bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of ensemble Kalman filter and variational approaches for CO2 data assimilation
Authors: Chatterjee A. , Michalak A. M.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Data assimilation (DA) approaches, such as the variational and the ensemble Kalman filter, provide a computationally efficient framework for solving the CO2 source-sink estimation problem. Unlike DA applications for weather prediction and constituent assimilation, however, the advantages and disadvantages of alternative DA approaches for CO2 flux estimation have not been extensively explored. In this study, we compare and assess estimates from two advanced DA methods (an ensemble square root filter and a variational technique) using a simple 1-dimensional advection-diffusion inverse problem that has been designed to capture the nuances of a real CO2 flux estimation problem. Experiments are specifically designed to identify the impact of the observational density, heterogeneity, and uncertainty, as well as operational constraints (i.e., ensemble size, number of descent iterations) in order to isolate the degradation in the DA estimates relative to the estimates from a batch inverse modeling scheme. No dynamical model is explicitly specified for the DA methods to keep the problem setup analogous to a real CO2 flux estimation problem. Results demonstrate that the performance of the DA approaches depends on a complex interplay between the measurement network and the operational constraints imposed to make the DA algorithms practically feasible. The overall advantages/disadvantages of the two examined DA approaches are complementary and highlight that, specifically for CO2 applications, selection of one method over the other should be dictated by the carbon science questions being asked, and the inversion conditions under which the approaches are being applied.
Preliminary investigations toward nighttime aerosol optical depth retrievals from the VIIRS Day/Night Band
Authors: Johnson R. S. , Zhang J. , Hyer E. J. , Miller S. D. , Reid J. S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. A great need exists for reliable nighttime aerosol products at high spatial and temporal resolution. In this concept demonstration study, using Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) observations on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite, a new method is proposed for retrieving nighttime aerosol optical depth (τ) using the contrast between regions with and without artificial surface lights. Evaluation of the retrieved τ values against daytime AERONET data from before and after the overpass of the VIIRS satellite over the Cape Verde, Grand Forks, and Alta Floresta AERONET stations yields a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.71. This study suggests that the VIIRS DNB has the potential to provide useful nighttime aerosol detection and property retrievals.
Validation of satellite OPEMW precipitation product with ground-based weather radar and rain gauge networks
Authors: Cimini D. , Romano F. , Ricciardelli E. , Di Paola F. , Viggiano M. , Marzano F. S. , Colaiuda V. , Picciotti E. , Vulpiani G. , Cuomo V.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The Precipitation Estimation at Microwave Frequencies (PEMW) algorithm was developed at the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis of the National Research Council of Italy (IMAA-CNR) for inferring surface rain intensity (sri) from satellite passive microwave observations in the range from 89 to 190 GHz. The operational version of PEMW (OPEMW) has been running continuously at IMAA-CNR for two years, producing sri estimates feeding an operational hydrological model for forecasting flood alerts. This paper presents the validation of OPEMW against simultaneous ground-based observations obtained by a network of 20 weather radars and a network of more than 3000 rain gauges distributed over the Italian peninsula and main islands. The validation effort uses a data set spanning a one-year period (July 2011–June 2012). The effort evaluates dichotomous and continuous scores for the assessment of rain detection and quantitative estimate, respectively, investigating both spatial and temporal features. The analysis demonstrates 98% accuracy in correctly identifying rainy and non-rainy areas, and it quantifies the increased ability (with respect to random chance) to detect rainy and non-rainy areas (0.42–0.45 Heidke skill score) or rainy areas only (0.27–0.29 equitable threat score). Performances are better than average during summer, fall, and spring, while worse than average in the winter season. The spatial-temporal analysis does not show seasonal dependence except for larger mean absolute difference over the Alps and northern Apennines during winter, attributable to residual effect of snow cover. A binned analysis in the 0–15 mm h−1 range suggests that OPEMW tends to slightly overestimate sri values below 6–7 mm h−1, and to underestimate sri above those values. Depending upon the ground reference (either rain gauges or weather radars), the mean difference is 0.8–2.8 mm h−1, with a standard deviation within 2.6–3.1 mm h−1 and correlation coefficient within 0.8–0.9. The monthly mean difference was shown to remain within ±1 mm h−1 with respect to rain gauges and within −2 mm h−1 with respect to weather radars, with 2–4 mm h−1 standard deviation.
