Endmember orthonormal mapping in hyperspectral mixture analysis to address endmember variability

Spectral unmixing estimates the abundance of each endmember at every pixel of a hyperspectral image. Each material in traditional unmixing algorithms is represented through a constant spectral signature. However, endmember variability always exists due to environmental, atmospheric, and temporal conditions, which leads to poor accuracy of the estimated abundances. This paper proposes a new unmixing algorithm based on a new linear transformation called endmember orthonormal mapping (EOM) to overcome the aforementioned problem. The EOM transformation maps original spectral space to a new EOM space to reduce endmember variability. In the original spectral space, each material is represented by a set of spectra (endmember set) which is extracted using the automated endmember bundles (AEB) method. The EOM transforms each endmember set to a vector in the EOM space so that these vectors are orthonormal. On account of orthonormalized endmembers, the condition number of the mixing matrix in the EOM space reduces. Furthermore, we consider the noise term as an additional virtual endmember set mapped to a vector that is orthogonal to other endmembers. As a result, a promising unmixing accuracy is obtained through applying the least squares abundance estimation in the subspace orthogonal to noise. Experimental results of both synthetic and real hyperspectral images demonstrate that the proposed algorithms provide much enhanced performance compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms.     

Design of Initial Shotcrete Lining for a Mine Shaft Using Two-Dimensional Finite Element Models Considering Excavation Advance Rate

Geotechnical and Geological Engineering - Shotcrete is widely used as a temporary support element in the construction of underground mine excavations, tunnels, and shafts. It is sprayed on the...     

Developing an algorithm for reconstruction blocky systems in discontinuous media: three‐dimensional analysis

Block detection is one of the important steps in all discontinuous methods of analysis such as discontinuous deformation analysis and discrete element method. It is in fact a pre‐processing step for these methods. This paper describes a new approach to the problem of geometrically defining polyhedral rock blocks created by the intersection of planar discontinuities in a rock mass. An approach is developed based on the concept of using matrices with integer elements that mostly represent vertices, edges, or face numbers and their connections. Using square matrices with integer elements and performing edge/face regularization reduce the size of the matrices because of elimination of unnecessary faces, edges, and vertices; speed and accuracy of block tracing operation will be increased. This algorithm is able to trace and identify all kinds of blocks including convex and concave blocks formed by limited or unlimited fractures. The simplicity of the procedure makes it very attractive. The algorithm was programmed in C#.Net by over 8100 code lines; several examples are presented to show application of the algorithm in different situations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

U–Pb and Hf isotope data from zircons in the Macquarie Arc,Lachlan Orogen: Implications for arc evolution and Ordovician palaeogeography along part of the east Gondwana margin

The Ordovician Macquarie Arc in the eastern subprovince of the Lachlan Orogen, southeastern Australia, is an unusual arc that evolved in four vertically stacked volcanic phases over ~ 37 million years, and which is flanked by coeval, craton-derived, passive margin sedimentary terranes dominated by detrital quartz grains. Although these two terranes are marked by a general absence of provenance mixing, LA-ICPMS analysis of U–Pb and Lu–Hf contents in zircon grains in volcaniclastic rocks from 3 phases of the arc demonstrates the same age populations of detrital grains inherited from the Gondwana margin as those that characterise the flanking quartz-rich Ordovician turbidites. Magmatic Phase 1 is older, ~ 480 Ma, and is characterised by detrital zircons grains with ages of ~ 490–540 with negative ε_Hf from 0 to mainly –7.78, 550–625 Ma ages with negative ε_Hf from 0 to ?26.6 and 970–1250 Ma (Grenvillian) with ε_Hf from + 6.47 to ?6.44. We have not as yet identified any magmatic zircons related to Phase 1 volcanism. Small amounts of detrital zircons also occur in Phase 2 (~ 468–455 Ma), hiatus 1 and Phase 4 (~ 449–443 Ma), all of which are dominated by Ordovician magmatic zircons with positive ε_Hf values, indicating derivation from unevolved mantle-derived magmas, consistent with formation in an intraoceanic island arc. Because of the previously obtained positive whole rock ε_Nd values from Phase 1 lavas, we rule out contamination from substrate or subducted sediments. Instead, we suggest that during Phase 1, the Macquarie Arc lay close enough to the Gondwana margin so that volcaniclastic rocks were heavily contaminated by detrital zircon grains shed from granites and Grenvillian mafic rocks mainly from Antarctica (Ross Orogen and East Antarctica) and/or the Delamerian margin of Australia. The reduced nature of a Gondwana population in Phase 2, hiatus 1 and Phase 4 is attributed to opening of a marginal basin between the Gondwana margin and the Macquarie Arc that put it out of reach of all but rare turbiditic currents.     

