Apparent Location Research Articles

Modeling the Effects of Soil Variability, Topography, and Management on the Yield of Barley

A better understanding of processes involved in crop production as well as the use of models as tools for managing agricultural systems are main reasons for the development of growth models. During the last three decades, the complexity of models increased from simple input-output relationships to highly sophisticated mechanistic process oriented models. Nevertheless, today, the simpler crop yield models have received a wider application, e.g., in management oriented decisions for plant production and in the evaluation of field experiments at multiple scales. The spatial variability considerably influences the experimental error variance which is particularly relevant in highly managed production experiments and in breeding nurseries. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to predict the yield of barley based on regressions and analysis of variance/covariance (ANOVA, ANCOVA) in a long-term static nitrogen fertilizer experiment receiving six different forms of nitrogen and three levels of nitrogen. The factors were the level of fertilization and the applied N-fertilizer forms. As covariates, the apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa), relief parameters, and location coordinates were used. These covariates were served as proxies for site conditions. The apparent conductivity was measured with different sensors (EM38, EM38-MK2) and in all possible configurations. The ANOVA indicated smaller R2-values and higher root mean square differences (RMSD) in comparison to the ANCOVA ((fertilized plots ANOVA: R2 = 0.21, RMSD = 5.23 dt ha−1; ANCOVA: R2 = 0.845, RMSD = 2.30 dt ha−1). Besides the form and level of fertilization, conductivity readings were the most important covariates accounting for the averaged long-term yields. Looking at the individual years, ECa occurred in the ANCOVA models in five of 11 years, whereas topographic covariates (mainly variables with the parameter slope in the derivation) appeared in eight years in the models. The introduction of plot-wise, time-invariant soil and relief parameters improved the discrimination of testing and modelling the treatment performance within the long-term field trial. The high degree of explanatory power in yield prediction delivered by static soil parameters makes them highly attractive and can contribute to an improved evaluation of production oriented field experiments.

Modeling for Development of Simulation Tool: Impact of TCSC on Apparent Impedance Seen by Distance Relay

The impact of thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) on distance protection relays in transmission lines is analyzed in this paper. Voltage and current data are measured and collected at the relay locations to calculate the apparent impedance seen by distance protection relays in the different operating modes of the TCSC connected to the line. Short-circuit faults which occur at different locations on the power transmission line are considered in order to locate the fault for the purpose of evaluating the impact of TCSC on the distance protection relay. Matlab/Simulink simulation software is used to model the power transmission line with two sources at the two ends. Voltage source, transmission line, TCSC, voltage and current measurement, and discrete Fourier transform (DFT) blocks are integrated into the model. Simulation results show the impact of TCSC on the distance protection relay and determine the apparent impedance and fault location in the line.

195Pt NMR and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of the Solvation of [PtCl6]2- in Water-Methanol and Water-Dimethoxyethane Binary Mixtures.

The experimental 195Pt NMR chemical shift, δ(195Pt), of the [PtCl6]2- anion dissolved in binary mixtures of water and a fully miscible organic solvent is extremely sensitive to the composition of the mixture at room temperature. Significantly nonlinear δ(195Pt) trends as a function of solvent composition are observed in mixtures of water-methanol, or ethylene glycol, 2-methoxyethanol, and 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME). The extent of the deviation from linearity of the δ(195Pt) trend depends strongly on the nature of the organic component in these solutions, which broadly suggests preferential solvation of the [PtCl6]2- anion by the organic molecule. This simplistic interpretation is based on an accepted view pertaining to monovalent cations in similar binary solvent mixtures. To elucidate these phenomena in detail, classical molecular dynamics computer simulations were performed for [PtCl6]2- in water-methanol and water-DME mixtures using the anionic charge scaling approach to account for the effect of electronic dielectric screening. Our simulations suggest that the simplistic model of preferential solvation of [PtCl6]2- by the organic component as inferred from nonlinear δ(195Pt) trends is not entirely accurate, particularly for water-DME mixtures. The δ(195Pt) trend in these mixtures levels off for high DME mole fractions, which results from apparent preferential location of [PtCl6]2- anions at the borders of water-rich regions or clusters within these inherently micro-heterogeneous mixtures. By contrast in water-methanol mixtures, apparently less pronounced mixed solvent micro-heterogeneity is found, suggesting the experimental δ(195Pt) trend is consistent with a more moderate preferential solvation of [PtCl6]2- anions. This finding underlines the important role of solvent-solvent interactions and micro-heterogeneity in determining the solvation environment of [PtCl6]2- anions in binary solvent mixtures, probed by highly sensitive 195Pt NMR. The notion that preferential solvation of [PtCl6]2- results primarily from competing ion-solvent interactions as generally assumed for monatomic ions, may not be appropriate in general.