Limitations of microbial hydrocarbon degradation at the Amon mud volcano (Nile deep-sea fan)
Authors: Felden J. , Lichtschlag A. , Wenzhöfer F. , de Beer D. , Feseker T. , Pop Ristova P. , de Lange G. , Boetius A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The Amon mud volcano (MV), located at 1250 m water depth on the Nile deep-sea fan, is known for its active emission of methane and non-methane hydrocarbons into the hydrosphere. Previous investigations showed a low efficiency of hydrocarbon-degrading anaerobic microbial communities inhabiting the Amon MV center in the presence of sulfate and hydrocarbons in the seeping subsurface fluids. By comparing spatial and temporal patterns of in situ biogeochemical fluxes, temperature gradients, pore water composition, and microbial activities over 3 yr, we investigated why the activity of anaerobic hydrocarbon degraders can be low despite high energy supplies. We found that the central dome of the Amon MV, as well as a lateral mud flow at its base, showed signs of recent exposure of hot subsurface muds lacking active hydrocarbon degrading communities. In these highly disturbed areas, anaerobic degradation of methane was less than 2% of the methane flux. Rather high oxygen consumption rates compared to low sulfide production suggest a faster development of more rapidly growing aerobic hydrocarbon degraders in highly disturbed areas. In contrast, the more stabilized muds surrounding the central gas and fluid conduits hosted active anaerobic hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities. The low microbial activity in the hydrocarbon-vented areas of Amon MV is thus a consequence of kinetic limitations by heat and mud expulsion, whereas most of the outer MV area is limited by hydrocarbon transport.
Catchment-scale carbon exports across a subarctic landscape gradient
Authors: Giesler R. , Lyon S. W. , Mörth C.-M. , Karlsson J. , Jantze E. J. , Destouni G. , Humborg C.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Climatic change is currently enhancing permafrost thawing and hydrological cycling in subarctic and arctic catchments with major consequences for the carbon export to aquatic ecosystems. We studied stream water carbon export in several tundra dominated catchments in northern Sweden. There were clear seasonal differences in both dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations. The highest DOC concentrations occurred during the spring freshet while the highest DIC concentrations were always observed during winter baseflow conditions for the six catchments considered in this study. In these subarctic catchments, DIC accounted for at least about half of the annual mass of C exported. Further, there was a direct relationship between both hydrologic flow pathway length and the maximum flow to minimum flow ratio (which serves as a proxy for fractioning between surface and subsurface flow pathways) and annual carbon fluxes for these six catchments. Further, these relationships were more prevalent for annual DIC exports than annual DOC exports in this region. These results highlight that there can be large regional differences in high latitude ecosystems and emphasize the importance of proper representation of subsurface hydrogeological conditions. This is particularly relevant in subarctic environments were thawing permafrost and changes to subsurface ice due to global warming can influence stream water fluxes of C. The large proportion of stream water DIC flux also has implications on regional C budgets and needs to be considered in order to understand climate induced feedback mechanisms across the landscape.
Fertilization success of an arctic sea urchin species, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (O. F. Müller, 1776) under CO2-induced ocean acidification
Authors: Bögner D. , Bickmeyer U. , Köhler A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Sea urchins as broadcasting spawners, release their gametes into open water for fertilization, thus being particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification. In this study, we assessed the effects of different pH scenarios on fertilization success of Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, collected at Spitsbergen, Arctic. We achieved acidification by bubbling CO2 into filtered seawater using partial pressures (pCO2) of 180, 380, 980, 1400 and 3000 μatm}. Untreated filtered seawater was used as control. We recorded fertilization rates and diagnosed morphological aberrations after post-fertilization periods of 1 h and 3 h under different exposure conditions in experiments with and without pre-incubation of the eggs prior to fertilization. In parallel, we conducted measurements of intracellular pH changes using BCECF/AM in unfertilized eggs exposed to a range of acidified seawater. We observed increasing rates of polyspermy in relation to higher seawater pCO2, which might be due to failures in the formation of the fertilization envelope. In addition, our experiments showed anomalies in fertilized eggs: incomplete lifting-off of the fertilization envelope and blebs of the hyaline layer. Other drastic malformations consisted of constriction, extrusion, vacuolization or degeneration (observed as a gradient from the cortex to the central region of the cell) of the egg cytoplasm, and irregular cell divisions until 2- to 4-cell stages. The intracellular pH (pHi) decreased significantly from 1400 μatm on. All results indicate a decreasing fertilization success at CO2 concentrations from 1400 μatm upwards. Exposure time to low pH might be a threatening factor for the cellular buffer capacity, viability, and development after fertilization.
