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In this work, for the first time, an exact solution of the contact problem of interaction with a multilayer base of two semi-infinite stamps, the ends of which are parallel to each other, is constructed. The stamps are assumed to be absolutely rigid, and the distance between them can have any finite value. The task is an important stage in the algorithm for constructing models of a new type of crack in materials of different rheologies. The mechanism of destruction of the medium by cracks of a new type is radically different from the mechanism of destruction of the medium by Griffiths cracks, and has so far been little studied. Griffiths formed his cracks with a smooth border as a result of compression from the sides of an elliptical cavity in the plate. Cracks of a new type have a piecewise smooth border, resulting from the replacement of an ellipse with a rectangle compressed from the sides. The problem considered in this article can be considered as the result of the formation of a new type of crack with absolutely rigid banks and a deformable lower boundary. Thanks to it, after the solution, it becomes possible to switch to deformable stamps and a crack of a new type in the rheological medium. The solution of this problem turned out to be possible due to the construction of exact solutions of the Wiener–Hopf integral equations on a finite segment. This paper shows how the solution of one of the previously unsolved problems allows us to investigate and solve exactly other problems and to identify previously unknown properties and resonances. As a result of constructing an exact solution to the problem, the fact that the solution of dynamic contact problems for stamp systems is not unique was confirmed and a dispersion equation for finding resonant frequencies was constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While much has been written about how imperialist and Indian nationalist historiographies have approached 1857, scant attention has been paid to how it has been remembered in Pakistan. This article endeavours to explore the ways in which 1857 has been articulated by the state in India and Pakistan through a study of their commemorative postage stamps. On the face of it, India's emphasis on nonviolence and Pakistan's quest for an Islamic history make 1857 a misfit within the historiographies of both states. However, the paper outlines that during the centenary in 1957, both India and Pakistan commemorated 1857 while maintaining some discursive distance from it. While Pakistan chose to memorialise it as the beginning of its struggle for independence, India recessed it within the broader framework of independence itself. The paper goes on to demonstrate how this position has changed drastically over the years. In order to weave a composite and inclusive history of the country, India now celebrates the legacy of 1857 by appropriating it within the frames of national unity, patriotism, and anti-imperialism. Pakistan, on the other hand, uses 1857 merely as a means to segue into a discussion of reform efforts led by the subcontinent's Muslim elite, thereby relegating it to the background of the Pakistan movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The teaching design based on the famous chemists in the history of chemistry is an important and indispensable ideological and political teaching step in the organic chemistry. As a type of characteristic teaching resource and tool, the stamps about chemical theme contain abundant ideological and political elements. In this paper, aiming at the organic chemistry course of agronomy, we carry out the teaching practice using the chemists theme stamps, "Giessen School", as an example. We summarize the brief history of the chemistry theme stamps, analyze the feasibility and significance of the application in organic chemistry teaching, and explore the method, effect and reflection on teaching by the chemists theme stamps. In summary, the purpose of this paper is to provide a useful reference for the development on the chemists theme stamps in organic chemistry teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preventive archaeological research carried out on the Medgidia Elenistic 1 site, by MINA Constanța, which took place between November 2022 and July 2023, brought to light a rich and beautiful ceramic material of all kinds, fromGetic and Scythian hand modeled pottery by - to luxury black-glazed Greek vessels, gray pottery and, of course, a rich batch of Greek amphorae and their fragments. In general terms, the discovered material falls chronologically between the IV and III BC.Among the amphoric material, the majority on the site, a special place is occupied by the amphoric stamps (67), coming from6 Greek producing centers, bothMediterranean - Thasos, Cnidos, Rhodes, and from the Pontic ones - Heraclea, Sinope, Chersones. Among the stamps from Medgidia, some specimens of unknown centers were also noticed, some present for the 􀌑rst time in the W-NW area of the Black Sea, as well as, we believe, a new Sinopean producer. Most of the stamps belong to the Sinopean amphoric production - 34, which represents 60% of the total of this lot. From a chronological point of view, the batch of stamps discovered on the Medgidia Elenistic 1 site falls between the 􀌑rst half of the century 4th and mid-century 3rd century Chr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents 23 Greek amphora stamps discovered in the last 10 years in the area of the ancient city of Callatis, during archaeological excavations conducted by one of the authors of this article. The artifacts come from six surveyed locations: the area of the flattened tumuli from Arsa, the Hagieni forest, the Castelul de Apă area, the western area of the Coloniști neighborhood (Mangalia), the former fish farm Limanu, and La Movile area. All the stamps are of Sinopean origin, covering the chronological framework between the 3rd decade of the 4th century BC and the 1st decade of the 2nd century BC. Most of the items in this lot are magistrates' stamps, while only two being potter΄s stamps. It should be noted that most of the stamps are dated in the 3rd century BC, which in general terms, reflects the period of maximum commercialization of liquid goods from Sinope (wine and olive oil) in the northwestern and western Pontic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, structures, built on reclamation sites in the Eastern Black Sea region are quite remarkable. As one of them, Şenol Güneş Medical Park Arena Sport Complex, which is located in Akyazı town of Trabzon city, is one of the rare areas in Turkey. It is very important to monitor surface deformations on this type of unfamiliar and very expensive constructions for protecting human life and property and for taking necessary precautions in advance. Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI), based on the analysis of time series of multiple Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, is an invaluable geodetic tool to measure surface deformations. So, in this study, it is aimed to monitor the surface deformations on the reclamation site between the dates 20/12/2016–28/01/2020 by StaMPS (Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers)-PSI technique using 96 Sentinel-1 SAR images. For processing, integration of European Space Agency (ESA) SentiNel Application Platform (SNAP) and StaMPS programs are used. After processing, surface deformations are determined as annual velocities (millimeter(mm)/year(y)) of PS points in the reclamation area along the line-of-sight (LOS) direction between the values −9.7 mm/y and 3.9 mm/y with an average standard deviation of 0.7 mm/y. From the results, it is understood that the area demonstrates very heterogeneous deformations rates, which occur on both horizontal and vertical directions because of the diversity and being on the reclamation site of the structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring and determining landslides in dam reservoirs is very crucial as it is one of the main factors of dam failures in the world. Coruh river basin is one of the most important river basin in the Northeast part of Turkey which accompanies five big dams. Although persistent scatterer InSAR (PSInSAR) method is a powerful remote sensing technique which can measure and monitor displacements of the Earth's surface over time, its validation is a challenging issue because of the heterogeneous PS data. In this study, the efficiency of PSInSAR is investigated by proposing two different validation methods in order to see the consistency of the determined mean deformation velocities obtained with series of Sentinel-1A SAR-images. In the first method, 3D coordinates of reference points are projected to 1D displacement values in line of sight direction and then compared with the radar displacements of PS points. In the second method, new displacement values of PS points around reference points are identified from an interpolation map in order to be compared with the original displacements of reference points. In the end, it is showed that the displacements found by PSInSAR method are consistent with the reference points' displacements measured in the study area. Finally, this work's specific objectives are to present solutions to the challenging validation problem, to show the effectiveness of PSInSAR method and to describe the remaining challenges in PS analysis of landslide applications in dam areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the development of novel blockchain technology for certificate management system using cognitive image steganography techniques, in the sense, a secured approach of managing educational certificates using the blockchain and digital image steganography, providing an edge over existing systems is dealt with in greater detail. The provision for educational and governmental certificate authentication falls under the broad category of digital certificate issuance, authentication, and verification. Issuing certificates in this category can be difficult and time-consuming. Currently, existing systems for certificate management cannot guarantee data security and system trust. Using blockchain can solve this problem. This research is aimed to enhance the document verification process using blockchain technology and identify the security themes required for document verification in the blockchain. For the first time a survey of this type has been done where Blockchain and image steganography have been combined together to develop a complete backend infrastructure and the frontend application for the certificate management portal. With the proposed method PSNR & MSR of average 59 dB & 0.55 could be achieved. Exhaustive literature survey w.r. t. the recent development in the blockchain technology is also provided. The simulation results presented in the simulation results section shows the efficiency of the methodology that has been developed in the block chain field & thus has got an edge over the works done by other researchers in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postal services became operational with the stamp application, which aims to prevent wages and wage evasion. Stamps were able to turn into an imaginary material in a short time with a number of different functional features beyond monetary value. Direct or indirect transmission of the visual message increases people's curiosity about stamps and makes stamps important objects. The stamp is among the documents that best reflect the independence, national values, history, economic development, beliefs, political attitudes, artistic and cultural aspects of a state. Stamps, which have a mission beyond being a communication tool, also attribute visuality to many qualified works in different fields. The aim of this study is to try to position the stamps, which take the standard mold as visual objects, in the status of valuable papers. Within the scope of the research, the definition of the stamp is included; the emergence, historical development, types, functions, today's practices and educational aspects are given. In addition, attributing financial value to stamps; The evolutionary process at the stage of misprinting, counterfeiting, forgery, collecting and evaluation as securities has been mentioned and suggestions have been made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burial-mound No. 8 in the necropolis of the Elizavetovskoye fortified settlement. The dates assigned to 14 amphorae found in the dromos are constantly argued over by scholars. When traditional methods of chronology are used, it emerges that some of the amphorae should be assigned to the 350s BC, and others to the 330s–320s BC. Recently N.F. Fedoseev attempted to explain this difference in dating of various stamps by stating that the two burials had been laid out in the burial-mound at different times and that, as a result, the amphorae had also been placed in the dromos at different times. Analysis of the assemblage of amphorae against a background of new sources has made it possible to assume with confidence that both burials in the burial-chamber of the Five Brothers' Burial-mound No. 8 had been of the same date and that this spectacular monument should be dated to the second half of the 350s BC or to the 350/340s BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permafrost is extremely sensitive to variance in external hydrothermal conditions. InSAR has advantages in monitoring surface deformation with decent temporal and spatial resolution as well as millimeter precision. In particular, the StaMPS-InSAR method can remove the disturbances of inaccurate digital elevation model (DEM), atmospheric delays and spatiotemporal decorrelation for an accurate estimation of temporal surface deformation. In this paper, a set of ascending and descending Sentinel-1 imageries spanning from March 2017 to June 2018 were acquired and processed by StaMPS-InSAR in order to investigate dynamic changes of permafrost in Wudaoliang Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). The results revealed that significant seasonal changes of permafrost, namely subsidence (thawing) in summer and uplift (freezing) in winter, can be observed throughout the Wudaoliang region. This study shows the StaMPS-InSAR analysis on Sentinel-1 datasets has great potential in regional permafrost investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since their appearance in 1840 postal stamps, have addressed a number of issues, including biodiversity and insects. The objective of this work was to carry out an inventory of postal stamps with the representation of the Mantodea as a biological group. A documentary compilation of specialized works on entomophilately, review of Mantodea's groups and a thorough review on the Internet. 136 postal stamps will be collected in which the Mantodea are represented by nine families, 23 genera and 37 species (28 valid species, one subspecies and eight morphospecies), which represents 1.12% of the world mantid fauna (2 494 species), indicating a limited degree of knowledge of these species and little empathy for them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present diverse unpublished inscriptions from Clunia, corresponding to the group of instrumenta domestica: imbrices, loom weights, sigillata, etc. Their knowledge can help us to better value the wealth they had this Hispano-Roman colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author of the article considers the question of the chronology of Herakleian stamps used by the manufacturer Etymos, who for the last twenty years has traditionally been assigned a date from the late-4th/early-3rd century BC. An analysis of a series of assemblages with the stamps of this manufacturer has made it possible to assign him a reliable date within the period 340-330 BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow moving landslides are widespread geomorphological features in the Northern Apennines of Italy where they represent one of the main landscape forming processes. The lithology of the Northern Apennines fold and thrust belt is characterized by alternations of sandstone, siltstone and clayshales, also known as flysch, and clay shales with a chaotic block in matrix fabric, which are often interpreted as tectonic or sedimentary mélanges. While flysch rocks with a high pelitic fraction host earthslides that occasionally evolve into flow like movements, earthflows are the dominant landslide type in chaotic clay shales. In the present work, we document the kinematic response to rainfall of landslides in these different lithologies using radar interferometry. The study area includes three river catchments in the Northern Apennines. Here, the Mediterranean climate is characterized by two wet seasons during autumn and spring respectively, separated by dry summers and winters with moderate precipitation. We use SAR imagery from the X-band satellite COSMO SkyMed and from the C-band satellite Sentinel 1 to retrieve spatial displacement measurements between 2009 and 2016 for 25 landslides in our area of interest. We also document detailed temporal and spatial deformation signals for eight representative landslides, although the InSAR derived deformation signal is only well constrained by our dataset during the years 2013 and 2015. In spring 2013, long enduring rainfalls struck the study area and numerous landslide reactivations were documented by the regional authorities. During 2013, we measured higher displacement rates on the landslides in pelitic flysch formations compared to the earthflows in the clay shales. Slower mean velocities were measured on most landslides during 2015. We analyse the temporal deformation signal of our eight representative landslides and compare the temporal response to precipitation. We show that earthslides in pelitic flysch formations accelerate faster than earthflows in chaotic clay shales and reach higher velocities, while the kinematic behaviour of the earthflows can be described as rather steady with only minor accelerations. Although we have no detailed pore pressure measurements for the period of interest, the observed behaviour can be explained in our view by the morphological and hydrological characteristics of the different landslide types. On the one hand landslide material and bedrock in the pelitic flysch rocks are more resistant, which is why slope angles are higher in this lithology. On the other hand, landslides in the pelitic flysch formations have often deeper slip surfaces and landslide material is more permeable. This is why long persistent rainfall is necessary to saturate the landslide material and induce pore pressures that are high enough to trigger displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry (InSAR) is used to make measurements of small surface displacements in different situations including ground-settlement, landslides and excavations. We document the deformation history of four dormant deep-seated landslides in the Northern Apennines of Italy that were reactivated by the excavation of a double road tunnel. The tunnel is part of a larger infrastructure project that involves the improvement of the A1 highway which connects Bologna and Florence. The excavation of the tunnel under the landslides' basal shear surfaces started in 2011, and with the advance of the tunnel front, deformation began to occur, causing damages to homes and infrastructures. The tunnel passes under the small villages of Ripoli and Santa Maria Maddalena. The deformation slowed down after the tunnel was completed in November 2014, and low surface displacement rates were registered for the period between October 2014 and June 2016. We show the results of an InSAR analysis designed to measure surface movements between 2003 and 2016. The InSAR displacements are derived from the Envisat, COSMO SkyMed, and Sentinel 1 datasets and cover the main construction phase of the tunnel (2011–2015). A detailed