Radiometric Method Research Articles

Simultaneous intensity projection for projector response computation with application to an active radiometric calibration

One of the most important sources of errors in digital fringe projection (DFP) systems is the nonlinearity in the response of the projector when it uses the three-step phase retrieval algorithm. Thus, it is necessary to increase the accuracy without affecting the efficiency. In this sense, the radiometric rectification methods are used. In this paper, an active radiometric rectification method for digital fringe projection is proposed. This proposal consists in two improvements of traditional active techniques: first, parallel intensity projection is used to obtain the projector response which requires only four dot patterns; and second, a method is provided for the calculation of the inverse polynomial that guarantees symmetry with respect to the response of the projector. Experimental results, in a digital fringe projection system, show that the root-mean-square phase error improves 6.3 times using this proposal.

Radiometric Principle-Based Radiometric Normalization Method for SAR Images Mosaic

Radiometric normalization minimizes the radiometric inconsistencies between images in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images mosaic. However, the radiometric principle of SAR have not been fully considered by the existing methods. To this issue, a radiometric principle-based radiometric normalization method is proposed. First, image areas with consistent coverage areas in object space and approximate rough ground surface between images are extracted as adjustment candidates based on imaging principle. Then, considering the radiometric characteristic of SAR image, all images are taken as a whole to solve the radiometric adjustment model, which transfers radiometric normalization into the least square optimization. Finally, a global quantization strategy is used to ensure radiometric consistency during orthorectification and mosaicking. The experimental results of Gaofen-3 SAR images demonstrate that the proposed method has the best performance, and can effectively and stably eliminate the radiometric differences between images.

A General Relative Radiometric Correction Method for Vignetting and Chromatic Aberration of Multiple CCDs: Take the Chinese Series of Gaofen Satellite Level-0 Images for Example

The relative radiometric correction for Level-0 images captured by spaceborne push-broom imaging system faces the problems of vignetting, chromatic aberration, brightness saturation difference, misalignment, and so on. This article proposed a general relative radiometric correction method, which was applied to Gaofen series satellite Level-0 images. In the course of vignetting calibration, the proposed method based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) did not use side-slither data and the DN_MAX truncation method can solve brightness saturation difference. During chromatic aberration calibration, the subpixel-based phase correlation algorithm was first used to register adjacent CCDs, and then, the proposed global optimization method was adapted to calibrate multiple CCDs. The fixed calibration parameters for vignetting and chromatic aberration calculated by ridge regression and Newton’s method can be directly applied to correct other orbital Level-0 images. To verify the robustness and universality, Level-0 images of GF-1B, GF-1C, GF-1D, and GF-2 satellites were chosen for experiments, and the results were better than the existing methods. In addition, some official Level-1 products of GF-1B and GF-1C, covering particularly dark or bright surfaces (e.g., snow, sea, and cloud), were used to compare with the calibrated images of the proposed method. Results showed that relative radiometric correction by applying the independently estimated calibration parameters in this work achieved satisfactory results without the defects existing in official Level-1 products. Finally, results of relative radiometric correction of 30 orbital Level-0 images around the world further strengthened the conclusion that the estimated calibration parameters can be reused in other regions or seasons.

MACA: A Relative Radiometric Correction Method for Multiflight Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Images Based on Concurrent Satellite Imagery