Vertical activity distribution of dissimilatory nitrate reduction in coastal marine sediments
Authors: Behrendt A. , de Beer D. , Stief P.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The relative importance of two dissimilatory nitrate reduction pathways, denitrification (DEN) and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), was investigated in intact sediment cores from five different coastal marine field sites. The vertical distribution of DEN activity was examined using the acetylene inhibition technique combined with N2O microsensor measurements, whereas NH4+ production via DNRA was measured with a recently developed gel probe-stable isotope technique. At all field sites, dissimilatory nitrate reduction was clearly dominated by DEN (> 59% of the total NO3− reduced) rather than by DNRA, irrespective of the sedimentary inventories of electron donors such as organic carbon, sulfide, and iron. Ammonium production via DNRA (8.9% of the total NO3− reduced) was exclusively found at one site with very high concentrations of total sulfide and NH4+ in the layer of NO3− reduction and below. Sediment from two field sites, one with and one without DNRA activity in the core incubations, was also used for slurry incubations. Now, in both sediments high DNRA activity was detected accounting for 37–77% of the total NO3− reduced. These contradictory results can be explained by enhanced NO3− availability for DNRA bacteria in the sediment slurries compared to the core-incubated sediments. It can be argued that the gel probe technique gives more realistic estimates of DNRA activity in diffusion-dominated sediments, while slurry incubations are more suitable for advection-dominated sediments.
The Met Office Unified Model Global Atmosphere 4.0 and JULES Global Land 4.0 configurations
Authors: Walters D. N. , Williams K. D. , Boutle I. A. , Bushell A. C. , Edwards J. M. , Field P. R. , Lock A. P. , Morcrette C. J. , Stratton R. A. , Wilkinson J. M. , Willett M. R. , Bellouin N. , Bodas-Salcedo A. , Brooks M. E. , Copsey D. , Earnshaw P. D. , Hardiman S. C. , Harris C. M. , Levine R. C. , MacLachlan C. , Manners J. C. , Martin G. M. , Milton S. F. , Palmer M. D. , Roberts M. J. , Rodríguez J. M. , Tennant W. J. , Vidale P. L.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. We describe Global Atmosphere 4.0 (GA4.0) and Global Land 4.0 (GL4.0): configurations of the Met Office Unified Model and JULES community land surface model developed for use in global and regional climate research and weather prediction activities. GA4.0 and GL4.0 are based on the previous GA3.0 and GL3.0 configurations, with the inclusion of developments made by the Met Office and its collaborators during its annual development cycle. This paper provides a comprehensive technical and scientific description of GA4.0 and GL4.0 as well as details of how these differ from their predecessors. We also present the results of some initial evaluations of their performance. These show that, overall, performance is comparable with that of GA3.0/GL3.0; the updated configurations do, however, include improvements to the science of several parametrization schemes and will form a baseline for further ongoing development.
Assessment of statistical characteristics of point rainfall in the Onkaparinga catchment in South Australia
Authors: Rashid M. M. , Beecham S. , Chowdhury R.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Spatial and temporal variations in statistical characteristics of point rainfall are important for rainfall modelling. The main objective of this study was to investigate the statistical characteristics of point rainfall and to identify a probability distribution that can model the full spectrum of daily rainfall in the Onkaparinga catchment in South Australia. Daily rainfall data from 1960 to 2010 at thirteen rainfall stations were considered. Statistical moments and autocorrelation coefficients were estimated for rainfall depths at different temporal resolutions. The heterogeneity of monthly rainfall was tested using the Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI). Interannual variability of annual and seasonal PCI was observed. The catchment was characterized by unstable monthly rainfall with PCIs of more than 10 for all rainfall stations. Relatively strong and significant autocorrelation coefficients were observed for rainfall depths at finer (daily and monthly) temporal resolutions. The performance of different distribution models was examined considering their ability to regenerate various statistics such as standard deviation, skewness, frequency distribution, percentiles and extreme values. Model efficiency statistics of modelled percentiles of daily rainfall were found to be useful for optimum threshold selection in the hybrid distributions. A hybrid of the gamma and generalized pareto (GP) distributions was found to be more efficient than any single distribution (Weibull, gamma and exponential) for modelling the full range of daily rainfall across the catchment. In addition to this, a hybrid of the Weibull and GP distributions was also proposed. The outcomes from this study will assist water engineers and hydrologists to understand the spatial and temporal characteristics of point rainfall in the Onkaparinga catchment and will hopefully contribute to the improvement of rainfall modelling and downscaling techniques.