Beamforming of crackle-related events in supersonic jet noise

Crackle is an annoying component of supersonic jet noise. In the far field, crackle is related to the presence of acoustic shocks that develop due to nonlinear propagation; however, the intermittent source events that drive crackle generation are not well understood. This study investigates the apparent source locations of events related to crackle, which could include high-amplitude or steepened, shock-like waveforms. The measured data were obtained through ground-array measurements near a high-performance military aircraft, which was run at different engine powers. The apparent source regions corresponding to different event triggers, such as pressure amplitude, derivative amplitude, and spectral characteristics, are compared. The crackle-related event beamforming is also compared against the results of time-averaged, frequency-domain source localization. [Funded by an AFRL SBIR.]Crackle is an annoying component of supersonic jet noise. In the far field, crackle is related to the presence of acoustic shocks that develop due to nonlinear propagation; however, the intermittent source events that drive crackle generation are not well understood. This study investigates the apparent source locations of events related to crackle, which could include high-amplitude or steepened, shock-like waveforms. The measured data were obtained through ground-array measurements near a high-performance military aircraft, which was run at different engine powers. The apparent source regions corresponding to different event triggers, such as pressure amplitude, derivative amplitude, and spectral characteristics, are compared. The crackle-related event beamforming is also compared against the results of time-averaged, frequency-domain source localization. [Funded by an AFRL SBIR.]

Holographic characterization of therapeutic array transducers with assessment of measurement limitations and robustness

Acoustic holography measurements and corresponding numerical projection methods have recently gained acceptance for characterizing the fields generated by high intensity therapeutic ultrasound (HITU) applications. To facilitate the standardization of such measurement-based simulation methods, it is important to understand how practical measurement challenges and limitations impact the results. Toward this end, holography measurements were acquired and analyzed for characterization of two therapeutic array transducers, each with 256 elements. For different focusing configurations, measurements comprised 2D holography scans as well as 1D scans used to independently quantify the focal lobe. The fields projected from holograms were compared to independent 1D scans to evaluate the impacts of hydrophone directivity, non-orthogonality of the axes of the positioner used to move the hydrophone, and overall mechanical stability of measurements. Results demonstrate that directivity effects exceeded those expected based on hydrophone size and altered focal pressures on the order of 10%. Non-orthogonality of the positioner shifted apparent focal locations by measurable distances, which could be confused with small shifts in device fixturing. However, holographic reconstruction of the ultrasound field structure near the focal lobe was robust with respect to directivity and non-orthogonality, which enables compensation by relative calibration of source output levels. [Funding support by NIH R01-EB025187, R01-EB007643, and P01-DK043881.]

Measuring planetary atmospheric dynamics with Doppler spectroscopy

Doppler imaging spectroscopy is the most reliable method of directly measuring wind speeds of planetary atmospheres of the solar system. However, most knowledge about atmospheric dynamics has been obtained with cloud-tracking technique, which consists of tracking visible features from images taken at different dates. Doppler imaging is as challenging (motions can be less than 100 m s−1) as it is appealing because it measures the speed of cloud particles instead of large cloud structures. A significant difference between wind speed measured by cloud-tracking and Doppler spectroscopy is expected in case of atmospheric waves interfering with cloud structures. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for conducting accurate Doppler measurements of planetary atmospheres, especially from the ground with reflected solar absorption lines. We focus on three aspects which lead to significant biases. Firstly, we fully review the Young effect, which is an artificial radial velocity field caused by the solar rotation that mimics a retrograde planetary rotation. Secondly, we extensively study the impact of atmospheric seeing and show that it modifies the apparent location of the planet in the sky whenever the planet is not observed at full phase (opposition). Moreover, the seeing convolves regions of variable radial velocity and photometry, which biases radial-velocity measurements, by reducing the apparent amplitude of atmospheric motions. Finally, we propose a method to interpret the data: how to retrieve zonal, meridional, vertical, and subsolar-to-antisolar circulation from radial velocity maps, by optimizing the signal-to-noise ratio.

