Range profile target recognition using sparse representation based on feature space

A novel method is presented to improve the recognition rate of warhead in this paper. Firstly, a tool for electromagnetic calculation, like CST Microwave Studio, is used to simulate the frequency response of the electromagnetic scattering. Secondly, the echo and further the range profile are acquired from the frequency response by further processing. Thirdly, a set of discriminative features is extracted from the range profiles of the target. Fourthly, these features are used to construct a dictionary for the sparse representation classifier. Finally, the sample of the target can be classified by solving the sparsest coefficients. Since the reconstruction result is determined by a linear combination of the training samples, this method has a good robustness for the variable features. By formulating the problem within a feature-based sparse representation framework, the presented method combines the discriminative features of each sample during the sparse recovery process rather than in a postprocessing manner. Moreover, based on the feature representation space rather than a single feature or image pixel, the constructed dictionary exhibits both strong expressive and discriminative powers that can enhance the classification performance of the test sample. A series of test results based on the simulated data demonstrates the effectiveness of our method.     

Developing MPA Effectiveness Indicators: Comparison Within and Across Stakeholder Groups and Communities

Shared expectations about marine protected areas (MPAs) might be expected to enhance their effectiveness. This study determined whether members of local communities had common or divergent views about the objectives and indicators of MPA effectiveness. In the central Philippines we used unconstrained and constrained methods to interview people in five stakeholder groups (elders, fishers, leaders, women, and youth) associated with each of 10 community-based no-take MPAs that had been protected between 0 and 21 years. Respondents identified multiple MPA objectives, the most frequently mentioned of which was restoring and sustaining fish populations. The results suggest that MPA age accounts for the greatest level of variation across communities. When unconstrained, progress in enforcement was identified as a key indicator among respondents from younger MPAs while respondents from older MPAs identified increased fish abundance and catch. Although consensus can be reached more easily under constrained conditions, the results derived from unconstrained methods are more revealing of the needs and aspirations of communities. These are likely to contribute more to the search for appropriate management interventions, particularly given that MPAs evolve over time. Hence, the development of MPA effectiveness indicators must be an iterative community-informed process to ensure timely and relevant management interventions.     

Sediment community biomass and respiration in the Northeast water polynya, Greenland: a numerical simulation of benthic lander and spade core data

Sediment community metabolism (oxygen demand) was measured in the Northeast Water (NEW) polynya off Greenland employing two methods: in situ benthic chambers deployed with a benthic (GOMEX) lander and shipboard laboratory Batch Micro-Incubation Chambers (BMICs) utilizing ‘cores’ recovered from USNEL box cores. The mean benthic respiration rate measured with the lander was 0.057 mM O₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ (n = 5); whereas the mean measured with the BMICs was 0.11 mM O₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ (n = 21; p < 0.01 that the means were the same). In terms of carbon fluxes (14 and 27 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹), these respiration rates represent ca. 5–15% of the average net primary production measured in the euphotic zone in 1992. The biomass of the bacteria, meiofauna and macrofauna were measured at each location to quantify the relationship between total community respiration and total community biomass (mean 1.42 g C m⁻²). Average carbon residence time in the biota, calculated by dividing the biomass by the respiration, was on the order of 50–100 days, which is comparable to relatively oligotrophic continental margins at temperate latitudes.The biomass and respiration data for the aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, the infaunal invertebrates (meiofauna and macrofauna), and the epifaunal megabenthos (two species of brittle stars) are summarized in a ‘steady-state’ solution of a sediment food chain model, in terms of carbon. This carbon budget illustrates the relative importance of the sediment-dwelling invertebrates in the benthic subsystem, compared to the bacteria and the epibenthos, during the summer open-water period in mud-lined troughs at depths of about 300 m. The input needed to drive heterotrophic respiratory processes was within the range of the input of organic matter recorded in moored, time-sequencing sediment traps.A time-dependent numerical simulation of the model was run to investigate the potential responses of the three size groups of benthos to abrupt seasonal pulses of particulate organic matter. The model suggests that there is a time lag in the increase in bottom community biomass and respiration following the POC pulse, and provides hypothetical estimates for the potential carbon storage in the summer (open water), followed by catabolic losses during each ensuing winter (ice covered).This sequence of storage and respiration may contribute to the process of seasonal CO₂ ‘rectification’ (sensu Yager et al., 1995) in some Arctic ecosystems.     

The female antennules of Paracyclops (Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae): their significance for systematics

The setation patterns of female antennules of some Paracyclops species are analysed with reference to the hypothetical 28-segmented antennule of ancestral copepod proposed by Huys and Boxshall in 1991. Comparison between Paracyclops species has revealed a setation pattern common to all species thus far examined. Several modifications of the female antennules have been identified as apomorphic states and can be used in phylogenetic studies. P. waiariki has 12-segmented antennules and exhibits more plesiomorphic characters than the reduced 8-segmented antennules of other species, such as P. fimbriatus. The results confirm that simple segment numbers are unusable as characters in cladistic analysis. Both P. affinis and P. yeatmani, for example, have 11-segmented antennules but analysis of segmental homologies has revealed that the 11-segmented state is convergent in these two species.     

China' maritime developments

Development of ports and shipping in China are continuing at a phenomenal pace. They are now entering a second phase in these developments. With basic capacity to handle China's growing foreign trade established. China's ports and shipping are now being ratinalized in terms of inland infrastructure and intermodal networks, optimum trade flows, foreign alliances, and physical forms or consolidation of cargo. These developments are driven by the lack of a large, deep water ocean fleet on one hand and limited water depths at many major ports. Similarly, the extension of economic development to the inland ports of China has become a priority as has the effective integration of Hong Kong and gradual opening of direct shipping across the Taiwan Straits.     