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) offers an unprecedented observing potential with ultrahigh spatial and temporal resolutions and high flexibility. However, it remains difficult to solve the radiometric inconsistency of multiflight UAV imagery. This study proposed a relative radiometric correction method for multiflight UAV images based on concurrent satellite imagery (MACA) consisting of two steps, i.e., cross-sensor spectral fitting (CSF) and fine-resolution spectral calibration (FSC). In CSF, relationships of multiflight UAV reflectance and the concurrent satellite reflectance were established for generating the fine-resolution reference imagery. Subsequently, a relative radiometric correction model was constructed in the FSC step to correct multiflight UAV imagery. The performance of MACA was evaluated using multiflight UAV datasets acquired on six cropland sites and a concurrent Sentinel-2 image. Compared with four typical or state-of-the-art relative correction methods, the correction using MACA yielded better consistency between UAV and Sentinel-2 data, regardless of individual spectral bands (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{R}^{2} =0.79$ </tex-math></inline-formula>&#x2013;0.86, root mean square error (RMSE) <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$=0.004$ </tex-math></inline-formula>&#x2013;0.019) or vegetation indices (VIs) (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{R}^{2} =0.80$ </tex-math></inline-formula>&#x2013;0.86, RMSE <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$=0.024$ </tex-math></inline-formula>&#x2013;0.054). Moreover, the prediction of plant nitrogen accumulation (PNA) based on the MACA-corrected UAV data had the highest accuracy and showed the spatial variation most significantly within and between fields for all sites. The results demonstrated that MACA was more robust in reducing spectral mismatch across sensors and eliminating the subjective error of pseudo-invariant features (PIFs) selection. MACA has the potential to be used to cross-calibrate multisensor data into a consistent standard, which will benefit multisensor synergies.

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A MULTI-FREQUENCY RADIOMETRIC COMPLEX FOR UAV DETECTION IN DIFFERENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Background. Technologies for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of various classes are rapidly developing in Ukraine and the world. Small in terms of weight and dimensions and almost invisible for most information and measurement systems, UAVs began to be used in various industries - from the national economy to multimedia and advertising. Together with their useful application, new dangers and incidents have appeared - a collision of UAVs with people, structures, cultural monuments, the transportation of criminal goods, terrorist acts, flights over prohibited areas and within airports. UAV detection and control of their movement in populated areas and near critical objects are becoming one of the most important tasks of air traffic control services. The existing systems of the optical, acoustic and radar ranges cannot effectively perform such tasks in difficult meteorological conditions. As an addition to the already developed detection systems, it is proposed to use radiometric systems that register the UAV's own radio-thermal radiation. The authors have developed the theoretical foundations for the construction of multifrequency complexes necessary for the specification of their structural schemes.&#x0D; Objective. The purpose of the paper is development of a scheme for a multi-frequency radiometric complex for detecting UAVs in different meteorological conditions based on optimal algorithms.&#x0D; Methods. Analysis of the experience in the development of radiometric systems and methods for dealing with fluctuations in the gain of receivers, optimal operations for processing signals of intrinsic radio-thermal radiation, investigations of the probabilistic characteristics of detection and analysis of the domestic market of microwave technology developers will make it possible to develop a scheme of a multifrequency radiometric complex that will perform reliable measurements in various meteorological conditions.&#x0D; Results. A block diagram of a four-frequency radiometric complex is proposed, which can be implemented in practice and is capable of performing reliable measurements in various meteorological conditions. The frequencies 10 GHz, 20 GHz, 35 GHz, and 94 GHz were chosen as the resonant frequencies for tuning the radiometric receivers. For a given design and characteristics of receivers, the probabilities of detecting a UAV were calculated depending on the range of its flight.&#x0D; Conclusions. From the results of the analysis of the existing achievements in the development of radiometric systems in Ukraine and the elemental base of microwave components available on the market, it follows that the Ku and K bands have the worst characteristics of spatial resolution, but are all-weather. The Ka and W bands are highly sensitive to radio-thermal radiation against the background of a clear sky, but are completely "blind" in a cloudy atmosphere and in rain. The results of calculating the detection ranges with a probability of 0.9 lie in the range from 1 to 3 km, depending on the condition of the atmosphere. These results coincide with the known detection ranges of optical, acoustic and radar systems, but the selected parameters of the receivers do not correspond to potential world achievements and can be improved.

