A new model for automatic normalization of multitemporal satellite images using Artificial Neural Network and mathematical methods

Relative Radiometric Normalization is often required in remote sensing image analyses particularly in the land cover change detection process. Normalization process minimizes the radiometric differences between two images caused by inequalities in the acquisition conditions rather than changes in surface reflectance. A wide range of RRN methods have been developed to adjust linear models. This paper proposes an automated Relative Radiometric Normalization (RRN) method to adjust a non-linear model based on an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and unchanged pixels. The proposed method includes the following stages: (1) automatic detection of unchanged pixels based on a new idea that uses CVA (Change Vector Análysis) method, PCA (Principal Component Analysis) transformation and K-means clustering technique, (2) evaluation of different architectures of perceptron neural networks to find the best architecture for this specific task and (3) use of the aforementioned network for normalizing the subject image. The method has been implemented on two images taken by the TM sensor. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the presented technique in the automatic detection of unchanged pixels and minimizing imaging condition effects (i.e., atmosphere and other effective parameters).     

Low-Field NMR Relaxation Analysis of High-Pressure Ethane Adsorption in Mesoporous Silicas

Understanding the behaviour of short-chain hydrocarbons confined to porous solids informs the targeted extraction of natural resources from geological features, and underpins rational developments in separation, storage and catalytic conversion processes. Herein, we report the application of low-field (12.7 MHz) ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation measurements to characterise ethane dynamics within mesoporous silica materials exhibiting mean pore diameters between 6 and 50 nm. Our measurements provide NMR-based adsorption isotherms within the range 25–50 bar and at ambient temperature, incorporating the ethane condensation point (40.7 bar at our experimental temperature of 23.6 °C). The quantitative nature of the acquired data is validated via a direct comparison of NMR-derived excess adsorption capacities with ex situ gravimetric ethane adsorption measurements, which are demonstrated to agree to within 0.2 mmol g⁻¹ of the observed ethane capacity. NMR relaxation time distributions are further demonstrated as a means to decouple interparticle and mesopore dominated adsorption phenomena, with unexpectedly rapid relaxation rates associated with interparticle ethane gas confirmed via a direct comparison with NMR self-diffusion analysis.     

Synthesis and Photochemistry of Novel 3,5-Diacetyl-1,4-dihydropyridines

 Some novel 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives were synthesized; their photochemical behaviour was studied under oxygen or argon atmosphere. Irradiation of these compounds resulted in the aromatization of the ring and formation of 3,5-diacetylpyridine derivatives. The presence of oxygen plays an important role in the type, rate, or failure of oxidation. Irradiation of these compounds with of 2-furyl or 5-methyl-2-furyl substituents in position 4 under argon resulted in the formation of a pyridine ring with retention of these substituents, whereas loss of these substituents and ring aromatization was observed upon irradiation under oxygen.     

Extension of the electrolyte NRTL and Wilson models for correlation of viscosity of strong electrolyte solutions at different temperatures

The electrolyte NRTL model [C.C. Chen, L.B. Evans, AIChE J. 32 (1986) 444–454] and electrolyte Wilson model [E. Zhao, M. Yu, R.E. Sauvé, M. Khoshkbarchi, Fluid Phase Equilibr. 173 (2000) 161–175] have been extended for the representation of the dynamic viscosity of strong electrolyte solutions. The models are based on Eyring's absolute rate theory and the electrolyte NRTL and Wilson models for calculating the excess Gibbs energy of activation of the viscous flow. The utility of the models is demonstrated with a successful representation of the viscosity of several electrolyte solutions at different temperatures. The results show that, the model is valid for the whole range of salt concentration and it is reliable for correlation of the viscosity of electrolyte solutions at different temperatures by only four adjustable parameters per binary system.     

Experimental transition probabilities of some Xe(I) lines

Using the light absorption technique in a ¹³²Xe afterglow plasma, we have measured the relative transition probabilities for several xenon lines which have the metastable 6s[$\text{3}\text{2}$]₂ or the resonant 6s[$\text{3}\text{2}$]₁ states as their lowest transition level. Because the transition probabilities of the 8819 Å (6p[$\text{5}\text{2}$]₃ ? 6s[$\text{3}\text{2}$]²) and 8280 Å (6p[$\text{1}\text{2}$]₀ ? 6s[$\text{3}\text{2}$]₁) lines are relatively well known, we have chosen these as reference lines and have thus been able to determine the absolute values of the transition probabilities for 19 xenon lines corresponding to transitions from 6p, 6p′, 7p, 8p, 9p, 4f and 5f to 6s[$\text{3}\text{2}$]₂, and for four lines corresponding to the transitions 6p?6s[$\text{3}\text{2}$]₁.     

Symmetry constraints in energy transfer between state-selected Ar*(3P2, 3P0) metastable atoms and ground state H atoms

The excitation-transfer reaction in thermal energy collisions of state-selected metastable Ar*(³P₂) and Ar*(³P₀) atoms with ground state H atoms, giving excited H*(n = 2) atoms, has been studied with the stationary afterglow technique. The rate constant for the excitation of H atoms by Ar*(³P₂) has been found to be more than one order of magnitude larger than in excitation by Ar*(³P₀). This difference in the reactivity of two metastable species is explained to be a consequence of the attractive nature of the D(²II) and E(²Σ⁺) potentials that develop from the Ar*(³P₂)+H entrance channel and which give curve crossing with the B(²II) and C(²Σ⁺ potentials, respectively, leading to the Ar+H*(n=2) exit channel, whereas only a repulsive ⁴II (Ω=$\text{1}\text{2}$) potential develops from the Ar*(³P₀+H entrance channel.     

Triton Photodisintegration with Effective Field Theory

Effective field theory (EFT) has been recently used for the calculation of neutron–deuteron radiative capture at very low energies. We present here the use of EFT to calculate the two-body photodisintegration of the triton, considering the three-body force. The calculated cross section shows sharp rising from threshold to maximum about 0.88 mb at ~13 MeV and decreasing slightly to about 0.81 mb at ~19 MeV, in agreement with the experimental data. Our results are in good agreement with the experimental data and the other calculations using modern realistic two- and three-nucleon forces, like AV18/UrbanaIX potential.     

Effect of gas-induced semisolid process on solidification parameters and dendrite coherency point of Al–4.3Cu alloy using thermal analysis

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Semisolid processing of Al–4.3%Cu (A206) alloy was carried out using gas-induced semisolid (GISS) process in different conditions. The flow rate...     

Thermal performance investigation of DQW GaInNAs laser diodes

In this work, we optimize the thermal performance of a double quantum well GaInNAs ridge waveguide laser using an accurate in-house 2D electro-opto-thermal laser simulator. The simulator has shown good agreement with experiments after a detailed calibration procedure. Using calibrated material parameters, we investigate the influence of the cladding doping level on the heat generation within the laser. It is found that due to the competition between Joule heating and free carrier absorption, an optimum cladding doping level exists.