AUTOMATIC DEFORMATION INSPECTION METHOD FOR DIGITAL AERIAL IMAGERY BASED ON STATISTICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Yaohua Y. , Yuan Y. , Hai S. , Mingjing M.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The geometric distortion of the push-broom digital aerial imagery can be rectified according to the data of the inertial measurement unit (IMU). The low precision of IMU data will cause the undulant wavelike twist deformations of the push-broom digital aerial images after geometric rectification, directly influencing the authenticity and liability of images and their practical applications. At present, the image deformation diagnosis mainly depends on the subjective judgement of human being, which costs much time and manpower. In the paper, an automatic deformation inspection method based on statistical characteristics for digital aerial imagery is proposed to inspect the distortion caused by the low IMU data accuracy. For the undulant wavelike deformation image has the characteristic of pixel displacement in the regularly same direction, there will be a lot of wave curves in the same direction appeared in the image after geometric correction. Therefore, in the method, the positions of the wave curves in the image will be located by the extreme points of curvature of the contour lines, and then the wavelike deformations can be judged automatically through the distribution statistics of the open directions of the wave curves. The specific implement method can be described as follows: firstly, the edges of the image are detected with Canny edge detector and the vector contour lines are obtained by tracing the edges to get contour lines and fitting them with the cubic spline curve method. Then, the extreme points of curvature of the contour lines are calculated, and some of these points are determined to be the vertexes of the wave curves by judging the positional relations between each extreme point and the points around it, thus constituting a vertex set. Afterwards, the perpendicular directions of the tangent of the vertexes are used as the directions of the wave curves, and then the direction histograms of all the wave curves in the image are obtained by statistical analysis. Finally, the existence of the deformation phenomenon in the image due to the low precision of IMU data is able to be judged based on whether the directions of the wave curves are centralized in a certain direction or not. Experimental results showed that the automatic deformation inspection method presented in this paper can detect the deformation of the digital aerial images effectively caused by low accuracy of IMU data with 95% accuracy.
UNCERTAINTY MANAGEMENT IN SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT USING GRANULAR COMPUTING BASED ON COVERING OF UNIVERSE
Authors: Khamespanah F. , Delavar M. R. , Zare M.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Earthquake is an abrupt displacement of the earth's crust caused by the discharge of strain collected along faults or by volcanic eruptions. Earthquake as a recurring natural cataclysm has always been a matter of concern in Tehran, capital of Iran, as a laying city on a number of known and unknown faults. Earthquakes can cause severe physical, psychological and financial damages. Consequently, some procedures should be developed to assist modelling the potential casualties and its spatial uncertainty. One of these procedures is production of seismic vulnerability maps to take preventive measures to mitigate corporeal and financial losses of future earthquakes. Since vulnerability assessment is a multi-criteria decision making problem depending on some parameters and expert’s judgments, it undoubtedly is characterized by intrinsic uncertainties. In this study, it is attempted to use Granular computing (GrC) model based on covering of universe to handle the spatial uncertainty. Granular computing model concentrates on a general theory and methodology for problem solving as well as information processing by assuming multiple levels of granularity. Basic elements in granular computing are subsets, classes, and clusters of a universe called elements. In this research GrC is used for extracting classification rules based on seismic vulnerability with minimum entropy to handle uncertainty related to earthquake data. Tehran was selected as the study area. In our previous research, Granular computing model based on a partition model of universe was employed. The model has some kinds of limitations in defining similarity between elements of the universe and defining granules. In the model similarity between elements is defined based on an equivalence relation. According to this relation, two objects are similar based on some attributes, provided for each attribute the values of these objects are equal. In this research a general relation for defining similarity between elements of universe is proposed. The general relation is used for defining similarity and instead of partitioning the universe, granulation is done based on covering of universe. As a result of the study, a physical seismic vulnerability map of Tehran has been produced based on granular computing model. The accuracy of the seismic vulnerability map is evaluated using granular computing model based on covering of universe. The comparison between this model and granular computing model based on partition model of universe is undertaken which verified the superiority of the GrC based on covering of the universe in terms of the match between the achieved results with those confirmed by the related experts' judgments.
