Estimation of covariance matrix from geochemical data with observations below detection limits

Multivariate statistical analyses have been extensively applied to geochemical measurements to analyze and aid interpretation of the data. Estimation of the covariance matrix of multivariate observations is the first task in multivariate analysis. However, geochemical data for the rare elements, especially Ag, Au, and platinum-group elements, usually contain observations the below detection limits. In particular, Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) for the rare elements produces multilevel and possibly extremely high detection limits depending on the sample weight. Traditionally, in applying multivariate analysis to such incomplete data, the observations below detection limits are first substituted, for example, each observation below the detection limit is replaced by a certain percentage of that limit, and then the standard statistical computer packages or techniques are used to obtain the analysis of the data. If a number of samples with observations below detection limits is small, or the detection limits are relatively near zero, the results may be reasonable and most geological interpretations or conclusions are probably valid. In this paper, a new method is proposed to estimate the covariance matrix from a dataset containing observations below multilevel detection limits by using the marginal maximum likelihood estimation (MMLE) method. For each pair of variables, sayY andZ whose observations containing below detection limits, the proposed method consists of three steps: (i) for each variable separately obtaining the marginal MLE for the means and the variances, , , , and forY andZ: (ii) defining new variables by and and lettingA=C+D andB=C–D, and obtaining MLE for variances, and forA andB; (iii) estimating the correlation coefficient _YZ by and the covariance _YZ by . The procedure is illustrated by using a precious metal geochemical data set from the Fox River Sill, Manitoba, Canada.     

Global climatic change – the latest scientific understanding

IPCCs statement in its 1995 report (IPCC 1996) that a human influence was discernible in global climate has been widely quoted but often misunderstood. The character of the evidence underpinning this detection statement is explained so that its strengths and weaknesses can be better understood and the subtleties of its message better appreciated. To demonstrate the close linkage between the government-approved summary and the underlying chapters of the IPCC report the detailed evolution of the detection statement from first draft through to the form finally approved by the IPCC is described.     

Cyclic palaeokarst surfaces in Aptian peritidal carbonate successions (Taurides, southwest Turkey): internal structure and response to mid-Aptian sea-level fall

The sedimentology and cyclic stratigraphy of palaeokarst structures in Aptian peritidal carbonate successions are interpreted using field and laboratory microfacies analyses of closely spaced samples from measured outcrop stratigraphic sections in southwest Turkey. Cycles displaying shallowing-upward metre-scale cyclicity are generally composed of lime mudstones/wackestones/packestones at the bottom and stromatolites or lime mudstones with charophytes and ostracods at the top. Subaerial exposure structures such as in situ karst breccias, dissolution vugs/pipes, mud cracks and sheet cracks are encountered at the top of the cycles. The presence of limestone layers between the successive karst breccia levels indicates that they are in situ palaeokarst structures, not recent karstifications or deep penetration from the upper palaeokarst surface down to the older strata. Palaeokarst breccia deposits are interpreted as mantling breccia formed as a result of epikarstification. Three main palaeokarst levels are recorded in nearly all sections. The sedimentology of the palaeokarst breccias, their position in cyclic peritidal carbonates and the biostratigraphic framework are used to trace the record of the global mid-Aptian sea-level fall in the southwest Taurides. The successive occurrences of three karst breccia levels close to the mid-Aptian sea-level fall correspond to falling periods of high-amplitude sea-level fluctuation within a late high-stand or early fall condition of a third-order sea level.     

圆形标志中心子像素定位方法的研究与实现

采用回光反射材料制作圆形回光反射标志，经摄影后得到标志的“准二值影像”；对标志的椭圆影像进行亚像素边缘提取，经最小二乘椭圆拟合后得到标志中心的子像素级位置。试验表明，可以达到0．02像素的定位精度。     

基于预测的边缘检测方法

提出了一种基于预测的、有一定自适应性的边缘检测方法。介绍了其原理和算法实现过程。通过计算两个相邻像素的灰度值的均值、均方差和梯度来预测下一个像素的灰度值，比较预测值和真实值来判断下一个像素是否是边界点。通过与现有同类算法的比较，证明了该算法的优越性。     

多时相组合分类法在土地利用动态监测中的应用

介绍了土地利用遥感动态监测的基本概念，简述了遥感土地利用变化信息提取等遥感监测方法．重点探讨了多时相组合分类方法的相关技术。对广西2002年和2003年两个时相的MODIS数据．采用多时相直接分类法对土地利用变化状况进行了遥感动态监测。对不同方式波段组合的试验表明。经过差值、比值处理的波段组合具有较差的试验效果(总体精度只有30％～40％)，而经过PCA变换的波段组合则具有相对较好的试验效果(总体精度超过70％)。     

隧道锚杆锚固质量无损检测技术

采用声波检测仪,应用声频应力波在不同波阻抗面反射的能量和相位的变化原理,对隧道的锚杆锚固质量进行了无损检测试验研究,并对检测技术进行了探讨.结果表明,作为一种工程质量管理辅助手段,采用应力波对锚杆锚固质量进行无损检测,丰富了隧道围岩锚固质量检测方法,为隧道工程建设提供更好的质量保障.     

基于DSM阴影仿真和高度场光线跟踪的影像阴影检测

介绍了一个建筑物阴影检测的模型。首先利用摄影测量学原理来计算阴影坐标。即用数字表面模型(digitalsurfacemodel,缩写为DSM)和太阳高度和方位来计算建筑物阴影的空间坐标,并由相机模型计算出每个阴影单元对应的扫描行和相机空间坐标。由高度场光线跟踪判断阴影的可见性,对可见阴影计算出它在投影图像上的坐标。然后在这个结果的基础上再对图像进行阴影的细分割。     

基于地表定量参数的沙漠化遥感监测方法

利用野外沙漠化调查的定位数据和ETM+ 遥感数据，在实验分析的基础上，探讨了沙漠化程度与地表参数之间的定量关系，即沙漠化与植被指数（NDVI）、地表辐射温度（LST）之间的关系，提出了综合反映沙漠化土地生物物理特征的遥感监测指数——沙漠化遥感监测差值指数（DDI），为沙漠化遥感监测提供有效的定量化方法。