Reliability‐based robust control for uncertain dynamical systems using feedback of incomplete noisy response measurements

A reliability‐based output feedback control methodology is presented for controlling the dynamic response of systems that are represented by linear state‐space models. The design criterion is based on a robust failure probability for the system. This criterion provides robustness for the controlled system by considering a probability distribution over a set of possible system models with a stochastic model of the excitation so that robust performance is expected. The control command signal can be calculated using incomplete response measurements at previous time steps without requiring state estimation. Examples of robust structural control using an active mass driver on a shear building model and on a benchmark structure are presented to illustrate the proposed method. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Validation of Galileo orbits using SLR with a focus on satellites launched into incorrect orbital planes

The space segment of the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Galileo consists of In-Orbit Validation (IOV) and Full Operational Capability (FOC) spacecraft. The first pair of FOC satellites was launched into an incorrect, highly eccentric orbital plane with a lower than nominal inclination angle. All Galileo satellites are equipped with satellite laser ranging (SLR) retroreflectors which allow, for example, for the assessment of the orbit quality or for the SLR–GNSS co-location in space. The number of SLR observations to Galileo satellites has been continuously increasing thanks to a series of intensive campaigns devoted to SLR tracking of GNSS satellites initiated by the International Laser Ranging Service. This paper assesses systematic effects and quality of Galileo orbits using SLR data with a main focus on Galileo satellites launched into incorrect orbits. We compare the SLR observations with respect to microwave-based Galileo orbits generated by the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) in the framework of the International GNSS Service Multi-GNSS Experiment for the period 2014.0–2016.5. We analyze the SLR signature effect, which is characterized by the dependency of SLR residuals with respect to various incidence angles of laser beams for stations equipped with single-photon and multi-photon detectors. Surprisingly, the CODE orbit quality of satellites in the incorrect orbital planes is not worse than that of nominal FOC and IOV orbits. The RMS of SLR residuals is even lower by 5.0 and 1.5 mm for satellites in the incorrect orbital planes than for FOC and IOV satellites, respectively. The mean SLR offsets equal \(-44.9, -35.0\), and \(-22.4\) mm for IOV, FOC, and satellites in the incorrect orbital plane. Finally, we found that the empirical orbit models, which were originally designed for precise orbit determination of GNSS satellites in circular orbits, provide fully appropriate results also for highly eccentric orbits with variable linear and angular velocities.     

Preliminary health risk assessment for polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans in seafood from Guangzhou and Zhoushan, China

Dietary intake is one of the important routes of human exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The use of PBDEs may also result in exposure to polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDDs/DFs), as these compounds are impurities in technical mixtures of BFRs and can also be formed unintentionally by the same processes that generate chlorinated dioxins. This study determined the concentrations of polybrominated compounds in common seafood in Guangzhou and Zhoushan, and assessed the health risks of these chemicals via consumption of contaminated seafood. Seafood samples (fish, bivalves, shrimp, crab, and cephalopods) purchased from local markets in 2003 and 2004 were analyzed for PBDEs and PBDDs/DFs. The highest concentration of total PBDEs (46.3 ng g⁻¹ lipid wt.) was detected in fish from Guangzhou, in which BDEs 47 and 209 were the two predominant congeners. The total daily intakes of PBDEs, PBDDs, and PBDFs were, 946, 6.39, and 6.54 pg kg⁻¹ body weight (bw) in Guangzhou, and 489, 4.99, and 7.65 pg kg⁻¹ bw in Zhoushan, respectively. The hazard ratios for PBDDs and PBDFs were both greater than unity, indicating that these compounds may pose some health risks to the local population.     

Changes in the radial growth of trees in relation to biogeomorphic processes in an old-growth forest on flysch,Czechia