Partial Discharge Location Through Application of Stationary Discrete Wavelet Transform on UHF Signals

The degradation level of high voltage equipment insulation systems can be estimated from the monitoring of partial discharge (PD) activity. The radiometric method stands out as one of the most promising methods for monitoring these discharges, however, in substations, the PD signals may be susceptible to external interference and, in some cases, hide by background noise. This work presents the application of the stationary discrete wavelet transform (SDWT) over PD signals measured by bio-inspired printed monopole antennas (PMA) operating at the UHF frequency range (300-3000 MHz). In addition to the filtering from the SDWT, the use of the SDWT scaling coefficients energy is evaluated as a support tool for the location of PD. The PD signals are investigated under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and; high SNR with a high pulse repetition rate. These signals are obtained from a laboratory setup composed by a discharge generating oil cell, and acquired through a bio-inspired PMA. After the application of the SDWT over the evaluated signals, together with the energy calculation using different mother wavelets, it is verified that the proposed methodology provides an efficient filtering result, being appropriate for PD detection. From the energy of SDWT scaling coefficients, it is possible to highlight the constant delays between the detection of consecutive pulses, minimally interfering over the time differences of arrival and providing better location results.

Troglitazone-Induced PRODH/POX-Dependent Apoptosis Occurs in the Absence of Estradiol or ERβ in ER-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Simple SummaryPRODH/POX (proline dehydrogenase/proline oxidase) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes proline degradation generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Estrogens limit proline availability for PRODH/POX by stimulating collagen biosynthesis. It has been considered that estrogens determine efficiency of troglitazone (TGZ)-induced PRODH/POX-dependent apoptosis in breast cancer cells. The studies were performed in wild-type and PRODH/POX-silenced estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells and estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 cells. DNA and collagen biosynthesis were determined by radiometric method, ROS production was measured by fluorescence assay, protein expression was determined by Western blot and proline concentration by LC/MS analysis. We found that: i/TGZ-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 occurs only in the absence of estradiol or ERβ, ii/the process is mediated by PRODH/POX, iii/and is facilitated by proline availability for PRODH/POX by TGZ-dependent inhibition of collagen biosynthesis (proline utilizing process). The data suggest that combined TGZ and anti-estrogen treatment could be considered in experimental therapy of ER negative breast cancers.The impact of estradiol on troglitazone (TGZ)-induced proline dehydrogenase/proline oxidase (PRODH/POX)-dependent apoptosis was studied in wild-type and PRODH/POX-silenced estrogen receptor (ER) dependent MCF-7 cells and ER-independent MDA-MB-231 cells. DNA and collagen biosynthesis were determined by radiometric method, prolidase activity evaluated by colorimetric method, ROS production was measured by fluorescence assay. Protein expression was determined by Western blot and proline concentration by LC/MS analysis. PRODH/POX degrades proline yielding reactive oxygen species (ROS). Estrogens stimulate collagen biosynthesis utilizing free proline and limiting its availability for PRODH/POX-dependent apoptosis. TGZ cytotoxicity was highly pronounced in wild-type MDA-MB-231 cells cultured in medium without estradiol or in the cells cultured in medium with estradiol but deprived of ERβ (by ICI-dependent degradation), while in PRODH/POX-silenced cells the process was not affected. The TGZ cytotoxicity was accompanied by increase in PRODH/POX expression, ROS production, expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9 and PARP, inhibition of collagen biosynthesis, prolidase activity and decrease in intracellular proline concentration. The phenomena were not observed in PRODH/POX-silenced cells. The data suggest that TGZ-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells cultured in medium without estradiol or deprived of ERβ is mediated by PRODH/POX and the process is facilitated by proline availability for PRODH/POX by TGZ-dependent inhibition of collagen biosynthesis. It suggests that combined TGZ and antiestrogen treatment could be considered in experimental therapy of estrogen receptor negative breast cancers.

Study of Deep Structure of the Kimberlite Pipe Named After M. Lomonosov of the Arkhangelsk Diamondiferous Province Obtained by Joint Using of Passive Seismic and Radiometric Methods

Study of Deep Structure of the Kimberlite Pipe Named After M. Lomonosov of the Arkhangelsk Diamondiferous Province Obtained by Joint Using of Passive Seismic and Radiometric Methods

Ion-imprinted resin for use in an automated solid phase extraction system for determining 90Sr in environmental and human samples

In 90Sr analysis, determining its daughter 90Y improves the sensitivity of the radiometric methods. We found that to imprint a cavity made of [Y(6-(4-Vinylphenylcarbamoyl)pyridine-2-carboxylate)3] into a polystyrene skeleton yields a solid phase extraction resin with high selectivity for Y and Ln(III) over transition metals, alkaline, and alkaline-earth cations. We used this resin in an automated chromatography system to extract 90Y from milk, grass, vegetables, soil, sediments, water, human bones, and milk teeth samples. We found that the ion-imprinted resin could be used to separate light Ln(III) using a pH gradient, favoring the targeting of molecules used in nuclear medicine.

