). In this article, a new method for lossless LIDAR LAS file compression is presented. The method applies three consequent steps: a predictive coding, a variable-length coding and an arithmetic coding. The key to the method is the prediction schema, where four different predictors are used: three predictors for x, y and z coordinates and a predictor for scalar values, associated with each LIDAR point. The method has been compared with the popular general-purpose methods and with a method developed specially for compressing LAS files. The proposed method turns out to be the most efficient in all test cases. On average, the LAS file is losslessly compressed to 12% of its original size.     

Application of Dynamic and Static Light Scattering for Size and Shape Characterization of Small Extracellular Nanoparticles in Plasma and Ascites of Ovarian Cancer Patients

In parallel to medical treatment of ovarian cancer, methods for the early detection of cancer tumors are being sought. In this contribution, the use of non-invasive static (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) for the characterization of extracellular nanoparticles (ENPs) in body fluids of advanced serous ovarian cancer (OC) and benign gynecological pathology (BP) patients is demonstrated and critically evaluated. Samples of plasma and ascites (OC patients) or plasma, peritoneal fluid, and peritoneal washing (BP patients) were analyzed. The hydrodynamic radius (R_h) and the radius of gyration (R_g) of ENPs were calculated from the angular dependency of LS intensity for two ENP subpopulations. R_h and R_g of the predominant ENP population of OC patients were in the range 20–30 nm (diameter 40–60 nm). In thawed samples, larger particles (R_h mostly above 100 nm) were detected as well. The shape parameter ρ of both particle populations was around 1, which is typical for spherical particles with mass concentrated on the rim, as in vesicles. The R_h and R_g of ENPs in BP patients were larger than in OC patients, with ρ ≈ 1.1–2, implying a more elongated/distorted shape. These results show that SLS and DLS are promising methods for the analysis of morphological features of ENPs and have the potential to discriminate between OC and BP patients. However, further development of the methodology is required.     

Die Wasserstoffabgabe von Eisen-Koblenstoff-Silicium-Legierungen im Vergleich mit Reineisen in der Vakuumsaugkokille

Probleme der Wasserstoffprobenahme aus Eisensehmelzen. Verwendung der Absolut-Vakuumsaugkokille zur Ermittlung des während der Erstarrung und Abkühlung aus der Probe austretenden Wasserstoffanteils im Vergleich zum Gesamtwasserstoffgehalt. Meßergebnisse. Erörterung.     

Schnellbestimmung von Wasserstoff in Metallen

Theoretische Betrachtungen zur Diffusion des Wasserstoffs in Eisenlegierungen bei höheren Temperaturen bis in den Bereich des Schmelzpunktes. Beschreibung von apparativen Einrichtungen zur Ermittlung der Extraktionskinetik des Wasserstoffs beim Schmelzpunkt. Meßergebnisse. Apparative Anordnung zur Wasserstoffschnellbestimmung.     

Auflösungskinetik von technischen Graphiten in Eisenschmelzen

Aufkohlungsuntersuchungen mit verschiedenen körnigen Graphiten und mit Siliciumcarbid in Eisenschmelzen. Auswirkung der Badbewegung auf die Auflösungsgeschwindigkeit des Graphits im Induktions- und Tammannofen bei 1400 °C. Ermittlung der Aktivierungsenergie des Kohlenstoffübergangs in die Eisenschmelze. Aufstellung einer Hypothese über das Entstehen von neuen ?inneren Flächen? durch Spaltbarkeit der graphithaltigen Stoffe im Verlauf des Auflösungsvorganges.     

Prediction of light gas distribution in experimental containment facilities using the CFX4 code

Two- and three-dimensional simulations of experiments on atmosphere mixing and stratification in a nuclear power plant containment were performed with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code CFX4.4. Experimental data were obtained from the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (France), where experiments on the TOSQAN facility were performed, and from Becker Technologies GmbH (Germany), where experiments on the ThAI facility were performed. The fluid inside the vessels was modeled as a single-phase gas atmosphere, and simple models for steam condensation on structures and in the atmosphere were introduced. The purpose was to assess the applicability of the CFD approach to simulate the behavior of light gases in containments at accident conditions. The comparisons of experimental and simulated results show that, despite a tendency to simulate more intensive mixing, the proposed approach may replicate the structure of the atmosphere reasonably well.     

Application of code scaling, applicability and uncertainty methodology to large break LOCA analysis of two loop PWR

In NED 119, No. 1 (May 1990) a series of six papers published by a Technical Program Group presented a new methodology for the safety evaluation of emergency core cooling systems in nuclear power plants. This paper describes the application of that new methodology to the LB LOCA analysis of the two loop Westinghouse power plant. Results of the original work were used wherever possible, so that the analysis was finished in less than one man year of work. Steam generator plugging level and safety injection flow rate were used as additional uncertainty parameters, which had not been used in the original work. The computer code RELAP5/MOD2 was used. Response surface was generated by the regression analysis and by the artificial neural network like Optimal Statistical Estimator method. Results were compared also to the analytical calculation.     

Analysis of Slovenian research community through bibliographic networks

Science is a societal process, designed on widely accepted general rules which facilitate its development. Productive researchers are viewed from the perspective of a social network of their interpersonal relations. In this paper we address performance of Slovenian research community using bibliographic networks between the years 1970 and 2015 from various aspects which determine prolific science. We focus on basic determinants of research performance including productivity, collaboration, internationality, and interdisciplinarity. For each of the determinants, we select a set of statistics and network measures to investigate the state of each in every year of the analyzed period. The analysis is based on high quality data from manually curated information systems. We interpret the results by relating them to important historical events impacting Slovenia and to domestic expenditure for research and development. Our results clearly demonstrate causal relations between the performance of research community and changes in wider society. Political and financial stability together with concise measuring of scientific productivity established soon after Slovenia won independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 had positive influence on all determinants. They were further leveraged by foundation of Slovenian research agency and joining EU and NATO. Publish and perish phenomenon, negative impacts of financial crisis in 2008–2014 and reshaping the domestic expenditure for research and development after 2008 have also clear response in scientific community. In the paper, we also study the researcher’s career productivity cycles and present the analysis of the career productivity for all registered researchers in Slovenia.