Decimetric Emission 500″ Away from a Flaring Site: Possible Scenarios from GMRT Solar Radio Observations

We present a study of decimetric radio activity, using the first high time cadence (0.5 s) images from the ${\textit{Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope}}$ (${\textit{GMRT}}$) at 610 MHz, associated with ${\textit{GOES}}$ C1.4 and M1.0 class solar flares, and a coronal mass ejection (CME) onset that occurred on 20 June 2015. The high spatial resolution images from ${\textit{GMRT}}$ show a strong radio source during the C1.4 flare, located ~500$''$ away from the flaring site with no corresponding bright footpoints or coronal features nearby. In contrast, however, strong radio sources are found near the flaring site during the M1.0 flare and around the CME onset time. Weak radio sources, located near the flaring site, are also found during the maximum of the C1.4 flare activity, which show a temporal association with metric type III bursts identified by the Solar Broadband Radio Spectrometer at Yunnan Astronomical Observatory. Based on a multi-wavelength analysis and magnetic potential field source surface extrapolations, we suggest that the source electrons of ${\textit{GMRT}}$ radio sources and metric type III bursts were originated from a common electron acceleration site. We also show that the strong ${\textit{GMRT}}$ radio source is generated by a coherent emission process and its apparent location far from the flaring site is possibly due to the wave-ducting effect.

Shock location and CME 3D reconstruction of a solar type II radio burst with LOFAR

Context. Type II radio bursts are evidence of shocks in the solar atmosphere and inner heliosphere that emit radio waves ranging from sub-meter to kilometer lengths. These shocks may be associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and reach speeds higher than the local magnetosonic speed. Radio imaging of decameter wavelengths (20–90 MHz) is now possible with the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), opening a new radio window in which to study coronal shocks that leave the inner solar corona and enter the interplanetary medium and to understand their association with CMEs. Aims. To this end, we study a coronal shock associated with a CME and type II radio burst to determine the locations at which the radio emission is generated, and we investigate the origin of the band-splitting phenomenon. Methods. Thetype II shock source-positions and spectra were obtained using 91 simultaneous tied-array beams of LOFAR, and the CME was observed by the Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and by the COR2A coronagraph of the SECCHI instruments on board the Solar Terrestrial Relation Observatory(STEREO). The 3D structure was inferred using triangulation of the coronographic observations. Coronal magnetic fields were obtained from a 3D magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) polytropic model using the photospheric fields measured by the Heliospheric Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) as lower boundary. Results. The type II radio source of the coronal shock observed between 50 and 70 MHz was found to be located at the expanding flank of the CME, where the shock geometry is quasi-perpendicular with θBn ~ 70°. The type II radio burst showed first and second harmonic emission; the second harmonic source was cospatial with the first harmonic source to within the observational uncertainty. This suggests that radio wave propagation does not alter the apparent location of the harmonic source. The sources of the two split bands were also found to be cospatial within the observational uncertainty, in agreement with the interpretation that split bands are simultaneous radio emission from upstream and downstream of the shock front. The fast magnetosonic Mach number derived from this interpretation was found to lie in the range 1.3–1.5. The fast magnetosonic Mach numbers derived from modelling the CME and the coronal magnetic field around the type II source were found to lie in the range 1.4–1.6.

Effect of Blast Injury on Auditory Localization in Military Service Members.