Dicroidium (Zuberia) zuberi (Szajnocha) Archangelsky from exceptional Carnian leaf litters of the Ischigualasto Formation, westernmost Gondwana

ABSTRACT The Carnian Ischigualasto Formation of Argentina is known worldwide by its great abundance of palaeovertebrates, including the oldest dinosaurs and a palaeoflora represented by Onslow-type palynofloras, permineralizations, and compressions of foliage. However, thin deposits composed exclusively by cuticles are also preserved in this unit. This unusual type of preservation, where cuticles have accumulated as thousands of superimposed specimens without sediment between them, represents leaf litters of autochthonous or parauchthonous origin. Leaf litters are preserved into periodically flooded abandoned fluvial channels, which received accumulations of leaves from the riparian vegetation that, combined with pyroclastic inputs, generated ideal diagenetic conditions for their fossilisation. The excellent preservation of the cuticles allows the description of fine epidermal and cuticular features. One of the most common species in the Ischigualasto Formation, Dicroidium (Zuberia) zuberi (Szajnocha) Archangelsky, is described using optical and scanning electronic microscopy. Cuticles are thick, amphistomatic, with stomata sunken and randomly distributed, and with papillae on epidermal and subsidiary cells. Comparisons with previous hypostomatic records of the species suggest phenotypic plasticity of this Umkomasiaceae species. Palynological assemblages recovered from the same deposits indicate humid conditions under a seasonal climate. The vegetation flourished after a biotic turnover dated at 228.91 Ma by radiometric method.

Direct reflectance transformation methodology for drone-based hyperspectral imaging

Multi- and hyperspectral cameras on drones can be valuable tools in environmental monitoring. A significant shortcoming complicating their usage in quantitative remote sensing applications is insufficient robust radiometric calibration methods. In a direct reflectance transformation method, the drone is equipped with a camera and an irradiance sensor, allowing transformation of image pixel values to reflectance factors without ground reference data. This method requires the sensors to be calibrated with higher accuracy than what is usually required by the empirical line method (ELM), but consequently it offers benefits in robustness, ease of operation, and ability to be used on Beyond-Visual Line of Sight flights. The objective of this study was to develop and assess a drone-based workflow for direct reflectance transformation and implement it on our hyperspectral remote sensing system. A novel atmospheric correction method is also introduced, using two reference panels, but, unlike in the ELM, the correction is not directly affected by changes in the illumination. The sensor system consists of a hyperspectral camera (Rikola HSI, by Senop) and an onboard irradiance spectrometer (FGI AIRS), which were both given thorough radiometric calibrations. In laboratory tests and in a flight experiment, the FGI AIRS tilt-corrected irradiances had accuracy better than 1.9% at solar zenith angles up to 70°. The system's low-altitude reflectance factor accuracy was assessed in a flight experiment using reflectance reference panels, where the normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE) were less than ±2% for the light panels (25% and 50%) and less than ±4% for the dark panels (5% and 10%). In the high-altitude images, taken at 100–150 m altitude, the NRMSEs without atmospheric correction were within 1.4%–8.7% for VIS bands and 2.0%–18.5% for NIR bands. Significant atmospheric effects appeared already at 50 m flight altitude. The proposed atmospheric correction was found to be practical and it decreased the high-altitude NRMSEs to 1.3%–2.6% for VIS bands and to 2.3%–5.3% for NIR bands. Overall, the workflow was found to be efficient and to provide similar accuracies as the ELM, but providing operational advantages in such challenging scenarios as in forest monitoring, large-scale autonomous mapping tasks, and real-time applications. Tests in varying illumination conditions showed that the reflectance factors of the gravel and vegetation targets varied up to 8% between sunny and cloudy conditions due to reflectance anisotropy effects, while the direct reflectance workflow had better accuracy. This suggests that the varying illumination conditions have to be further accounted for in drone-based in quantitative remote sensing applications.