Spatial and temporal variability of size-fractionated biomass and primary production in the Ross Sea (Antarctica) during austral spring and summer

The results of a study on the spatial and temporal dynamics of size-fractionated biomass and production of phytoplankton in the Ross Sea during the austral spring and summer are reported. The spring cruise took place in the offshore Ross Sea from 14 November to 14 December 1994. Sampling was carried out on a transect of 27 stations distributed from 76.5 to 72.0°S along 175°E, and covered the three main Antarctic environments of the polynya open waters, the marginal ice zone and the pack ice area. Three subsystems were identified. The subsystem of the polynya was characterised by the predominance of the micro- and nano-planktonic fractions, chlorophyll (Chl a) concentrations from 69.6 to 164.7 mg m⁻² and production rates from 0.68 to 1.14 g C m⁻² day⁻¹. The second subsystem, the marginal ice zone, showed a relative increase of the micro-planktonic fraction, high biomass levels (from 99.64 to 220 mg Chl m⁻²) and production rates from 0.99 to 2.7 g C m⁻² day⁻¹. The subsystem of the pack ice area had a phytoplankton community dominated by the pico-planktonic fraction and showed low biomasses (from 19.4 to 37.7 mg Chl m⁻²) and production rates (0.28 to 0.60 g C m⁻² day⁻¹). Selective grazing by krill is considered an important factor in determining the size structure of the phytoplankton communities. The summer study consisted of a time series carried out in inshore waters of Terra Nova Bay from 12 January to 8 February 1990. In a well stabilised water column and with high levels of PAR always available, the primary production rates of a community dominated by micro-plankton varied from 0.52 to 1.2 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ (average 0.84). A high P/B ratio, up to 3, and a remarkably elevated mean phaeopigment (Phaeo)/Chl a ratio of 2.4 indicated an active removal of biomass by grazing, confirmed by the presence of faecal pellets in quantities reaching 6000 m⁻³ in the upper 50 m. The peculiarities of the inshore versus offshore environments in terms of community size structure, production processes and their implications as regards the food web are discussed.     

新型快餐盒生物降解性能试验方法研究

通过固体培养微生物侵蚀试验、液体培养微生物侵蚀试验、降解过程中纤维素酶活性测定、纤维素酶侵蚀试验和降解过程中 Ｃ Ｏ２ 生成体积分数的测定等试验结果分析，认为固体培养微生物侵蚀试验、纤维素酶侵蚀试验及 Ｃ Ｏ２ 生成量测定试验可用于评价新型快餐盒生物降解性能。     

The change in soil cover on the exposed bed of the Aral Sea

Desiccation of the Aral Sea has led to the formation of new soil cover on the exposed seabed. Investigation of the newly formed dry land is very important since it is a source of dust storms and salts transferred to long distances. A soil map of the exposed seabed for 2000 has been produced on the basis of the map for the year 1990 (Institute of Soil Science, Uzbekistan), satellite images, and selected field observations of groundwater table. During the period 1990–2000, the sea recessed 20–32 km, thus changing the soil cover characteristics. The maps of soil cover with the detailed information on soil textures, the characterization of soil types, the soil formation trends, and the changes in soil types during the sea recession process are available. Attention has been paid to erosion tendencies and susceptibility to dust and salt transfers. As a whole, the soil cover was formed as a result of the replacement of excessive wetlands (salt-marsh), located in the form of strip along the sea, by hydromorphic and semi-hydromorphic, semi-automorphic and automorphic soils. The drying seabed has complicated lithological and morphologic composition. The territory of the exposed seabed is characterized by different hydrological conditions. Groundwater depth varies from 0.5 to 10 m. With the shore's recession, the water storage groundwater is approaching the surface. With general tendency towards desertification, the initial soil cover changes. The soils that did not reach the complete genetic formation, under the influence of quickly changing hydrogeological conditions, are transformed into the other types and subtypes. Often, while becoming dry, they are self-destructed and change into sands. Currently, the following types of soils are observed on the exposed seabed: automorphic solonchaks, semi-automorphic solonchaks, semi-hydromorphic solonchaks, hydromorphic solonchaks, desert sandy soils, sands.     

The trophic state of the Baltic Sea a century ago: a model simulation study

We apply a 3-D circulation model with a biogeochemical module (ERGOM) for the simulation of trophic conditions in the Baltic Sea a century ago. One aim is to provide reference or background data for nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll, which is required for the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). We assume that the situation a century ago serves this purpose well. Model input for this long-term simulation study are the regionally differentiated riverine and atmospheric nutrient loads to the Baltic Sea, which were compiled and calculated for a situation 100 years ago on the basis of various literature sources. For the mixed surface layer of the open Baltic Sea, we suggest maximum winter concentrations for dissolved phosphorus (dissolved inorganic nitrogen) of 0.23–0.35 (2.7–3.7) mmol/m³. Maximum chlorophyll-a concentrations are between 1.8 and 2.4 mg/m³. The concentrations of all parameters for different coastal waters vary in a wide range, depending on exposure to nutrient sources. Our nutrient concentrations for the situation a century ago are close to early measured data (1950–1960) and suggest that this data is suitable as reference data, as well.