Assessment of noise induced psychological stresses on printery workers

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between psychological stresses and noise stresses on printery workers in Tehran, Iran. Hence, 267 workers were randomly selected. The L_eq and L_maxwere measured and the psychological stresses such as depression, anxiety, aggression and job satisfaction were also studied by the relevant questionnaires. The data were statistically analyzed by Pearson correlation test. The results demonstrated that there was no significant statistical relationship between noise and psychological stresses. In addition, by using Spearman regression method, the influence of variables such as age, gender and job history on psychological stresses caused by L_eq and L_max was studied and the results only revealed that the aggression caused by L_eq increased in young personnel (P=0.02) as well as, anxiety caused by L increased accompanied by increasing the job history and age of the workers (P=0.002 and P=0.007). Therefore, more variables must be taken into consideration to judge about noise induced psychological stresses in workplaces.     

Universe with Time Dependent Deceleration Parameter and Λ Term in General Relativity

A new class of exact solutions of Einstein's field equations with perfect fluid for an LRS Bianchi type-I spacetime is obtained by using a time dependent deceleration parameter. We have obtained a general solution of the field equations from which three models of the universe are derived: exponential, polynomial and sinusoidal form respectively. The behaviour of these models of the universe are also discussed in the frame of reference of recent supernovae Ia observations.     

Heterogeneous C<Subscript>16</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript> nanocluster as a selective CO/NO nanosensor: computational investigation

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the effects of adsorption of toxic carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen monoxide (NO) molecules on heterogeneous C₁₆Zn₈O₈ nanocage. A detailed analysis of the energetic, geometry, and electronic structure of various CO and NO adsorptions on the cluster surface was performed. It has been shown that CO molecule was adsorbed on the surface of the cluster resulting in more stable complex system, while NO molecule adsorption led to less stable system. These processes also changed the electronic properties of the cluster by reducing the HOMO/LUMO energy gap after adsorption process. Since this phenomenon led to an increment in the electrical conductivity of the cluster at a definite temperature, the C₁₆Zn₈O₈ was transformed to a stronger semiconductor substance upon the CO and NO adsorption. We believe that this research may be helpful in the several fields study such as sensor and catalyst investigation.     

Natural and human-induced sinkhole hazards in Saudi Arabia: distribution,investigation, causes and impacts

Approximately 60 % of the 2,150,000 km² area of Saudi Arabia is underlain by soluble sediments (carbonate and evaporite rock formations, salt diapirs, sabkha deposits). Despite its hyper-arid climate, a wide variety of recent sinkholes have been reported in numerous areas, involving significant property losses. Human activities, most notably groundwater extraction, have induced unstable conditions on pre-existing cavities. This work provides an overview of the sinkhole hazard in Saudi Arabia, a scarcely explored topic. It identifies the main karst formations and the distribution of the most problematic sinkhole areas, illustrated through several case studies covering the wide spectrum of subsidence mechanisms. Some of the main investigation methods are presented through selected examples, including remote sensing, trenching and geophysics. Based on the available data, the main causal factors are identified and further actions that should be undertaken to better assess and manage the risk are discussed.