An LC-MS/MS assay and complementary web-based tool to quantify and predict compound accumulation in E. coli.

Novel classes of broad-spectrum antibiotics have been extremely difficult to discover, largely due to the impermeability of the Gram-negative membranes coupled with a poor understanding of the physicochemical properties a compound should possess to promote its accumulation inside the cell. To address this challenge, numerous methodologies for assessing intracellular compound accumulation in Gram-negative bacteria have been established, including classic radiometric and fluorescence-based methods. The recent development of accumulation assays that utilize liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have circumvented the requirement for labeled compounds, enabling assessment of a substantially broader range of small molecules. Our unbiased study of accumulation trends in Escherichia coli using an LC-MS/MS-based assay led to the development of the eNTRy rules, which stipulate that a compound is most likely to accumulate in E. coli if it has an ionizable Nitrogen, has low Three-dimensionality and is relatively Rigid. To aid in the implementation of the eNTRy rules, we developed a complementary web tool, eNTRyway, which calculates relevant properties and predicts compound accumulation. Here we provide a comprehensive protocol for analysis and prediction of intracellular accumulation of small molecules in E. coli using an LC-MS/MS-based assay (which takes ~2 d) and eNTRyway, a workflow that is readily adoptable by any microbiology, biochemistry or chemical biology laboratory.

SAR Imaging Distortions Induced by Topography: A Compact Analytical Formulation for Radiometric Calibration

Modeling of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging distortions induced by topography is addressed and a novel radiometric calibration method is proposed in this paper. An analytical formulation of the problem is primarily provided in purely geometrical terms, by adopting the theoretical notions of the differential geometry of surfaces. The novel and conceptually simple formulation relies on a cylindrical coordinate system, whose longitudinal axis corresponds to the sensor flight direction. A 3D representation of the terrain shape is then incorporated into the SAR imaging model by resorting to a suitable parametrization of the observed ground surface. Within this analytical framework, the area-stretching function quantitatively expresses in geometrical terms the inherent local radiometric distortions. This paper establishes its analytical expression in terms of the magnitude of the gradient of the look-angle function uniquely defined in the image domain, thus resulting in being mathematically concise and amenable to a straightforward implementation. The practical relevance of the formulation is also illustrated from a computational perspective, by elucidating its effective discrete implementation. In particular, an inverse cylindrical mapping approach is adopted, thus avoiding the drawback of pixel area fragmentation and integration required in forward-mapping-based approaches. The effectiveness of the proposed SAR radiometric calibration method is experimentally demonstrated by using COSMO-SkyMed SAR data acquired over a mountainous area in Italy.

Комплексная гигиеническая оценка территорий в районе размещения строящегося регионального центра по обращению с радиоактивными отходами

The Regional center of conditioning and long-term storage of radioactive waste is being constructed in Primorsky Krai, where radioactive waste (RW) management сoncerns have been especially acute. The project involves intensification of activities related to RW management, as well as to building the new technology block for RW reprocessing, storage facility and boiler house. The study was aimed to perform environmental impact assessment of the territories in the vicinity of the Regional center of conditioning and long-term storage of radioactive waste prior to the facility commissioning. Radiation situation was assessed by radiometric and spectrometric methods; the levels of heavy metals were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry. Heavy metal (lead, nickel, copper, etc.) and arsenic levels exceeding or, in certain cases, similar to maximum permissible concentration (MPC) were found in soil and ground. Radiation situation is characterized by background levels of artificial radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr in environmental media. Quality of water in wells and boreholes was largely compliant with the requirements established for groundwater used in decentralized water supply systems, with the exception of boreholes, in which the arsenic levels exceeding MPC were detected. The average annual public dose was 0.046 mSv excluding natural regional background radiation, which was below the dose limit. Carcinogenic health risks induced by radiation and chemical factors was 4×10–6 and 6×10–6 respectively. The obtained results form the basis for setting reference values of environmental contamination prior to the Regional center of conditioning and long-term storage of radioactive waste commissioning and can be used for regulatory supervision during the facility operation.