ASSESSING VOLUNTEERED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (VGI) QUALITY BASED ON CONTRIBUTORS' MAPPING BEHAVIOURS
Authors: Bégin D. , Devillers R. , Roche S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. VGI changed the mapping landscape by allowing people that are not professional cartographers to contribute to large mapping projects, resulting at the same time in concerns about the quality of the data produced. While a number of early VGI studies used conventional methods to assess data quality, such approaches are not always well adapted to VGI. Since VGI is a user-generated content, we posit that features and places mapped by contributors largely reflect contributors’ personal interests. This paper proposes studying contributors’ mapping processes to understand the characteristics and quality of the data produced. We argue that contributors’ behaviour when mapping reflects contributors’ motivation and individual preferences in selecting mapped features and delineating mapped areas. Such knowledge of contributors’ behaviour could allow for the derivation of information about the quality of VGI datasets. This approach was tested using a sample area from OpenStreetMap, leading to a better understanding of data completeness for contributor’s preferred features.
Simulation of Land-Use Policies on Spatial Layout with the CLUE-S Model
Authors: Zhang M. , Zhao J. , Yuan L.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Currently, the simulation of land use and land cover change is one of the research focuses in land resource management. Models for simulating this topic have been used by lots of scholars. In the process of experiments, especially using the models, to grasp the characteristics of data has a significant impact on the simulation results. With the changes in policies of land use, the spatial layout has shown a new form. How to simulate the change is one of the focuses in the current Land Resource Management. Therefore, this paper analyzes the current land use of the study area in two aspects: the structure and spatial layout, studying on changes in demand according to the current major changes of policies for land use in the area.; based on the in-depth analysis, by making reasonable choices of land use classification and using the logical regression analysis and ROC curve to select driving factor which is suitable for the characteristics of the study area; a reasonable simulation is then conducted for the impact on the spatial layout for land use change policies through CLUE-S model. The result shows that the exact parameters in line with the characteristics of the study area in CLUE-S mode could simulate the land use spatial layout for many land-use policies such as "construction land uphill", "construction land making room for arable land", "construction land along the river and road development", "key industries land expansion". The results have certain significance on land use changes and land use planning. In order to assist the decision making and improve the efficiency of land use, using this method can help the department of land and resource use to simulate the situation of the land use from the structure and the spatial layout in future according to the demands and the local policies of the land.
DEVELOPMENT AND EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF KEY TECHNIQUES TO VALIDATE REMOTE SENSING PRODUCTS
Authors: Li X. , Wang S. G. , Ge Y. , Jin R. , Liu S. M. , Ma M. G. , Shi W. Z. , Li R. X. , Liu Q. H.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Validation of remote sensing land products is a fundamental issue for Earth observation. Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (MOST) has launched a high-tech R&D Program named ‘Development and experimental verification of key techniques to validate remote sensing products’ in 2011. This paper introduces the background, scientific objectives, research contents of this project and research result already achieved. The objectives of this project include (1) to build a technical specification for the validation of remote sensing products; (2) to investigate the performance, we will carry out a comprehensive remote sensing experiment on satellite - aircraft - ground truth and then modify Step 1 until reach the predefined requirement; (3) to establish a validation network of China for remote sensing products. In summer 2012, with support of the Heihe Watershed Allied Telemetry Experimental Research (HiWATER), field observations have been successfully conducted in the central stream of the Heihe River Basin, a typical inland river basin in northwest China. A flux observation matrix composed of eddy covariance (EC) and large aperture scintillometer (LAS), in addition to a densely distributed eco-hydrological wireless sensor network have been established to capture multi-scale heterogeneities of evapotranspiration (ET), leaf area index (LAI), soil moisture and temperature. Airborne missions have been flown with the payloads of imaging spectrometer, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), infrared thermal imager and microwave radiometer that provide various scales of aerial remote sensing observations. Satellite images with high resolution have been collected and pre-processed, e.g. PROBA-CHRIS and TerraSAR-X. Simultaneously, ground measurements have been conducted over specific sampling plots and transects to obtain validation data sets. With this setup complex problems are addressed, e.g. heterogeneity, scaling, uncertainty, and eventually to fulfill the purpose of validation of remote sensing land products at pixel scale over heterogeneous surfaces.
