scholarly journals Refinements to Data Acquired by 2-Dimensional Video Disdrometers

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 855
Author(s):  
Michael L. Larsen ◽  
Christopher K. Blouin

The 2-Dimensional Video Disdrometer (2DVD) is a commonly used tool for exploring rain microphysics and for validating remotely sensed rain retrievals. Recent work has revealed a persistent anomaly in 2DVD data. Early investigations of this anomaly concluded that the resulting errors in rain measurement were modest, but the methods used to flag anomalous data were not optimized, and related considerations associated with the sample sensing area were not fully investigated. Here, we (i) refine the anomaly-detecting algorithm for increased sensitivity and reliability and (ii) develop a related algorithm for refining the estimate of sample sensing area for all detected drops, including those not directly impacted by the anomaly. Using these algorithms, we explore the corrected data to measure any resulting changes to estimates of bulk rainfall statistics from two separate 2DVDs deployed in South Carolina combining for approximately 10 total years of instrumental uptime. Analysis of this data set consisting of over 200 million drops shows that the error induced in estimated total rain accumulations using the manufacturer-reported area is larger than the error due to considerations related to the anomaly. The algorithms presented here imply that approximately 4.2% of detected drops are spurious and the mean reported effective sample area for drops believed to be correctly detected is overestimated by ~8.5%. Simultaneously accounting for all of these effects suggests that the total accumulated rainfall in the data record is approximately 1.1% larger than the raw data record suggests.

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 2549-2597 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Kramarova ◽  
S. M. Frith ◽  
P. K. Bhartia ◽  
R. D. McPeters ◽  
S. L. Taylor ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present validation of ozone profiles from a number of Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV and SBUV/2) instruments that were recently reprocessed using an updated (Version 8.6) algorithm. The SBUV data record spans a 41-yr period from 1970 to 2011 with a 5-yr gap in the 1970s. The ultimate goal is to create a consistent, well-calibrated dataset of ozone profiles that can be used for climate studies and trend analyses. SBUV ozone profiles have been intensively validated against satellite profile measurements from the Microwave Limb Sounders (MLS) (on board UARS and Aura satellites) and the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE II) and ground-based observations from the microwave spectrometers, lidars, Umkehr instruments and balloon-borne ozonesondes. In the stratosphere between 25 and 1 hPa the mean biases and standard deviations are mostly within 5% for monthly zonal mean ozone profiles. Above and below this layer the vertical resolution of the SBUV algorithm decreases. We combine several layers of data in the troposphere/lower stratosphere to account for the lower resolution. The bias in the SBUV tropospheric/lower stratospheric combined layer relative to similarly integrated columns from Aura MLS, ozonesonde and Umkehr instruments varies within 5%. We also estimate drifts in the SBUV instruments and their potential effect on the long-term stability of the combined data record. Data from the SBUV instruments that collectively cover the 1980s and 2000s are very stable, with drifts mostly less than 0.5% yr−1. The features of individual SBUV(/2) instruments are discussed and recommendations for creating the merged SBUV data set are provided.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 6887-6905 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Kramarova ◽  
S. M. Frith ◽  
P. K. Bhartia ◽  
R. D. McPeters ◽  
S. L. Taylor ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present the validation of ozone profiles from a number of Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV and SBUV/2) instruments that were recently reprocessed using an updated (version 8.6) algorithm. The SBUV data record spans a 41 yr period from 1970 to 2011 with a 5 yr gap in the 1970s. The ultimate goal is to create a consistent, well-calibrated data set of ozone profiles that can be used for climate studies and trend analyses. SBUV ozone profiles have been intensively validated against satellite profile measurements from the Microwave Limb Sounders (MLS) (on board the UARS and Aura satellites) and the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE II) and ground-based observations from the microwave spectrometers, lidars, Umkehr instruments and balloon-borne ozonesondes. In the stratosphere between 25 and 1 hPa the mean biases and standard deviations are mostly within 5% for monthly zonal mean ozone profiles. Above and below this layer the vertical resolution of the SBUV algorithm decreases. We combine several layers of data in the troposphere/lower stratosphere to account for the lower resolution. The bias in the SBUV tropospheric/lower stratospheric combined layer relative to similarly integrated columns from Aura MLS, ozonesonde and Umkehr instruments varies within 5%. We also estimate the drift of the SBUV instruments and their potential effect on the long-term stability of the combined data record. Data from the SBUV instruments that collectively cover the 1980s and 2000s are very stable, with drifts mostly less than 0.5% per year. The features of individual SBUV(/2) instruments are discussed and recommendations for creating a merged SBUV data set are provided.