Fissure Ridges: A Reappraisal of Faulting and Travertine Deposition (Travitonics)

The mechanical discontinuities in the upper crust (i.e., faults and related fractures) lead to the uprising of geothermal fluids to the Earth’s surface. If fluids are enriched in Ca2+ and HCO3-, masses of CaCO3 (i.e., travertine deposits) can form mainly due to the CO2 leakage from the thermal waters. Among other things, fissure-ridge-type deposits are peculiar travertine bodies made of bedded carbonate that gently to steeply dip away from the apical part where a central fissure is located, corresponding to the fracture trace intersecting the substratum; these morpho-tectonic features are the most useful deposits for tectonic and paleoseismological investigation, as their development is contemporaneous with the activity of faults leading to the enhancement of permeability that serves to guarantee the circulation of fluids and their emergence. Therefore, the fissure ridge architecture sheds light on the interplay among fault activity, travertine deposition, and ridge evolution, providing key geo-chronologic constraints due to the fact that travertine can be dated by different radiometric methods. In recent years, studies dealing with travertine fissure ridges have been considerably improved to provide a large amount of information. In this paper, we report the state of the art of knowledge on this topic refining the literature data as well as adding original data, mainly focusing on the fissure ridge morphology, internal architecture, depositional facies, growth mechanisms, tectonic setting in which the fissure ridges develop, and advantages of using the fissure ridges for neotectonic and seismotectonic studies.

AUTOMATED REFLECTANCE TARGET DETECTION FOR AUTOMATED VICARIOUS RADIOMETRIC CORRECTION OF UAV IMAGES

Abstract. Recently, with increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), radiometric calibration of UAV images has become an important pre-processing step for application such as vegetation mapping, crop field monitoring, etc. In order to obtain accurate spectral reflectance, some UAVs measure irradiance at the time of image acquisition. However, most of UAV systems do not have such irradiance sensors. In these cases, vicarious radiometric correction method has to be used. Digital numbers (DNs) of imaged ground reflectance targets are measured and spectral reflectance is acquired from with known reflectance values of the targets. For automated vicarious calibration, a technique for automatically detecting image location of ground reflectance targets has been developed. In this study, we report an improved version of automated reflectance target detection and a new semi-automatic reflectance target detection developed. Test results showed that among the 14 reflectance targets, 13 targets were detected with the automatic target detection method. The undetected target was extracted by the proposed semi-automatic target detect method. Additional test was conducted on the remaining targets to confirm the applicability of our semi-automatic target detection method. As a result, other targets were also detected. The proposed automated and semi-automated target detection method can be used for automated vicarious calibration of UAV images.

New ages of the world's largest-ever marsupial: Diprotodon optatum from Pleistocene Australia

The extinction of large-bodied terrestrial ‘megafauna’ during earlier phases of the Quaternary had a significant impact on the transforming structure of ecosystems. However, the causes of such losses remains difficult to determine in part because of a paucity of reliable geochronological information about the taxa involved. This is especially true for continents such as Australia where the majority of extinct species have never been dated using radiometric and/or luminescence methods. Here we add new understanding about the geochronology of the world's largest-ever marsupial, the giant wombat-like Diprotodon optatum, an iconic member of the large herbivore guild of Pleistocene Australia. We present 28 new direct U-series ages (dentine) and 10 luminescence ages (sediments) for D. optatum fossils from three sites in tropical north and subtropical eastern Australia. The luminescence ages lie close to saturation for the tropical northern site of Floraville and therefore indicate minimum ages, and sediments from Gowrie Creek in the Darling Downs were mixed and can only be stated as a likely age range. Nevertheless the results assist in our broader understanding of the timing of persistence of the species. Our results demonstrate that the species roamed the northern tropics at least until the mid-Pleistocene (ca. 420 ka). They likely remained widespread during Marine Isotope Stage 5 (ca. 110 ka) and were abundant on the Darling Downs of eastern Australia. The youngest of the new ages that we report (ca. 60 ka) are from Neds Gully on the Darling Downs, a catchment previously considered by some to contain among the last survivors of the now-extinct megafauna. The new dated record demonstrates that deposits of varying ages occur within the catchment. Consequently, existing species lists that treat Neds Gully as a single faunal assemblage are likely significantly time-averaged and overinflated in terms of palaeo-diversity.