STUDY ON THE QUALITY CONTROL METHODS OF CLUSTER-BASED REMOTE SENSING IMAGE PROCESSING
Authors: Xia L. , Zhao L. B. , Zhang X. P. , Zhou X. M.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Along with the advances in technology, modern surveying technology developed rapidly, a series of high-tech equipments have been invited and developed. A lot of cluster-based Remote Sensing image processing systems, at home or abroad, have been produced and used in production, such as PixelFactory, PixelGrid, CIPS etc. Been popularized and used, processing technology and procedure have changed to be different from the old pattern, and traditional ways of quality control no longer meet the need of new technology. Above all, it is of vital importance for us to find new ways of procedure quality control for the geographical spatial data quality certification under new technology system. Based on the mainstream image fast processing systems – PixelFactory and PixelGrid, the nodes and methods of quality control during image processing will be studied in this paper, including image preprocessing, AT, DSM, DEM, ortho-rectification, mosaic etc. After that, the feasibility of quality control ways proposed will be verified by actual production project. All the advices can be used as references for large-scale application of new technology in information surveying system.
GENERAL ANALYZING AND RESEARCH ON UNCERTAINTY OF MULTI-SCALE REPRESENTATION FOR STREET-BLOCK SETTLEMENT
Authors: Xu F. , Niu J. , Chi Z. , Xie W.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Analyzing and evaluating the reliability of multi-scale representation of spatial data are already becoming an important issue of the current digital cartography and GIS. Settlement place is the main content of maps. For this reason, studying on the uncertainty of multi-scale representation of settlement place is one of important contents of the uncertainty of multi-scale representation of spatial data. In this paper, uncertainty of multi-scale representation of street-block settlement was get comprehensive analysis and system research. This paper holds that map generalization is the essential cause leading to uncertainty of multi-scale representation of streetblock settlement. First, it is explored of essence and types of uncertainty on multi-scale representation of street-block settlement, and it divides these uncertainties into four large classes and seven subclasses. Second, among all kinds of uncertainties of multi-scale representation of street-block settlement, this paper mainly studies the uncertainty of settlement of street-block symbolic representation, and establishes the evaluation content and evaluation indexes and computing method of uncertainty of street-block and street network generalization and building generalization. The result can use for evaluating the good and bad of scale transfer methods and the uncertainty of products of multi-scale representation of street-block settlement.
Mobile sensor platforms: categorisation and research applications in precision farming
Authors: Zecha C. W. , Link J. , Claupein W.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The usage of mobile sensor platforms arose in research a few decades ago. Since the beginning of satellite sensing, measurement principles and analysing methods have become widely implemented for aerial and ground vehicles. Mainly in Europe, the United States and Australia, sensor platforms in precision farming are used for surveying, monitoring and scouting tasks. This review gives an overview of available sensor platforms used in recent agricultural and related research projects. A general categorisation tree for platforms is outlined in this work. Working in manual, automatic or autonomous ways, these ground platforms and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with an agricultural scope are presented with their sensor equipment and the possible architectural models. Thanks to advances in highly powerful electronics, smaller devices mounted on platforms have become economically feasible for many applications. Designed to work automatically or autonomously, they will be able to interact in intelligent swarms. Sensor platforms can fulfil the need for developing, testing and optimising new applications in precision farming like weed control or pest management. Furthermore, commercial suppliers of platform hardware used in sensing tasks are listed.
Sulfur dioxide emissions from Papandayan and Bromo, two Indonesian volcanoes
Authors: Bani P. ,   Surono, Hendrasto M. , Gunawan H. , Primulyana S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Indonesia hosts 79 active volcanoes, representing 14% of all active volcanoes worldwide. However, little is known about their passive degassing into the atmosphere due to isolation and access difficulties. Existing SO2 emission budgets for the Indonesian archipelago are based on extrapolations and inferences as there is a considerable lack of field assessments of degassing. Here, we present the first SO2 flux measurements using DOAS for Papandayan and Bromo, two of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Results indicate mean SO2 emission rates of 1.4 t d−1 from the fumarolic activity of Papandayan and more than 22–32 t d−1 of SO2 released by Bromo during a declining eruptive phase.