geological and geomorphological mapping of the slope is developed based on the field evidence and on the spatial pattern of surface deformation provided by our InSAR analysis. Together with the map, a new conceptual geological model of the slope in tectonically sheared and weathered flysch is presented. The satellite InSAR data show good agreement with available ground based monitoring data that include inclinometer and GPS-measurements, while small differences occur with respect to deformation time series obtained from a ground-based InSAR instrument. In particular, the InSAR results for the X-Band data of COSMO SkyMed demonstrate the close relationship between the position of the excavation front and the displacement rates of previously dormant landslide deposits. Conversely, the concurrent rainfall does not appear to significantly influence the observed behavior and, if any, had only a minor influence on the displacement history of the investigated landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential Interferometric SAR (DInSAR) time-series techniques can be used to derive surface displacement rates with accuracies of 1 mm/year, by measuring the one-dimensional distance change between a satellite and the surface over time. However, the slanted direction of the measurements complicates interpretation of the signal, especially in regions that are subject to multiple deformation processes. The Simultaneous and Integrated Strain Tensor Estimation from Geodetic and Satellite Deformation Measurements (SISTEM) algorithm enables decomposition into a three-dimensional velocity field through joint inversion with GNSS measurements, but has never been applied to interseismic deformation where strain rates are low. Here, we apply SISTEM for the first time to detect tectonic deformation on the Hyblean Foreland Plateau in South-East Sicily. In order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the DInSAR data beforehand, we reduce atmospheric InSAR noise using a weather model and combine it with a multi-directional spatial filtering technique. The resultant three-dimensional velocity field allows identification of anthropogenic, as well as tectonic deformation, with sub-centimeter accuracies in areas of sufficient GPS coverage. Our enhanced method allows for a more detailed view of ongoing deformation processes as compared to the single use of either GNSS or DInSAR only and thus is suited to improve assessments of regional seismic hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the United Nations' international commemoration program for the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It argues that the deficiencies of the UN's promotional effort were mirrored in its memorialization strategy, the most visible and sustained example of which was a vast campaign of stamp issues. In their abstract iconography, these stamps tended to circulate internationally without substantial interaction with national freedom struggles. Issued in immense numbers for more than forty years, by over 100 states, the stamps served to memorialize a spare UN symbolism, rather than to translate the ideals of the UDHR into any nationally relevant lexicon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman spectroscopy was employed to investigate six Imperial China Engraved Coiling Dragon stamps non-destructively. The results have shown that (1) the main colors (yellow, green, scarlet, brown, vermilion, and blue) on the six stamps were all prepared from inorganic pigments, including chrome yellow, chrome orange, Prussian blue, red lead, magnesium sulfate hydrate, and ultramarine blue. (2) Raman spectrometer has been allowed for successfully identifying the molecular structure of the pigments printed on the six examined stamps, suggesting that such a dual analytical approach could satisfy the need for pigment identification on stamps. (3) The finding that certain pigments were intentionally mixed to produce a whole different hue or color, the mechanism of which could be explained by theories of chromatology and metamerism, also provides new insight into the future conservation, authentication, and restoration of the early printings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marking bread was an old practice performed in different parts of the old world. It was done for religious, magical, economic and identification purposes. Bread stamps differ from other groups of stamps. Accordingly, the aim of this article is to identify such stamps, displayed or stored, in a number of Jordanian Archaeological Museums. A collection of twelve ancient bread stamps were identified and studied. Two of the stamps were of unknown provenance while the others came from al-Shuneh, Dhiban, Khirbet an-Nawafla, Abu-Sido and Jerash. The stamps are presented according to their museum collection since a chronological classification could not be achieved due to the fact that the majority of the stamps were purchased from antiquities dealers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An examination of 1012 stamps issued by Israel from May 1948 to June 2010 reveals a degree of fluctuation between national and cosmopolitan themes, with a significant rise towards cosmopolitanism in the second decade and an increase in nationalism in the third. Cosmopolitan themes again showed modest growth in the fourth decade, and have been rising steadily, if moderately, since 1988. The findings suggest that Israeli stamp issues constitute an arena of dynamic contention between the desire to maintain a particular national Israeli identity, and the desire to promote a worldview based on universal values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the last decade, Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) has become operational as a technique that allows remote detection of deformation at the Earth''s surface. Analysis of time series of SAR images extends the area where InSAR can be successfully applied and also permits detection of smaller displacements through the reduction of error sources. Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers (StaMPS) InSAR implementation, which is based on the processing of multi-temporal SAR data, is widely used for ground deformation monitoring. This is due mainly to its proven reliability and freeware distribution among the scientific community. However, some issues can make the interpretation of the results a difficult task: StaMPS supports data processing based on command prompt, which increases the difficulty of usage by users not familiar with the specific programming language that supports StaMPS. Moreover, several visualization tasks are not implemented in the standard approach requiring that each user develop its own code for visualization and interpretation purposes. In this paper, we present viStaMPS, a new visual application developed to enhance the visualization, manipulation and exportation of StaMPS results. The programmed application is developed in Matlab through the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and no coding is required for running it, which avoids any programming language knowledge for standard uses. The included graphical interface is very versatile allowing the user to choose among several features: visualization, manipulation and exportation of data which are not available in the original StaMPS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this article we present 22 pipes and fragments of pipes discovered along many years of systematic or preventive excavations in Mangalia. These are Turkish pipes that were widely spread in the Balkans in 18th-19th century. Some of the clay pipes bear monogram stamps and less visible marks suggesting that reproductions from less famous centres in the Ottoman Empire circulated in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Standard interferometry poses a challenge in heavily vegetated areas due to decorrelation of the radar signal. To alleviate this problem, we implement StaMPS, a persistent scatterer (PS) technique, to obtain a more spatially complete signal in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. In addition to comparing the spatial extent of the signal from standard Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) and StaMPS, we further analyze the selection of scatterers over several terrain types in the Cascades, and systematically vary StaMPS parameters to minimize the selection of false positives and negatives. Utilizing the best parameters, we correlate the location of persistent scatterers to geologic units, and vegetation density derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. Our findings indicate that persistent scatterers most frequently occur on young, rough basaltic to andesitic lava flows and to a lesser extent on older, reworked basaltic andesitic lava flows exposed as boulder fields in the forests. Very few or no scatterers were found over water, permanent snowfields, evergreen forest, or unconsolidated pyroclastics. Over 90% of the scatterers are located in areas with no or very sparse vegetation cover. Based on surface roughness and the percentage of bare earth within the radar footprint, we are able to predict where PS InSAR is most likely to be successful on natural terrains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

‘Postage stamps’, basically as a token for payment of postal taxes, are now being recognized as an information source and historical document in recording national achievements that visually convey four core elements: denomination, country name, graphical design, and the textual element. They are a valuable means of communication easily available anywhere to anybody. Realizing them as source of extra revenue, commemorative stamps are made available over time. The information technology (IT) wave changed the hobby of stamp collection to Digital Philately, while information and communication technology (ICT) developments accelerated the hobby further to Virtual Philately. This paper focuses on the aspects of digital and virtual philately. This study aims to evaluate The World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP) Numbering System (WNS) database, which provides free access to authentic postage stamps issued by Universal Postal Union (UPU) member countries and territories. A total of 48,159 stamps with 48 themes were found registered by 184 countries at the time of study. Indian stamps totaled 554 entries with the highest number of entries, 1258, from France, and followed by 1006 from Japan. A ranking was done using themes whereas “Fauna” was observed to be the most popular theme at 14.1% or 6800 stamps under study. For Indian stamps, politics and government, architecture and literature, press and comics are the most prevalent themes with 14.3, 9.8 and 9.8% respectively of the national contribution. The paper also presents a detailed analysis of the 15 Indian stamps commemorating the 14 Indian traditional universities issued over the 50 years of India’s independence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Microinjection molding was employed to fabricate low-cost polymer cantilever arrays for sensor applications. Cantilevers with micrometer dimensions and aspect ratios as large as 10 were successfully manufactured from polymers, including polypropylene and polyvinylidenfluoride. The cantilevers perform similar to the established silicon cantilevers, with Q-factors in the range of 10–20. Static deflection of gold coated polymer cantilevers was characterized with heat cycling and self-assembled monolayer formation of mercaptohexanols. A hybrid mold concept allows easy modification of the surface topography, enabling customized mechanical properties of individual cantilevers. Combined with functionalization and surface patterning, the cantilever arrays are qualified for biomedical applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, two Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) methodologies are compared in order to further understand their potential in the detection of surface deformation. A comparison of these two algorithms is a comparison of the two classes of PSI techniques available: coherence estimation based on a temporal model of deformation (represented by DePSI) and coherence estimation based on spatial correlation (represented by StaMPS). Despite the similarity between the results obtained from the application of the two independent PSI methodologies, significant differences in PS density and distribution were detected, motivating a comparative study between both techniques. We analyze which approach might be more appropriate for studying specific areas/environments, which is helpful in evaluating the benefits that could be derived from an integration of the two methodologies. Several experiments are performed to assess the sensitivity of both PSI approaches to different parameter settings and circumstances. The most significant differences in the processing chain of both procedures are then investigated. We apply both methodologies to the Granada Basin area (southern Spain) and realize that coherence does not improve significantly as function of the methodology applied. If oversampling is implemented in the StaMPS processing chain, the PS density increases so that the density in the urbanized areas is similar to the results provided by DePSI but in all the remaining covers the density is significantly higher. The general results provided by both approaches are very similar in the relative deformations estimated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel process route is presented for the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) patterns with both vertical and inclined profiles in close vicinity on the same substrate. The 3D patterns were generated by dose-modulated electron-beam lithography (EBL) in polymeric resist combined with a thermal annealing (reflow) post-treatment at a moderate temperature. Thus, technical limitations usually connected with grayscale EBL to manufacture continuous patterns were overcome. 