Among the many advantages of binaural hearing are the abilities to localize sounds in space and to attend to one sound in the presence of many sounds. Binaural hearing provides benefits for all listeners, but it may be especially critical for military personnel who must maintain situational awareness in complex tactical environments with multiple speech and noise sources. There is concern that Military Service Members who have been exposed to one or more high-intensity blasts during their tour of duty may have difficulty with binaural and spatial ability due to degradation in auditory and cognitive processes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the ability of blast-exposed Military Service Members to localize speech sounds in quiet and in multisource environments with one or two competing talkers. Participants were presented with one, two, or three topic-related (e.g., sports, food, travel) sentences under headphones and required to attend to, and then locate the source of, the sentence pertaining to a prespecified target topic within a virtual space. The listener's head position was monitored by a head-mounted tracking device that continuously updated the apparent spatial location of the target and competing speech sounds as the subject turned within the virtual space. Measurements of auditory localization ability included mean absolute error in locating the source of the target sentence, the time it took to locate the target sentence within 30 degrees, target/competitor confusion errors, response time, and cumulative head motion. Twenty-one blast-exposed Active-Duty or Veteran Military Service Members (blast-exposed group) and 33 non-blast-exposed Service Members and beneficiaries (control group) were evaluated. In general, the blast-exposed group performed as well as the control group if the task involved localizing the source of a single speech target. However, if the task involved two or three simultaneous talkers, localization ability was compromised for some participants in the blast-exposed group. Blast-exposed participants were less accurate in their localization responses and required more exploratory head movements to find the location of the target talker. Results suggest that blast-exposed participants have more difficulty than non-blast-exposed participants in localizing sounds in complex acoustic environments. This apparent deficit in spatial hearing ability highlights the need to develop new diagnostic tests using complex listening tasks that involve multiple sound sources that require speech segregation and comprehension.

High-resolution additive light field near-eye display by switchable Pancharatnam-Berry phase lenses.

Conventional head-mounted displays present different images to each eye, and thereby create three-dimensional (3D) sensation for viewers. This method can only control the stimulus to vergence but not accommodation, which is located at the apparent location of the physical displays. The disrupted coupling between vergence and accommodation could cause considerable visual discomfort. To address this problem, in this paper a novel multi-focal plane 3D display system is proposed. A stack of switchable liquid crystal Pancharatnam-Berry phase lenses is implemented to create real depths for each eye, which is able to provide approximate focus cue and relieve the discomfort from vergence-accommodation conflict. The proposed multi-focal plane generation method has great potential for both virtual reality and augmented reality applications, where correct focus cue is highly desirable.

Angle-Dependent Distortions in the Perceptual Topology of Acoustic Space.

By moving sounds around the head and asking listeners to report which ones moved more, it was found that sound sources at the side of a listener must move at least twice as much as ones in front to be judged as moving the same amount. A relative expansion of space in the front and compression at the side has consequences for spatial perception of moving sounds by both static and moving listeners. An accompanying prediction that the apparent location of static sound sources ought to also be distorted agrees with previous work and suggests that this is a general perceptual phenomenon that is not limited to moving signals. A mathematical model that mimics the measured expansion of space can be used to successfully capture several previous findings in spatial auditory perception. The inverse of this function could be used alongside individualized head-related transfer functions and motion tracking to produce hyperstable virtual acoustic environments.

Sailing and Sailing Rigs in the Ancient Mediterranean: implications of continuity, variation and change in propulsion technology

Ships and boats form the foundations of the maritime connectivity that is a central part of our understanding of the ancient Mediterranean. While the general chronological sequence of sail and sailing-rig development is well established, the implications are less-well discussed. This article sets out how sails and sailing rigs developed in antiquity, with emphasis on the Greco-Roman world. Subsequently, instances of innovation are defined. Why specific pieces of maritime technology were, or were not, widely adopted is considered. Long-term technological continuity can be comprehended, and a shared maritime culture of sailing in the ancient Mediterranean is suggested.

Distortion of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) Displacements and Strains from Heat Waves

“Heat waves” is a colloquial term used to describe convective currents in air formed when different objects in an area are at different temperatures. In the context of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and other optical-based image processing techniques, imaging an object of interest through heat waves can significantly distort the apparent location and shape of the object. There are many potential heat sources in DIC experiments, including but not limited to lights, cameras, hot ovens, and sunlight, yet error caused by heat waves is often overlooked. This paper first briefly presents three practical situations in which heat waves contributed significant error to DIC measurements to motivate the investigation of heat waves in more detail. Then the theoretical background of how light is refracted through heat waves is presented, and the effects of heat waves on displacements and strains computed from DIC are characterized in detail. Finally, different filtering methods are investigated to reduce the displacement and strain errors caused by imaging through heat waves. The overarching conclusions from this work are that errors caused by heat waves are significantly higher than typical noise floors for DIC measurements, and that the errors are difficult to filter because the temporal and spatial frequencies of the errors are in the same range as those of typical signals of interest. Therefore, eliminating or mitigating the effects of heat sources in a DIC experiment is the best solution to minimizing errors caused by heat waves.