Tree radial growth is influenced by individual tree abilities, climate, competition, disturbance regimes, as well as biogeomorphic processes – including biomechanical interactions between trees and soil. Trees are actively involved in hillslope dynamics, both responding to and affecting many (bio)geomorphic processes. Using dendrochronology, we studied feedbacks associated with tree–soil–landscape formation, specifically relationships between hillslope processes, biomechanical effects of trees in soils, tree microhabitat conditions and their morphological adaptations, in the flysch zone of the Carpathians. We visually evaluated stem shape, microhabitat conditions and the biomechanical effects of 1663 trees. Cores were taken in four growing directions from 224 individuals of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). In a set of 193 cross-dated beeches, average tree-ring widths and tree eccentricities in all directions were calculated and analysed in relation to the biogeomorphic impacts of trees. Some significant drivers of tree radial growth and sources of stem eccentricity were detected. The radial growth of trees on which deadwood was leaning was markedly limited. In contrast, trees with exposed roots expressed the highest growth rates. This clearly suggests that root exposure may not be an effect of ‘exogenous’ soil creep, but may rather result from individually intensifying tree growth due to fine-scale disturbance dynamics. The response of biomechanical tree–soil interactions in tree radial growth weakened with increasing stem diameter, reflecting the stabilizing role of larger trees. The significance of calendar year on radial growth suggests seasonality in the dynamic component of soil creep. Tree eccentricity was observed mainly in the downslope direction, which suggests a relatively complex effect of biomechanics on stem tilting. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于NSCT的立体影像匹配相似性测度计算

目的 提出了一种新的基于非下采样Contourlet变换(NonsubsampledContourletTransform,NSCT)的加权相似性测度计算方法。首先对立体像对中的左右影像分别进行NSCT变换,以得到左右影像的不同尺度、不同方向的高频子带系数;再利用影像的高频子带系数和RGB三个通道的灰度值,设计了目标窗口和搜索窗口的加权相似性测度计算模型;最后,利用标准立体影像数据,对相似性测度和归一化相关系数等已有测度进行了对比实验。结果表明NSCT的高频系数的引入,增强了相似性测度的稳健性,提高了立体影像匹配的可靠性。     

基于多像对的近景摄影测量相机对标定

本文利用共线方程进行线性变换与非线性变换的方法实现非量测型相机标定,分三步求解相机内方位元素、透镜畸变参数、外方位元素,再利用解析相对定向方法进行固定相机对的相对模型参数的标定。利用多像对相对定向得到与绝对模型大小一致的立体模型,在求解地物尺寸大小这类不需要坐标数据的应用上非常有效。     

多站拼接后三维激光扫描点云的消冗处理

针对多站地面激光扫描数据拼接后在扫描重叠区内的重复采样点带来数据冗余的问题,提出一种在不降低原始扫描采样密度的前提下,对冗余点云进行消冗处理的方法。该方法首先对拼接后的点云建立立方体格网索引,再对所有采样点按k邻-近结构进行组织,然后在k-邻近组织的数据中进行遍历,依据采样点间距是否小于给定的阈值确定是否删除某一采样点。对多站扫描的建筑物点云拼接数据进行消冗处理,验证了本方案的有效性。     

Mortality risk of a future heat event across a subtropical city: implications for community planning and health policy

Natural Hazards - In this study, we applied the Weather Research and Forecasting model to project 2050 urban and rural temperature. We applied a time-stratified analysis to compare it with...     

Trait complementarity between fine roots of Stipa purpurea and their associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi along a precipitation gradient in Tibetan alpine steppe

Development of fine roots and formation of symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM) fungi represent two strategies for plants to acquire nutrient and water from soil. Here, we elucidated how fine root development and symbolized mycorrhizal fungi with Stipa purpurea responded to the precipitation change in Tibetan alpine steppe ecosystem across a precipitation gradient from 50 mm to 400 mm. As precipitation increased, the proportion of thinner fine roots(diameter 0.4 mm) in total roots increased significantly; while the mycorrhizal colonization percentage, either associated with thinner or thicker roots, decreased. This phenomenon indicated that fine root development and symbolized mycorrhizal fungi are likely alternative, and plant preferred to develop fine root rather than build a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi in more benign niches with higher precipitation. Also, root diameter was negatively correlated with specific root length(SRL), but positively correlated with AM fungal colonization percentage, indicating thicker-root species rely more on mycorrhizal fungi in alpine steppe. The complementarity between fine root and mycorrhizal fungi of S. purpurea is mediated by precipitation in Tibetan alpine steppe.     

Lessons learnt from Typhoons Fitow and In-Fa: implications for improving urban flood resilience in Asian Coastal Cities

Natural Hazards - Frequent typhoons significantly affect many coastal cities via intensive rainstorms, tidal surges and strong wind. Natural factors induced by human disturbance such as climate...