Recirculation in the Fram Strait and transports of water in and north of the Fram Strait derived from CTD data
Authors: Marnela M. , Rudels B. , Houssais M.-N. , Beszczynska-Möller A. , Eriksson P. B.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The volume, heat and freshwater transports in the Fram Strait are estimated from geostrophic computations based on summer hydrographic data from 1984, 1997, 2002 and 2004. In these years, in addition to the usually sampled section along 79° N, a section between Greenland and Svalbard was sampled further north. Quasi-closed boxes bounded by the two sections and Greenland and Svalbard can then be formed. Applying conservation constraints on these boxes provides barotropic reference velocities. The net volume flux is southward and varies between 2 and 4 Sv. The recirculation of Atlantic water is about 2 Sv. Heat is lost to the atmosphere and the heat loss from the area between the sections averaged over the four years is about 10 TW. The net heat (temperature) transport is 20 TW northward into the Arctic Ocean, with large interannual differences. The mean net freshwater added between the sections is 40 mSv and the mean freshwater transport southward across 79° N is less than 60 mSv, indicating that most of the liquid freshwater leaving the Arctic Ocean through Fram Strait in summer is derived from sea ice melt in the northern vicinity of the strait. In 1997, 2001 and 2003 meridional sections along 0° longitude were sampled and in 2003 two smaller boxes can be formed, and the recirculation of Atlantic water in the strait is estimated by geostrophic computations and continuity constraints. The recirculation is weaker close to 80° N than close to 78° N, indicating that the recirculation is mainly confined to the south of 80° N. This is supported by the observations in 1997 and 2001, when only the northern part of the meridional section, from 79° N to 80° N, can be computed with the constraints applied. The recirculation is found strongest close to 79° N.
Satellite-derived volume loss rates and glacier speeds for the Cordillera Darwin Icefield, Chile
Authors: Melkonian A. K. , Willis M. J. , Pritchard M. E. , Rivera A. , Bown F. , Bernstein S. A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. We produce the first icefield-wide volume change rate and glacier velocity estimates for the Cordillera Darwin Icefield (CDI), a 2605 km2 temperate icefield in southern Chile (69.6° W, 54.6° S). Velocities are measured from optical and radar imagery between 2001–2011. Thirty-six digital elevation models (DEMs) from ASTER and the SRTM DEM are stacked and a weighted linear regression is applied to elevations on a pixel-by-pixel basis to estimate volume change rates. The CDI lost mass at an average rate of −3.9 ± 1.5 Gt yr−1 between 2000 and 2011, equivalent to a sea level rise (SLR) of 0.01 ± 0.004 mm yr−1 and an area-averaged thinning rate of −1.5 ± 0.6 m w.e.(water equivalent) yr−1. Thinning is widespread, with concentrations near the front of two northern glaciers (Marinelli, Darwin) and one western (CDI-08) glacier. Thickening is apparent in the south, most notably over the advancing Garibaldi Glacier. The northeastern part of the CDI has an average thinning rate of −1.9 ± 0.7 m w.e. yr−1, while the southwestern part has an average thinning rate of −1.0 ± 0.4 m w.e. yr−1. Velocities are obtained over many of the CDI glaciers for the first time. We provide a repeat speed time series at the Marinelli Glacier. There we measure maximum front speeds of 7.5 ± 0.2 m day−1 in 2001, 9.5 ± 0.6 m day−1 in 2003 and 10 ± 0.3 m day−1 in 2011. The maintenance of high front speeds from 2001 to 2011 supports the hypothesis that Marinelli is in the retreat phase of the tidewater cycle, with dynamic thinning governed by the fjord bathymetry.
