Search results for "Ocean"
showing 10 items of 2919 documents
Nothodissotis (Melastomataceae), a new genus from Atlantic Central Africa, including the new species N. alenensis from Equatorial Guinea
2019
Based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence, a new genus of Melastomataceae (Melastomateae), Nothodissotis Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, gen. nov., is described from Atlantic Central Africa. Nothodissotis is distinguished from other African Melastomateae genera by its calyx-lobes that are notched at apex and asymmetrical (vs. entire and symmetrical). Nothodissotis includes two species: the type species N.barteri (Hook.f.) Veranso-Libalah & G.Kadereit, comb. nov. (syn. Dissotisbarteri Hook.f.), and the new species N.alenensis Veranso-Libalah & O. Lachenaud, sp. nov., described and illustrated here. Both species are restricted to open vegetation on rock outcrops w…
Recent expansion of Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of Melicertus (Penaeus) kerathurus (Crustacea: Decapoda).
2009
We analysed the genetic diversity of Melicertus kerathurus (Penaeidae), a commercially valuable penaeid shrimp that is distributed in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. We examined the polymorphism of a 494 bp DNA segment of the mitochondrial COI region in 173 individuals, sampled in nine Mediterranean and two Atlantic samples, covering the whole range of the species from the tropical waters of the Gulf of Guinea to the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. The mean nucleotide and haplotype diversities were π = 0.00275 and h = 0.718, respectively, for the global data set, with the highest values occurring in the African samples and the lowest in the Adriatic Sea. A clear sam…
Probabilistic characterization of nonlinear systems under Poisson white noise via complex fractional moments
2014
In this paper, the probabilistic characterization of a nonlinear system enforced by Poissonian white noise in terms of complex fractional moments (CFMs) is presented. The main advantage in using such quantities, instead of the integer moments, relies on the fact that, through the CFMs the probability density function (PDF) is restituted in the whole domain. In fact, the inverse Mellin transform returns the PDF by performing integration along the imaginary axis of the Mellin transform, while the real part remains fixed. This ensures that the PDF is restituted in the whole range with exception of the value in zero, in which singularities appear. It is shown that using Mellin transform theorem…
Riesz fractional integrals and complex fractional moments for the probabilistic characterization of random variables
2012
Abstract The aim of this paper is the probabilistic representation of the probability density function (PDF) or the characteristic function (CF) in terms of fractional moments of complex order. It is shown that such complex moments are related to Riesz and complementary Riesz integrals at the origin. By invoking the inverse Mellin transform theorem, the PDF or the CF is exactly evaluated in integral form in terms of complex fractional moments. Discretization leads to the conclusion that with few fractional moments the whole PDF or CF may be restored. Application to the pathological case of an α -stable random variable is discussed in detail, showing the impressive capability to characterize…
Fokker Planck equation solved in terms of complex fractional moments
2014
Abstract In this paper the solution of the Fokker Planck (FPK) equation in terms of (complex) fractional moments is presented. It is shown that by using concepts coming from fractional calculus, complex Mellin transform and related ones, the solution of the FPK equation in terms of a finite number of complex moments may be easily found. It is shown that the probability density function (PDF) solution of the FPK equation is restored in the whole domain, including the trend at infinity with the exception of the value of the PDF in zero.
Poisson white noise parametric input and response by using complex fractional moments
2014
Abstract In this paper the solution of the generalization of the Kolmogorov–Feller equation to the case of parametric input is treated. The solution is obtained by using complex Mellin transform and complex fractional moments. Applying an invertible nonlinear transformation, it is possible to convert the original system into an artificial one driven by an external Poisson white noise process. Then, the problem of finding the evolution of the probability density function (PDF) for nonlinear systems driven by parametric non-normal white noise process may be addressed in determining the PDF evolution of a corresponding artificial system with external type of loading.
Distinct hematite populations from simultaneous fitting of Mössbauer spectra from Meridiani Planum, Mars
2010
[1] At Meridiani Planum, Mars, hematite occurs as a lag of ∼5 mm diameter spherules and their fragments and within the matrix of the sulfate-rich outcrop as <30 μm particles. Well crystalline and chemically pure bulk hematite undergoes a magnetic transition at ∼264 K (Morin transition) that can be detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy and is within the Martian diurnal temperature range. We analyzed outcrop and lag hematite Mossbauer spectra obtained by the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Opportunity as a function of temperature using a simultaneous fitting procedure to determine the Morin temperature and the temperature interval over which it occurs. Mossbauer spectra for terrestrial hematite-bea…
Overview of the Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover Mission to Meridiani Planum: Eagle Crater to Purgatory Ripple
2006
The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity touched down at Meridiani Planum in January 2004 and since then has been conducting observations with the Athena science payload. The rover has traversed more than 5 km, carrying out the first outcrop-scale investigation of sedimentary rocks on Mars. The rocks of Meridiani Planum are sandstones formed by eolian and aqueous reworking of sand grains that are composed of mixed fine-grained siliciclastics and sulfates. The siliciclastic fraction was produced by chemical alteration of a precursor basalt. The sulfates are dominantly Mg-sulfates and also include Ca-sulfates and jarosite. The stratigraphic section observed to date is dominated by eolian bedfor…
Athena MIMOS II Mössbauer spectrometer investigation
2003
[1] Mossbauer spectroscopy is a powerful tool for quantitative mineralogical analysis of Fe-bearing materials. The miniature Mossbauer spectrometer MIMOS II is a component of the Athena science payload launched to Mars in 2003 on both Mars Exploration Rover missions. The instrument has two major components: (1) a rover-based electronics board that contains power supplies, a dedicated central processing unit, memory, and associated support electronics and (2) a sensor head that is mounted at the end of the instrument deployment device (IDD) for placement of the instrument in physical contact with soil and rock. The velocity transducer operates at a nominal frequency of ∼25 Hz and is equipped…
Evidence for mechanical and chemical alteration of iron-nickel meteorites on Mars: Process insights for Meridiani Planum
2011
The weathering of meteorites found on Mars involves chemical and physical processes that can provide clues to climate conditions at the location of their discovery. Beginning on sol 1961, the Opportunity rover encountered three large iron meteorites within a few hundred meters of each other. In order of discovery, these rocks have been assigned the unofficial names Block Island, Shelter Island, and Mackinac Island. Each rock presents a unique but complimentary set of features that increase our understanding of weathering processes at Meridiani Planum. Significant morphologic characteristics interpretable as weathering features include (1) a large pit in Block Island, lined with delicate iro…