2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Xiong ◽  
Claudia Stolle ◽  
Patrick Alken ◽  
Jan Rauberg

Abstract In this study, we have derived field-aligned currents (FACs) from magnetometers onboard the Defense Meteorological Satellite Project (DMSP) satellites. The magnetic latitude versus local time distribution of FACs from DMSP shows comparable dependences with previous findings on the intensity and orientation of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By and Bz components, which confirms the reliability of DMSP FAC data set. With simultaneous measurements of precipitating particles from DMSP, we further investigate the relation between large-scale FACs and precipitating particles. Our result shows that precipitation electron and ion fluxes both increase in magnitude and extend to lower latitude for enhanced southward IMF Bz, which is similar to the behavior of FACs. Under weak northward and southward Bz conditions, the locations of the R2 current maxima, at both dusk and dawn sides and in both hemispheres, are found to be close to the maxima of the particle energy fluxes; while for the same IMF conditions, R1 currents are displaced further to the respective particle flux peaks. Largest displacement (about 3.5°) is found between the downward R1 current and ion flux peak at the dawn side. Our results suggest that there exists systematic differences in locations of electron/ion precipitation and large-scale upward/downward FACs. As outlined by the statistical mean of these two parameters, the FAC peaks enclose the particle energy flux peaks in an auroral band at both dusk and dawn sides. Our comparisons also found that particle precipitation at dawn and dusk and in both hemispheres maximizes near the mean R2 current peaks. The particle precipitation flux maxima closer to the R1 current peaks are lower in magnitude. This is opposite to the known feature that R1 currents are on average stronger than R2 currents.


Author(s):  
Stephen T. Benedict ◽  
Thomas P. Knight

The hydraulic design of bridges is a discipline that requires a strong measure of engineering judgment. Developing good engineering judgment can take years of experience, and generally increases one project at a time. A supplemental tool that can promote the development of engineering knowledge and judgment is to compile, analyze, and graphically present hydraulic data associated with stream and bridge-design characteristics from previously analyzed bridges. If the data set is sufficiently large, graphs developed from such an effort can provide the engineer with an enhanced picture of stream and bridge-design characteristics, helping them further develop their engineering knowledge and judgment. Furthermore, such graphs can function as project scoping tools and hydraulic-design review tools. Using selected data from approximately 300 bridge-scour studies in South Carolina, previously conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, and limited hydraulic bridge-design data for approximately 200 bridges in South Carolina, trends in stream and bridge-hydraulic characteristics were evaluated including channel width, floodplain width, flood flow depths, stream slopes, bridge backwater, bridge flow velocity, and bridge lengths. Selected relationships are presented in this paper and should serve as a valuable tool for better understanding stream and bridge-hydraulic characteristics in South Carolina.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sidney R. Lehky ◽  
Keiji Tanaka ◽  
Anne B. Sereno

AbstractWhen measuring sparseness in neural populations as an indicator of efficient coding, an implicit assumption is that each stimulus activates a different random set of neurons. In other words, population responses to different stimuli are, on average, uncorrelated. Here we examine neurophysiological data from four lobes of macaque monkey cortex, including V1, V2, MT, anterior inferotemporal cortex, lateral intraparietal cortex, the frontal eye fields, and perirhinal cortex, to determine how correlated population responses are. We call the mean correlation the pseudosparseness index, because high pseudosparseness can mimic statistical properties of sparseness without being authentically sparse. In every data set we find high levels of pseudosparseness ranging from 0.59–0.98, substantially greater than the value of 0.00 for authentic sparseness. This was true for synthetic and natural stimuli, as well as for single-electrode and multielectrode data. A model indicates that a key variable producing high pseudosparseness is the standard deviation of spontaneous activity across the population. Consistently high values of pseudosparseness in the data demand reconsideration of the sparse coding literature as well as consideration of the degree to which authentic sparseness provides a useful framework for understanding neural coding in the cortex.