THE MAIN PARAMETERS OF IRON METABOLISM IN PATIENTS WITH UROTELIAL BLADDER CANCER AT DIFFERENT DEVELOPMENT STAGES OF MALIGNANT NEOPLASM ANEMIA

The article presents information about the protein responsible for the iron depot in the body – ferritin. Its physiological role and clinical significance are demonstrated. A batophenanthroline method was used to determine the range of iron in the blood serum and the range of the total iron-binding capacity of the blood serum. The range of unsaturated iron-binding capacity of blood serum was calculated as the difference between total iron-binding capacity in blood serum and the range of iron in blood serum. The transferrin saturation coefficient of iron was defined as the ratio of the content of iron in blood serum to the total iron-binding capacity in blood serum. The range of transferrin was determined by the rate of the total iron-binding capacity in blood serum, and ferritin using the radiometric method. The dynamics of changes in ferritin content in malignant neoplasm anemia in patients with bladder cancer has been demonstrated. The conclusion about the importance of this parameter for laboratory diagnosis of iron deficiency and anemia of malignant neoplasms is made.

Assessment of a naturally occurring high background radiation area with elevated levels of thorium along coastal Odisha, India using radiometric methods

The present study evaluates the enrichment and distribution of radioelements along the eastern coast of India. India possesses the second largest reserve of thorium bearing monazite in the world, in terms of heavy minerals present primarily along its long coastline. Radioelement estimation of about 30 km long beach area along the eastern coast of India is reported and implications discussed. A total number of 822 data points were studied using a portable Geiger Muller counter, to estimate the variation of dose rates, due to the ambient radionuclides along two different trends. One was parallel (northeast-southwest) and the second one perpendicular to the coastline. Pre-selected samples from in-situ radiometric surveys on the heavy mineral placers were studied further, for quantitative estimation of the abundance of radioactive elements primarily uranium and thorium, using a High Purity Germanium detector. Radioelement concentration assessment of core samples (depth ~2 m), were studied from two different beaches. Radiological parameters like radium equivalent, annual effective doserate and absorbed dose rate has been calculated based on the 238U, 232Th and 40K concentrations. Heavy mineral placers along the shoreline indicate a very high thorium (avg - 2990.22 Bq kg−1) which is due to the extensive distribution indicative of monazite. The coastal area also exhibits relatively low uranium (avg - 319.1 Bq kg−1). Based on its high thorium concentration, the area can be considered as a high natural background radiation area. Based on the concentrations of uranium and thorium, the weathering conditions and depositional environment prevalent along the beach areas have been discussed.

Study on Local to Global Radiometric Balance for Remotely Sensed Imagery

Due to the difference of factors, such as lighting conditions, shooting environments, and time, there is compound brightness difference between adjacent images, which includes local brightness difference and radiometric difference. This paper proposed a method to eliminate the compound brightness difference of adjacent images after mosaicking, named local to global radiometric balance. It includes the brightness compensation model and brightness approach model. Firstly, the weighted average value of each row and column of image are calculated to express the brightness change; secondly, according to weighted average value, the brightness compensation model is built; thirdly, combined with the blocking method, the brightness compensation model is applied to image. Based on the value after above process, the brightness approach model is established to make the gray value of adjacent images approach to the mosaic line. In the paper, the standard deviation, MSE (mean square error) and mean value are used as the measure indices of the effect of brightness balance. The three groups of experimental results show that compared with the brightness stretch method, the histogram equalization method and the radiometric balance method, the local to global radiometric balance method not only realizes compound brightness balance, but also has better visual effects than others.