A simulation of remote sensor systems and data processing algorithms for spectral feature classification

A computational model of the deterministic and stochastic processes involved in multispectral remote sensing was designed to evaluate the performance of sensor systems and data processing algorithms for spectral feature classification. Accuracy in distinguishing between categories of surfaces or between specific types is developed as a means to compare sensor systems and data processing algorithms. The model allows studies to be made of the effects of variability of the atmosphere and of surface reflectance, as well as the effects of channel selection and sensor noise. Examples of these effects are shown

Baseline LHC machine parameters and configuration of the 2015 proton run

This paper shows the baseline LHC machine parameters for the 2015 start-up. Many systems have been upgraded during LS1 and in 2015 the LHC will operate at a higher energy than before and with a tighter filling scheme. Therefore, the 2015 commissioning phase risks to be less smooth than in 2012. The proposed starting configuration puts the focus on feasibility rather than peak performance and includes margins for operational uncertainties. Instead, once beam experience and a better machine knowledge has been obtained, a push in $\beta^*$ and performance can be envisaged. In this paper, the focus is on collimation settings and reach in $\beta^*$---other parameters are covered in greater depth by other papers in these proceedings.Comment: submitted for publication in a CERN yellow report (Proceedings of the LHC Performance Workshop - Chamonix 2014

The SPS as a Vacuum Test Bench for the Electron Cloud Studies with LHC Type Beams

The SPS machine has been operating with LHC-type beams with bunch intensities up to 8x1010 protons (70% of LHC nominal intensity). This paper will give evidence of the electron cloud phenomenon as the mechanism responsible for the pressure rises in the SPS in presence of LHC type beams. The dependence of the pressure rise and of the electron current measured with dedicated pick-ups on various beam characteristics such as proton bunch intensity, number of bunches needed to start the e-cloud phenomenon and the effect of missing bunches will be presented. The evolution of the pressure rise with the integrated current ('beam scrubbing') will be discussed. The observed effect of the dipole magnetic field and of the treatment of the stainless steel vacuum chambers with N2 glow discharge on the pressure rise and on its evolution with the integrated current will be also considered. Finally, the consequences of the electron cloud build-up on the SPS vacuum system for the LHC beam nominal intensity will be described

Earth feature identification for onboard multispectral data editing: Computational experiments

A computational model of the processes involved in multispectral remote sensing and data classification is developed as a tool for designing smart sensors which can process, edit, and classify the data that they acquire. An evaluation of sensor system performance and design tradeoffs involves classification rates and errors as a function of number and location of spectral channels, radiometric sensitivity and calibration accuracy, target discrimination assignments, and accuracy and frequency of compensation for imaging conditions. This model provides a link between the radiometric and statistical properties of the signals to be classified and the performance characteristics of electro-optical sensors and data processing devices. Preliminary computational results are presented which illustrate the editing performance of several remote sensing approaches

Post-anthesis accumulation and remobilization of dry matter, nitrogen and phosphorus in durum wheat as affected by soil type

The objective of the research was to quantify the changes in the accumulation of dry matter and N and P content of four durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) varieties grown on two soil types (sandy-loam and clay-loam), differing for texture, nitrogen content and water holding capacity. Plants were grown in containers and were rainfed until anthesis; irrigation was performed during grain filling to avoid water stress. The difference in total vegetative weight and nitrogen and phosphorus content of plants between anthesis and maturity was used to indirectly estimate the relative contribution of pre-anthesis assimilation and remobilization to grain yield. The behaviour of the four varieties was similar as they ranked in the same order for pre-anthesis and post-anthesis dry matter accumulation and grain yield and differences in soil characteristics induced similar changes in dry matter, N and P accumulation and remobilization. Soil type greatly affected the patterns of dry matter, N and P accumulation and remobilization. Plants grown on clay-loam soil had higher dry weight and N and P content both at anthesis and at maturity and higher grain yield at maturity, compared to plants grown on sandy-loam soil and the remobilization of dry matter, N and P were 75, 140 and 55% higher. Most of the grain carbohydrates originated from photosynthates produced during grain fill, as the contribution of remobilization of dry matter to grain yield did not reach 30%, while most of the grain N and P originated from the remobilization of N and P accumulated prior to anthesis as remobilization of N accounted for 73–82% of grain N content and remobilization of P accounted for 56–63% of grain P content

Above- and below-ground competition between barley, wheat, lupin and vetch in a cereal and legume intercropping system

The effects of intercropping on dry weight (DW) of herbage and nitrogen (N) nutrition of plants of two winter cereals, barley and wheat, and two legumes, white lupin and common vetch, were investigated, and above- and below-ground competition were separated in a fully factorial additive design. Intercropping increased DW compared with the sole species and the increase was higher for the cereals and lupin than for cereals and vetch intercropping systems. Above-ground competition for light reduced DW of cereals and lupin while it did not influence the DW of vetch. Processes involved in below-ground competition increased shoot growth of cereals and reduced shoot growth of legumes. N nutrition of cereals was enhanced by below-ground competition with legumes and N nutrition of vetch was enhanced by above-ground competition with cereals. Cereals had a higher competitive ability than legumes as a result of their below-ground competitive ability. The interaction between above- and below-competition is not predictable: negative, positive and no interaction (additivity) between different types of competition were found. In low-input intercropping systems, when a N-fixing species is present, the mixture of the roots of components is important for the utilization of the soil resources and, when a climbing species is also present, the mixture of shoots can result in an increased utilization of light

Communications Biophysics

Contains research objectives and reports on one research project.U.S. Air Force under Contract AF19(604)-411

Durum wheat grain yield and quality as affected by S rate under Mediterranean conditions

The decreased inputs of S from atmospheric acidic deposition, the use of low S-containing fertilisers, and the decrease of organic matter content in soil resulted in S deficiency in many agricultural regions of the world. Sulphur fertilisation significantly affects grain yield and protein composition of cereals, thus altering the technological quality of grain. Field experiments were conducted in central Italy in two subsequent seasons to investigate the effects ofNand S application on five commercial wheat cultivarsknownto differ in yield potential and grain N content. Fertiliser treatments were two levels of N fertiliser (120 kgNha−1 and 180 kgNha−1) and three levels of S fertiliser (not applied, 60 kg S ha−1, and 120 kg S ha−1). Analyzed characters were dry weight and N and S uptake of grain and vegetative plant part, and grain quality characters. Variations in weather pattern – and especially in rainfall – between years significantly influenced grain yield and N and S content of grain, but did not affect quality parameters. Nitrogen and S application also significantly affected grain yield and the quality characteristicsW, P/L, dry gluten and SDS, although no interactive effect between treatments was observed. The highest protein content and W in grain was obtained with the combination of the highest fertiliser rates: 180 kgNha−1 and 120 kg S ha−1. Genotypes differed for yield stability between years, in that grain production was decreased in the driest year only in the varieties Claudio and Creso, but they responded similarly to N and S fertilisation. Genotypes differed also for protein concentration and quality parameters, and, on average, the varieties Duilio, Simeto and Svevo gave better performances. Differences in grain quality parameters were maintained through years, indicating that these traits are under strong genetic control