Diagnostic Performance of DWI for Differentiating High- From Low-Grade Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The purpose of our study was to review the diagnostic performance of DWI for differentiating high- from low-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were searched up to March 15, 2017. We included diagnostic accuracy studies that used DWI for differentiating high- from low-grade clear cell RCC compared with histopathologic results of Fuhrman grade based on nephrectomy or biopsy specimens in original research articles. Two independent reviewers assessed methodologic quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Sensitivity and specificity of the included studies were pooled and graphically presented using a hierarchic summary ROC plot. For heterogeneity exploration, we assessed the presence of a threshold effect and performed meta-regression analyses. Eight retrospective studies (394 patients with 397 clear cell RCCs) were included. Pooled sensitivity was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.68-0.85) with a specificity of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.70-0.94). A considerable threshold effect was observed with a correlation coefficient of 0.811 (95% CI, 0.248-0.964) between the sensitivity and false-positive rate. At meta-regression analysis, apparent diffusion coefficient (× 10 mm2/s) cutoff value (< 1.57 vs ≥ 1.57; p = 0.03) and location of ROI (solid portion vs whole tumor; p = 0.04) were significant factors affecting heterogeneity. Other factors with regard to patients and tumors, study, and MRI characteristics were not significant (p = 0.17-0.91). DWI shows moderate diagnostic performance for differentiating high-from low-grade clear cell RCC. Substantial heterogeneity was observed because of a threshold effect. Further prospective studies may be needed; all included studies were retrospective.

Calculating the frequency-dependent apparent source location using peak cross-correlation between near-field and far-field microphone arrays

The apparent acoustic source region of jet noise varies as a function of frequency. In this study, the variation of the apparent maximum source location with frequency is considered for an ideally expanded, unheated, Mach-1.8 jet with exit diameter of 20 mm and a Reynolds number of 6.58e6. In this study, the source location is ascertained for one-third octave bands by evaluating peak cross-correlation between near-field linear microphone arrays at three sideline distances and a far-field microphone arc. The impact of the hydrodynamic field on correlation results is considered. Source locations determined by these means are compared with intensity analyses for the same jet [K. L. Gee et al., AIAA Paper 2017–3519 (2017)]. Correlational methods together with filtering can provide a straightforward measure of the acoustic origin as a function of frequency and thus inform optimal microphone array layout for specific frequency regimes.

Observations regarding the noise radiated from full-scale heated, supersonic jets

In this presentation, the characteristics of supersonic jet noise are reviewed. Observations from more than a decade’s worth of measurements of high-performance jet engines and large solid rocket motors are compared against each other and laboratory-scale findings. These include apparent source location and extent, directivity, spectral shape, relative importance of different noise components, and presence of nonlinear propagation effects.

A biophysical approach to daunorubicin interaction with model membranes: relevance for the drug's biological activity

Daunorubicin is extensively used in chemotherapy for diverse types of cancer. Over the years, evidence has suggested that the mechanisms by which daunorubicin causes cytotoxic effects are also associated with interactions at the membrane level. The aim of the present work was to study the interplay between daunorubicin and mimetic membrane models composed of different ratios of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol (Chol). Several biophysical parameters were assessed using liposomes as mimetic model membranes. Thereby, the ability of daunorubicin to partition into lipid bilayers, its apparent location within the membrane and its effect on membrane fluidity were investigated. The results showed that daunorubicin has higher affinity for lipid bilayers composed of DMPC, followed by DMPC : SM, DMPC : Chol and lastly by DMPC : SM : Chol. The addition of SM or Chol into DMPC membranes not only increases the complexity of the model membrane but also decreases its fluidity, which, in turn, reduces the amount of anticancer drug that can partition into these mimetic models. Fluorescence quenching studies suggest a broad distribution of the drug across the bilayer thickness, with a preferential location in the phospholipid tails. The gathered data support that daunorubicin permeates all types of membranes to different degrees, interacts with phospholipids through electrostatic and hydrophobic bonds and causes alterations in the biophysical properties of the bilayers, namely in membrane fluidity. In fact, a decrease in membrane fluidity can be observed in the acyl region of the phospholipids. Ultimately, such outcomes can be correlated with daunorubicin's biological action, where membrane structure and lipid composition have an important role. In fact, the results indicate that the intercalation of daunorubicin between the phospholipids can also take place in rigid domains, such as rafts that are known to be involved in different receptor processes, which are important for cellular function.