Ocean Science ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 887-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ezam ◽  
A. A. Bidokhti ◽  
A. H. Javid

Abstract. A three dimensional numerical model namely POM (Princeton Ocean Model) and observational data are used to study the Persian Gulf outflow structure and its spreading pathways during 1992. In the model, the monthly wind speed data were taken from ICOADS (International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set) and the monthly SST (sea surface temperatures) were taken from AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) with the addition of monthly net shortwave radiations from NCEP (National Center for Environmental Prediction). The mean monthly precipitation rates from NCEP data and the calculated evaporation rates are used to impose the surface salinity fluxes. At the open boundaries the temperature and salinity were prescribed from the mean monthly climatological values from WOA05 (World Ocean Atlas 2005). Also the four major components of the tide were prescribed at the open boundaries. The results show that the outflow mainly originates from two branches at different depths in the Persian Gulf. The permanent branch exists during the whole year deeper than 40 m along the Gulf axis and originates from the inner parts of the Persian Gulf. The other seasonal branch forms in the vicinity of the shallow southern coasts due to high evaporation rates during winter. Near the Strait of Hormuz the two branches join and form the main outflow source water. The results of simulations reveal that during the winter the outflow boundary current mainly detaches from the coast well before Ras Al Hamra Cape, however during summer the outflow seems to follow the coast even after this Cape. This is due to a higher density of the colder outflow that leads to more sinking near the coast in winter. Thus, the outflow moves to a deeper depth of about 500 m (for which some explanations are given) while the main part detaches and spreads at a depth of about 300 m. However in summer it all moves at a depth of about 200–250 m. During winter, the deeper, stronger and wider outflow is more affected by the steep topography, leading to separation from the coast. While during summer, the weaker and shallower outflow is less influenced by bottom topography and so continues along the boundary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii83-ii83
Author(s):  
Nilan Vaghjiani ◽  
Andrew Schwieder ◽  
Sravya Uppalapati ◽  
Zachary Kons ◽  
Elizabeth Kazarian ◽  
...  

Abstract PURPOSE Radiation-induced meningiomas (RIMs) are associated with previous exposure to therapeutic irradiation. RIMs are rare and have not been well characterized relative to spontaneous meningiomas (SMs). METHODS 1003 patients with proven or presumed meningiomas were identified from the VCU brain tumor database. Chart review classified RIM patients and their characteristics. RESULTS Of the 1003 total patients, 76.47% were female with a mean ± SD age of 67.55 ± 15.50 years. 15 RIM patients were identified (66.67% female), with a mean ± SD age of 52.67 ± 15.46 years, 5 were African American and 10 were Caucasian. The incidence of RIMs was 1.49% in our data set. The mean age at diagnosis was 43.27 ± 15.06 years. The mean latency was 356.27 ± 116.96 months. The mean initiating dose was 44.28 ± 14.68 Gy. There was a significant difference between mean latency period and ethnicity, 258.3 months for African American population, and 405.2 months for Caucasian population (p = 0.003). There was a significant difference between the mean number of lesions in females (2.8) versus males (1.2; p = 0.046). Of the RIMs with characterized histology, 6 (55%) were WHO grade II and 5 (45%) were WHO grade I, demonstrating a prevalence of grade II tumors approximately double that found with SMs. RIMs were treated with combinations of observation, surgery, radiation, and medical therapy. Of the 8 patients treated with radiation, 4 demonstrated response. 8 of the 15 patients (53%) demonstrated recurrence/progression despite treatment. CONCLUSION RIMs are important because of the associated higher grade histology, gender, and ethnic incidences, and increased recurrence/progression compared to SMs. Despite the presumed contributory role of prior radiation, RIMs demonstrate a significant rate of responsiveness to radiation treatment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 58-60
Author(s):  
Naziru Fadisanku Haruna ◽  
Ran Vijay Kumar Singh ◽  
Samsudeen Dahiru

