Beyond maximum entropy: Fractal pixon-based image reconstruction

We have developed a new Bayesian image reconstruction method that has been shown to be superior to the best implementations of other methods, including Goodnessof-Fit (e.g. Least-Squares and Lucy-Richardson) and Maximum Entropy (ME). Our new method is based on the concept of the pixon, the fundamental, indivisible unit of picture information. Use of the pixon concept provides an improved image model, resulting in an image prior which is superior to that of standard ME.     

Single multipurpose reservoir design: a modified optimal control problem by chance-constrained programming

This paper presents a chance-constrained programming model for optimal control of a multipurpose reservoir and its modification to a model for single reservoir design. An algorithm is developed for solving complex stochastic problems of multipurpose reservoir planning and design. The complexity of the problem is resolved by a two-step algorithm: (1) transformation of chance constraints on the state and control variables is performed at the first step; and (2) the choice of optimum control or optimal reservoir storage is carried out in the second step. The method of iterative convolution is chosen for the first step, while linear programming is selected for the second step. The algorithm allows the use of random inflows and random demands together with other deterministic demands. The reservoir design problem is presented as a modified optimal control problem. The procedure is illustrated with an example of a hypothetical reservoir design problem with three different types of downstream releases (hydropower production, municipal water supply, and irrigation).     

Early Paleozoic orogeny in southern South America

In northwest Argentina, weakly metamorphic clastic and calcareous sedimentary rocks of latest Precambrian to Lower Cambrian age (Puncoviscana Formation and related units) contain an abundant ichnofauna of both chronostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental value. In the western and central Sierras Pampeanas, metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks are considered to form part of the same geotectonic unit. This “Pampean orogenic cycle” includes geosynclinal sedimentation of latest Precambrian to Lower Cambrian age, as well as magmatism, metamorphism and deformation of Middle to Upper Cambrian age, documented by an angular unconformity below the Upper Cambrian to Devonian rocks of the “Famatinian orogenic cycle”. In some of the metamorphic rocks of the Pampean Cycle a pre-Ordovician folding is also distinguished from a later tectonic overprinting. Hence, the concept of a Pampean cycle differs from other concepts of late Precambrian orogenic cycles of South America which are only defined by radiometric ages. The Pampean orogenesis may be compared with the Ross orogenesis of the Transantarctic Mts., the Tyennan orogenesis of Australia and some of the deformation phases of the Damara orogen in Namibia.     

A warning model based on temporal changes of coda Q for volcanic activity at Nevado Del Ruiz Volcano, Colombia

The coda Q has been calculated for Nevado del Ruiz Volcano, Colombia (NRV) from 1985 to 1999 by using a single scattering model. During this period, the inverse of Q (Q^-1 proportional to attenuation) exhibited a long-term decrease with time, as well as shorter-term variations related to the volcanic activity. Q^-1 increased prior to volcanic crises and decreased afterward. Based on these observations, a seismic warning criterion has been developed. The parameters (frequency band, size of moving average window, and threshold levels) necessary to evidence clear and significant short-term changes in Q^-1 have been investigated and appropriated values are proposed. We suggest a phenomenological model with three stages for the short-term temporal changes in Q^-1 at NRV. Firstly, Q^-1 increases before a volcanic crises because of accumulation of gas and/or liquid, which decreases the aspect ratio of fluid pockets and increases the fractional volume of fluid in the rocks and the pore aspect ratio. Secondly, Q^-1 starts to decrease during the crises by the discharging of fluids such as gas, water, etc. from the volcano. Finally, Q^-1 becomes more stable after the crisis at a lower value because of the degassing and/or increasing of rigidity of the medium because of the long-term crystallization and cooling processes. Q^-1 seems to be a promising monitoring tool at NRV. It is possible that the observed temporal changes of Q^-1, combined with other parameters, may help to predict with greater accuracy a volcanic crisis at NRV.     

Morphometric relationships of penaeid shrimps in a coastal lagoon: Spatio-temporal variability and management implications

Spatio-temporal variability in the length-weight relationship of four sympatric shrimp species (Farfantepeneus aztecus, F. brasiliensis, F. duorarum, andF. notialis) was evaluated in the Celestun lagoon, Mexico. Monthly samples were taken throughout 2 yr in three hydrological zones (seaward, middle, and inner) and climatic seasons (Nortes, Dry, and Rainy). Significant intraspecific and interspecific differences in the length-weight relationships were detected among climatic seasons and hydrological zones, reflecting positive allometric growth.F. notialis registered the highest condition (weight at length), followed byF. duorarum, F. aztecus, andF. brasiliensis. The lowest values in condition were consistently registered during Nortes and at the seaward zone. All species showed a pattern consistent with a density-dependent effect on condition, that is a negative correlation between individual mean weight and total relative abundance. The immediate implication for managing this important multispecific coastal artisanal resource that is supported by our study is the restriction of fishing effort in the seaward zone, mainly during the Nortes seasons.     

Assessment and Modelling of Lava Flow Hazard on Lanzarote (Canary Islands)

This paper presents an evaluation of the lava flowhazard on Lanzarote (Canary Islands) by means of aprobabilistic maximum slope model. This model assumesthat the topography plays the major role indetermining the path that a lava flow will follow. Thearea selected for containing future emission centreshas been chosen taking into account thecharacteristics of the recent eruptive activity andthe present activity of the island. The results of thesimulations constitute hazard maps whose values ateach point represent the probability of being coveredby lava. These results are qualitatively analysed toprovide some indication of the risk to the lifelines(electricity, drinking water etc.) of the island.     

Fractal analysis of climatic data: Annual precipitation records in Spain

Summary The rescaled range analysis was applied to the annual precipitation series from 10 weather stations in Spain for the period 1901–1989. The analysis reveals that the series of precipitations fits a fractal distribution, with a mean fractal dimension of 1.32 ± 0.01. This lies in the same order of magnitude as the fractal dimensions obtained from other macrometeorological and paleoclimatic registers. The favourable comparison between fractal dimensions of the variables on both small time scales and long-term time spans suggests that such values are characteristic of climatic change over the spectral range of 10 to 10⁶ years. The results contribute to the establishment of this assumption as a valid hypothesis for the interpolation of climatic change from one scale to the next, and also in applications such as hydrological design.With 2 Figures     

Geological development and mineralization in the Atacama segment of the South American Andes,northern Chile (26°15′–27°25′S)

Between the Late Jurassic and the Middle Miocene, widespread magmatism, tectonic events and hydrothermal mineralization characterized the geological evolution of the Atacama segment of the South American Andes. A characteristic feature of this zone is the coincidence in time and space between subduction-generated igneous activity, crustal deformation and mineralization in the magmatic arcs, which formed longitudinal belts migrating eastward.Mineralization in the last 140 Ma is generally restricted to four longitudinal metallogenic belts, in which hydrothermal activity was channelled along crustal-scale faults (1) the Atacama Fault System, along which Early Cretaceous Cu-Au-bearing breccia pipes, veins and stockwork were formed; (2) the Inca do Oro Belt, which contains Upper Cretaceous low sulphur precious metal epithermal mineralization, and Middle Eocene Cu-Mo-Au-bearing breccia pipes; (3) the West Fissure System, which hosts Upper Eocene to Early Oligocene porphyry copper deposits and high sulphur precious metal epithermal mineralization; and (4) the Maricunga Belt, when contains Upper Oligocene to Middle Miocene high sulphur precious metal epithermal deposits and Au-rich porphyry mineralization.