Pristine Nocturnal Convective Initiation: A Climatology and Preliminary Examination of Predictability

Abstract The prediction of convective initiation remains a challenge to forecasters in the Great Plains, especially for elevated events at night. This study examines a subset of 287 likely elevated nocturnal convective initiation events that occurred with little or no direct influence from surface boundaries or preexisting convection over a 4-month period of May–August during the summer of 2015. Events were first classified into one of four types based on apparent formation mechanisms and location relative to any low-level jet. A climatology of each of the four types was performed focusing on general spatial tendencies over a large Great Plains domain and initiation timing trends. Simulations from five convection-allowing models available during the Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN) field campaign, along with four versions of a 4-km Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, were used to examine the predictability of these types of convective initiation. A dual-peak pattern for initiation timing was revealed, with one peak near 0400 UTC and another around 0700 UTC. The times and prominence of each peak shifted depending on the region analyzed. Positive thermal advection by the geostrophic wind was present in the majority of events for three types but not for the type occurring without a low-level jet. Models were more deficient with location than timing for the five PECAN models, with the four 4-km WRF Models showing similar location errors and problems with initiating convection at a lower altitude than observed.

Improved evaluation of field experiments by accounting for inherent soil variability

Abstract Well-controlled field experiments are used to test agronomic management practices and evaluate the performance of cultivars in highly managed plots at experimental stations, in breeding nurseries or on-farm. However, the performance of crops and therefore the interpretation of experiments is affected by the inherent soil variability. To avoid large residual errors, replicate measurements or optimized designs are usually helpful but seldom adequately consider the unknown soil variability. The use of spatial covariates, such as proximally sensed data, in the statistical modelling of the target variable may provide a better estimate of such experimental residual variations (errors). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the apparent soil electrical conductivity, topographical parameters and location information (expressed as Gaus-Kruger coordinates) could be used for an enhanced spatial and temporal characterization of the long-term and annual wheat yields within a static, long-term nitrogen fertilizer experiment that included six different forms of nitrogen and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer. Furthermore, this investigation aimed to propose statistical strategies for analysing this background variation by testing ANOVA (Analysis of variance) and ANCOVA (Analysis of covariance). ANCOVA with soil ECa, location information and topographic parameters as covariates improved the accuracy of the yield estimates of the multi-annual means for all treatments. Without these independent variables in ANOVA, the coefficient of determination (R2) was smaller and the root mean square difference (RMSD) was larger than those of ANCOVA (fertilized plots ANOVA: R2 = 0.19, RMSD = 3.26 dt ha−1; ANCOVA: R2 = 0.87, RMSD = 1.29 dt ha−1). In addition to the factor level of fertilization and form of nitrogen fertilizer, ECa was the dominant covariate for the averaged long-term and annual yields. The ECa was measured with different sensors and configurations and represented a significant independent variable. Of the topographic relief parameters, the predictor plancurvature was the dominant independent variable. The inclusion of plot-wise, time-invariant soil and relief parameters significantly improved the discrimination of testing the treatment performance within the long-term field trial. A further application of this approach to other experimental sites and breeding nurseries would likely be highly rewarding.

GAPS IN PROTOPLANETARY DISKS AS SIGNATURES OF PLANETS. III. POLARIZATION

ABSTRACT Polarimetric observations of T Tauri and Herbig Ae/Be stars are a powerful way to image protoplanetary disks. However, interpretation of these images is difficult because the degree of polarization is highly sensitive to the angle of scattering of stellar light off the disk surface. We examine how disks with and without gaps created by planets appear in scattered polarized light as a function of inclination angle. Isophotes of inclined disks without gaps are distorted in polarized light, giving the appearance that the disks are more eccentric or more highly inclined than they truly are. Apparent gap locations are unaffected by polarization, but the gap contrast changes. In face-on disks with gaps, we find that the brightened far edge of the gap scatters less polarized light than the rest of the disk, resulting in slightly decreased contrast between the gap trough and the brightened far edge. In inclined disks, gaps can take on the appearance of being localized “holes” in brightness rather than full axisymmetric structures. Photocenter offsets along the minor axis of the disk in both total intensity and polarized intensity images can be readily explained by the finite thickness of the disk. Alone, polarized scattered light images of disks do not necessarily reveal intrinsic disk structure. However, when combined with total intensity images, the orientation of the disk can be deduced and much can be learned about disk structure and dust properties.