3D sawtooth structures which exhibit both sharp and continuous profiles were generated and slopes up to 27° with smooth surfaces were achieved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the literature devoted to Tanais the opinion had long held sway to the effect that Tanais maintained special relations with Phanagoria, ever since the idea was first formulated by D. B. Shelov as far back as the beginning of the 1970s. On the basis of an analysis of the collections of stamps found in Tanais and Phanagoria, the scholar concluded that the thrust of the economy and politics of the cities in the Asiatic and European Bosporus must have been different and that the trading activities of Tanais must have been linked first and foremost with Phanagoria. Yet at present, thanks to the accumulation of new material and its reinterpretation, these conclusions can no longer be regarded as well-founded. It would seem that a 'common economic space' existed within the confines of the Bosporan state during the Hellenistic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray emission spectroscopy induced using radioactive source have been applied to analyze two types of samples important for the history of Rijeka, Croatian port on the Adriatic Sea. In this paper we will present study of thirty-three original Hungarian postage stamps issued for Rijeka and overprinted with the word FIUME in 1918, after the World War I and the one-Lira banknotes (one original brown banknote and four trial prints: brown, blue, green and dark green) from Economy bank for Rijeka, Istria and Slovenian Littoral (1945–1947), the so-called Jugolire. This investigation was carried out to determine the differences between the original machine, original hand-made and fake overprints FIUME and to compare the pigments used on original banknote from circulation with the pigments on the trial prints. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Differential SAR interferometry (DInSAR) is a very effective technique for measuring crustal deformation. However, almost all interferograms include large areas where the signals decorrelate and no measurements are possible. Persistent scatterer interferometry (PS-InSAR) overcomes the decorrelation problem by identifying resolution elements whose echo is dominated by a single scatterer in a series of interferograms. Two time series of 29 ERS-1/2 and 22 ENVISAT ASAR acquisitions of the Granada basin, located in the central sector of the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain), covering the period from 1992 to 2005, were analyzed. Rough topography of the study area associated to its moderate activity geodynamic setting, including faults and folds in an uplifting relief by the oblique Eurasian–African plate convergence, poses a challenge for the application of interferometric techniques. The expected tectonic deformation rates are in the order of ∼1mm/yr, which are at the feasibility limit of current InSAR techniques. In order to evaluate whether, under these conditions, InSAR techniques can still be used to monitor deformations we have applied and compared two PS-InSAR approaches: DePSI, the PS-InSAR package developed at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and StaMPS (Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers) developed at Stanford University. Ground motion processes have been identified for the first time in the study area, the most significant process being a subsidence bowl located at the village of Otura. The idea behind this comparative study is to analyze which of the two PS-InSAR approaches considered might be more appropriate for the study of specific areas/environments and to attempt to evaluate the potentialities and benefits that could be derived for the integration of those methodologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sinopean imports - coins, ceramic ware - amphorae, mortars and tiles - found in the south-western Georgian Black Sea littoral characterise different aspects of relationships in the south and eastern Black Sea littoral over a long period. The south-western coast of ancient Colchis seems to have been closely connected with Sinope from the fifth century BC. Sinopean finds become more and more frequent in fourth-third centuries BC contexts. From the last quarter of the fourth century BC, the leading role of trading with Colchis passed to Sinope. It was archaeologically expressed in the intensive circulation of Sinopean drachmas and hemidrachmas as well as in the import of Sinopean ceramic ware (amphorae, mortars, tiles) and production of their local imitations. In the Roman and early Byzantine periods, Sinope was a key base for the Roman army and fleet at the southern Black Sea coast. Finds of Sinopean ceramic products of this period are frequent during the excavations of the fortresses of the Roman and early Byzantine period on the eastern Black Sea littoral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses the function(s) of Neolithic stamps arid their designs by using two different lines of evidence. The function of the artifact itself is considered by using contextual information from the Neolithic site of Ulucak Hoyuk, located in the vicinity of Izmir in western Turkey. It will be argued that the co-occurrence of stamps with objects related to textile manufacturing-e.g. bone needles, spindle whorls and loom weights-at Ulucak allows us to interpret their function as stamps to make patterns, among other cultural media, on woven fabrics. Secondly, the role of images on stamps is discussed in terms of what they might have signified to the communities who reproduced them over a vast time and area. The intention is to demonstrate that geometrical and floral images observed on Neolithic stamps were not simply decorative but also symbolic, referring to central themes arid stories of-and for-early farming communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the typology and chronology of one