In This paper a modied ratio-type estimator for nite population mean under stratied random sampling using single auxiliary variable has been proposed. The expression for mean square error and bias of the proposed estimator are derived up to the rst order of approximation. The expression for minimum mean square error of proposed estimator is also obtained. The mean square error the proposed estimator is compared with other existing estimators theoretically and condition are obtained under which proposed estimator performed better. A real life population data set has been considered to compare the efciency of the proposed estimator numerically.


2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-293
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Yuan Xu ◽  
Yingchao Ren ◽  
Gang Wang

Recently, performance improvement in facade parsing from 3D point clouds has been brought about by designing more complex network structures, which cost huge computing resources and do not take full advantage of prior knowledge of facade structure. Instead, from the perspective of data distribution, we construct a new hierarchical mesh multi-view data domain based on the characteristics of facade objects to achieve fusion of deep-learning models and prior knowledge, thereby significantly improving segmentation accuracy. We comprehensively evaluate the current mainstream method on the RueMonge 2014 data set and demonstrate the superiority of our method. The mean intersection-over-union index on the facade-parsing task reached 76.41%, which is 2.75% higher than the current best result. In addition, through comparative experiments, the reasons for the performance improvement of the proposed method are further analyzed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca M Pines ◽  
Stephen F Tomasino ◽  
Michele P Cottrill ◽  
Gordon C Hamilton ◽  
Albert E Parker

Abstract The AOAC Germicidal Spray Products as Disinfectants test method (AOAC Official Method 961.02) is used to measure the efficacy of spray products on hard inanimate surfaces; however, the method does not provide procedures to determine the population of the test microbe on inoculated glass slide carriers (e.g., carrier counts reported as CFU/carrier). Without a method to measure and monitor carrier counts, the associated efficacy data may not be reliable and repeatable. This report provides a standardized procedure to address this issue and, based on carrier count data collected by four laboratories from 2000 to 2010, proposes a specific range for the mean log density per carrier as a requirement. Laboratory-based carrier count data were collected concurrently with 116 Method 961.02 efficacy tests conducted on spray products bearing claims against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. For many of the tests a soil load (SL) was added to the inoculum (as specified on the product label claim). Six carriers were assayed per test for a total of 696 carriers. All but two of the 116 mean log densities were at least 5.0 (a geometric mean of 1.0 × 105 CFU/carrier). Across the four combinations of microbes and SL treatments, the mean TestLD (mean log density across all enumerated carriers in a test) ranged from approximately 6.0 (a geometric mean of 0.9 × 106 CFU/carrier) to 6.3 (a geometric mean of 2.0 × 106 CFU/carrier). Across all microbes and SL treatments, the mean log density (±SEM) was 6.2 (±0.07) per carrier (a geometric mean of 1.5 × 106 CFU/carrier). The mean log density for six carriers per test showed good repeatability (0.32) and reproducibility (0.34). The proposed requirement for S. aureus tests and P. aeruginosa tests is a mean log density (across six carriers) between 5.0 and 6.5. A separate 2009 study at three laboratories was conducted to evaluate the persistence of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and Salmonella enterica on glass carriers. Based on the persistence data, a 2 h use period is proposed for using the inoculated carriers post drying. The persistence data set was also used to assess the carrier counts for S. enterica. The carrier counts were approximately one log lower for S. enterica compared to S. aureus and P. aeruginosa; a range of 4.0 to 5.5 logs is proposed as a requirement for S. enterica tests.


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