of the most widespread groups of Pontic sigillata. Plates with vertical rim were classified by John Hayes in 1985 as Form I. The author singles out among these plates Forms 1-4 with some subforms and proposes an exact chronology of each group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We propose fast nanoimprinting lithography (NIL) process based on the use of stamps with integrated heater. The latter consists of heavily ion implantation n-type doped silicon layer buried below the microstructured surface of the stamp. The stamp is heated by Joule effect, by 50μs 25Hz repetition rate current pulses flowing in the conductive layer. Using this approach we have reproducibly imprinted areas of ∼2cm2 within 16s with residual layers in the range of few tens of nm. This result paves the way for processes in the sub-1s timescale over large area surfaces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite the fact that the North Pontic area is situated at the edge of the oikoumene, in recent years much evidence has appeared which tells us about the contacts of this area with such distant regions as Italy or Central Europe. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the presence of Western sigillata in the North Pontic area, mainly in the big cities – Olbia, Chersonesos, Pantikapaion, and to give an impression of its distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The object of our present investigation is a group of several ancient and medieval metal coins as well as a group of several European stamps from second part of XIX century. In the analyses of chosen samples, we have used micro-Raman spectroscopy with a visible laser beam and X-ray emission spectroscopy induced by radioactive source. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The stamp is "an arena for conveying every possible kind of message through pictures". Since stamp motives are not chosen arbitrarily, this study considers what stamps issued by North and South Korea since their foundation in 1948 tell about these states. Firstly, the number of stamps made by each state from 1948 until 2002 is investigated. This time is divided into ten-year periods. Conclusions are drawn from the number of stamps made. Secondly, the motives are investigated in detail. Eight motives--commemoratives, history, famous persons, culture, politics, economics, nature and miscellaneous are identified. Quantitative data on the motives are presented in tables that are followed by facts about the issues. Thirdly, the main findings are presented on a general level and under the motives identified. Implications of the motives on North and South Korean stamps are discussed and similarities and differences are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nickel stamps with micro and nano-scale relief features on their surfaces have been fabricated using proton beam writing coupled with nickel sulfamate electroplating. A focused beam of sub-micron 2.0MeV protons was used to direct-write 3D patterns into spin coated PMMA resist, and a single step nickel sulfamate plating process has been used to produce metallic negatives from these patterns. The fabricated metallic stamps exhibit high aspect ratio surface patterns with smooth and vertical side-walls. Nano-indentation and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements of the features on the surface of the stamps indicate a hardness and side-wall roughness of 5GPa and 7nm respectively. Using nanoimprint lithography, the stamps fabricated using proton beam writing and electroplating have been successfully used to replicate patterns into PMMA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Landslides are a major threat for population and urban areas. Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is a powerful tool for identifying landslides and monitoring their evolution over long periods and has proven to be very useful especially in urban areas, where a sufficient number of PS can be generated. In this study, we applied PS interferometry to investigate the landslide affecting Santo Stefano d'Aveto (Liguria, NW Italy) by integrating classic interferometric techniques with cross-correlation analysis of PS time-series and with geological and geotechnical field information. We used open-source software and packages to process Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1A satellite for both ascending and descending orbits over the period 2015–2021 and calculate both the vertical motion and the E-W horizontal displacement. By computing the cross-correlation of the PS time-series, we identified three families of PS with a similarity greater than 0.70. The cross-correlation analysis allowed subdividing the landslide in different sectors, each of which is characterized by a specific type of movement. The geological meaning of this subdivision is still a matter of discussion but it is presumably driven by the geomorphological setting of the area and by the regional tectonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The andesitic volcanic island Whakaari (White Island) explosively erupted on 9 December 2019. White Island is a popular tourist destination, and 47 people were on the island at the time. Twenty-one died, and a further twenty-six people suffered injuries. Persistent scatterer (PS) interferometry with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a powerful satellite-based remote sensing tool to monitor land deformation associated with volcanic unrest. This study examined deformation on White Island over the eruption period and identified a dome on the crater floor that inflated for 15 months preceding the eruption, consistent with a previous analysis of TerraSAR-X satellite data. Results here show the dome began to collapse after 25 November, about two weeks prior to the eruption. This finding has immediate relevance for ongoing hazard monitoring at White Island and other volcanoes worldwide where sudden dome contraction may presage an eruption. Unlabelled Image • Study shows deformation on White Island leading up to catastrophic 2019 eruption. • Satellite data shows inflation of crater floor for 15 months preceding the eruption. • Crater floor suddenly deflated about 2 weeks prior to the eruption. • Findings have immediate relevance for volcanic hazard monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nur, A.-S.; Achmad, A.-R., and Lee, C.-W., 2020. Land subsidence measurement in reclaimed coastal land: Noksan using C-Band Sentinel-1 radar interferometry. In: Jung, H.-S.; Lee, S.; Ryu, J.-H., and Cui, T. (eds.), Advances in Geospatial Research of Coastal Environments. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 102, pp. 218-223. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. It has been 27 years since the beginning of the Noksan national industrial complex construction at downstream of the Nakdong River in Busan. The complex was built by landfilling a coastal area over one of Korea's deepest soft ground areas. Land subsidence occurred since the start of construction due to primary consolidation and secondary consolidation after the creation finished. Since secondary consolidation directly affects the structure over Noksan, it is crucial to monitor the subsidence rate. This study found that land subsidence happened in four areas of Noksan National Industrial Complex from 2017 to 2020 by applying Stamford Methods for Persistent Scatterer (StaMPS) time-series method using C-band Sentinel-1 SAR datasets from descending and ascending track. The results show land subsidence with a maximum velocity of 20.98 mm/year from descending track datasets and 20.92 mm/year from ascending track datasets. The highest rate area of land subsidence occurred in the south part of Noksan. Mean vertical deformation maps between descending and ascending track have been compared and show a good relationship with 0.93 of coefficient correlation. These approach methods in this study that using StaMPS could be used to monitor slow rate of land subsidence in reclaimed coastal land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hakim, W.L.; Achmad, A.R.; Eom, J., and Lee, C.-W., 2020. Land subsidence measurement in Jakarta coastal area using time series interferometry with Sentinel-1 SAR data. In: Jung, H.-S.; Lee, S.; Ryu, J.-H., and Cui, T. (eds.), Advances in Geospatial Research of Coastal Environments. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 102, pp. 75-81. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Jakarta coastal area is a part of North Jakarta which has a boundary to the Java Sea. Coastal flood from the Java Sea was not a new case in North Jakarta, the situations occurred due to sea-level rise. The conditions of coastal flood in Jakarta can be worsening by land subsidence in Jakarta coastal area. The land subsidence in Jakarta coastal area was occurred in many years and detected by geodetic measurement methods such as GPS and leveling surveys. The study about land subsidence in Jakarta coastal area needed to be updated because it could affect the urban development. This study presents the mean vertical deformation map using Stanford Methods for Persistent Scatterer (StaMPS) for time-series analysis on the Sentinel-1 data archives in the period of March 2017 through April 2020 in both ascending and descending track. The comparison of mean vertical deformation map between two tracks shows a good correlation in terms of displacement patterns with slightly different in 4 individual chosen points that show a high deformation at rates between 30 mm/year and 40 mm/year. The area chosen in this study known as a reclaimed area and the subsidence occurred due to young alluvium consolidation that not supported the maximum compression from a lot of buildings. These approach methods in this study that using StaMPS could be used to monitor land subsidence from all-terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wider Zagreb area is considered one of the few seismically active areas in the Republic of Croatia. During the period 1880–1906, moderate to strong seismic activity with three earthquakes magnitude ML ≥ 6 occurred on the NW-SE striking Kašina Fault and since then, the area has not experienced earthquakes exceeding magnitude ML = 5. In order to estimate the ongoing interseismic strain accumulation along the fault, we analyze Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Array L-band SAR (PALSAR) and Environmental Satellite (Envisat)-Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) datasets acquired over the period 2007–2010 and 2002–2010, respectively. The data were analyzed using small baseline interferometry (SBI) technique and indicate very slow surface deformations in the area, within ±3.5 mm/year, which are in a good agreement with previous geodetic studies. Interseismic strain accumulation analysis was conducted on two 14 km long segments of the Kašina Fault, seismically active in the South and stable in the North. The analysis indicates an ongoing interseismic strain accumulation of 2.3 mm/year on the Southern segment and no detectable strain accumulation on the Northern segment. Taking into consideration the lack of moderate to strong seismic activity in the past 113 years combined with the preliminary geodetic analysis from this study, we can conclude that the Southern segment of the Kašina Fault has the potential to generate earthquake magnitude Mw < 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent scatterers interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) is capable of precise topography measurement up to sub-meter scale and monitoring subtle deformation up to mm/year scale for all the radar image pixels with stable radiometric characteristics. As a representative PS-InSAR method, the Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers (StaMPS) is widely used due to its high density of PS points for both rural and urban areas. However, when it comes to layover regions, which usually happen in urban areas, the StaMPS is limited locally. Moreover, the measurement points are greatly reduced due to the removal of adjacent PS pixels. In this paper, an improved StaMPS method, called IStaMPS, is proposed. The PS pixels are selected with high density by the improved PS selection strategy. Moreover, the topography information not provided in StaMPS can be accurately measured in IStaMPS. Based on the data acquired by TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X over the Terminal 3 E (T3 E) site of Beijing Capital International Airport and the Chaobai River of Beijing Shunyi District, a comparison between StaMPS-retrieved results and IStaMPS-retrieved ones was performed, which demonstrated that the density of PS points detected by IStaMPS is increased by about 1.8 and 1.6 times for these two areas respectively. Through comparisons of local statistical results of topography estimation and mean deformation rate, the improvement granted by the proposed IStaMPS was demonstrated for both urban areas with complex buildings or man-made targets and non-urban areas with natural targets. In terms of the spatiotemporal deformation variation, the northwest region of T3 E experienced an exceptional uplift during the period from June 2012 to August 2015, and the maximum uplift rate is approximately 4.2 mm per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]