Snow cover thickness estimation using radial basis function networks
Authors: Binaghi E. , Pedoia V. , Guidali A. , Guglielmin M.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. This paper reports an experimental study designed for the in-depth investigation of how the radial basis function network (RBFN) estimates snow cover thickness as a function of climate and topographic parameters. The estimation problem is modeled in terms of both function regression and classification, obtaining continuous and discrete thickness values, respectively. The model is based on a minimal set of climatic and topographic data collected from a limited number of stations located in the Italian Central Alps. Several experiments have been conceived and conducted adopting different evaluation indexes. A comparison analysis was also developed for a quantitative evaluation of the advantages of the RBFN method over to conventional widely used spatial interpolation techniques when dealing with critical situations originated by lack of data and limited n-homogeneously distributed instrumented sites. The RBFN model proved competitive behavior and a valuable tool in critical situations in which conventional techniques suffer from a lack of representative data.
A case of isolated rectal recurrence of muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Kassam Shaqil N. , Aziz Zared , Hung Lick San , Sridhar Srikala S.
Published: May 2013

We present the case of a 53-year-old man with a twenty-five pack year smoking history and a six month history of gross hematuria, who presented with a pT3a, N0, M0, muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). He declined neoadjuvant chemotherapy but did receive post-cystectomy adjuvant chemotherapy. Six months post adjuvant chemotherapy he presented with abdominal pain and a large bowel obstruction, and was found to have an isolated rectal recurrence of MIBC. This case illustrates two important issues. The first being that patients with a smoking history and symptoms of hematuria need to be carefully evaluated to rule out urothelial cancer. And second, for patients with muscle invasive disease, local pelvic recurrence is common and close surveillance for recurrence needs to be implemented.
Prostate cancer-specific survival differences in patients treated by radical prostatectomy versus curative radiotherapy
Authors: DeGroot Julie M. , Brundage Michael D. , Lam Miu , Rohland Susan L. , Heaton Jeremy , Mackillop William J. , Siemens D. Robert , Groome Patti A.
Published: May 2013

Objective: We compared the cause-specific survival of patientswho received radiotherapy to those who received surgery for cureof their prostate cancer using a number of design and analytic stepsto mitigate confounding by indication.Methods: This was a case-cohort study of 2213 patients in theOntario Cancer Registry diagnosed between 1990 and 1998 whowere either treatment candidates or received curative radiotherapyor surgery. Cases included patients who died of prostate cancerwithin 10 years. The study population was restricted to those whowere candidates for either treatment (radiotherapy or surgery)based on disease severity (low and intermediate risk using theGenitourinary Radiation Oncologists of Canada risk groups). Themedian follow-up was 51 months. Cause-specific survival wasanalyzed using Cox-proportional hazards regression with casecohortvariance adjustment.Results from intent-to-treat analyseswere compared to results by treatment received.Results: Adjusted hazard ratios for risk of prostate cancer death forradiotherapy compared to surgery for the entire study populationwere 1.62 (95%CI 1.00-2.61) and 2.02 (1.19-3.43) analyzing byintent-to-treat and treatment received, respectively. Intent-to-treathazard ratios for the low- and intermediate-risk groups were 0.87(0.28-2.76) and 1.57 (0.95-2.61), respectively.Conclusion: Overall results were driven by the finding in the intermediate-risk group, which indicated that radiotherapy was not aseffective as surgery in this group. Confirmation was needed withspecial attention paid to risk stratification and the impact of morecontemporary delivery of these treatment options.
Long-term results of retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma in China
Authors: Wang Xiao-Qing , Jiang Feng-Ming , Chen Qi-Hui , Hou Yu-Chuan , Zhang Hai-Feng , Hao Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Long , Wang Chun-Xi
Published: May 2013

Objective: We compared long-term clinical outcomes of upperurinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) patients treated byretroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy (RNU) or open radicalnephroureterectomy (ONU).Methods: Upper urinary tract TCC patients were treated with RNU(n = 86) or ONU (n = 72) and followed-up for more than threeyears. Demographic and clinical data, including preoperativeindexes, intraoperative indexes and long-term clinical outcomes,were retrospectively compared to determine long-term efficacy ofthe two procedures.Results: The RNU and ONU groups were statistically similar inage, gender, previous bladder cancer history, tumour location,pathologic tumour stage, pathologic node metastasis or tumourpathologic grade. The original surgery time required for both RNUand ONU was statistically similar, but RNU was associated witha significantly smaller volume of intraoperative estimated bloodloss and shorter length of postoperative hospital stay. Follow-up(average: 42.4 months, range: 3-57) revealed that the RNU 3-yearrecurrence-free survival rate was 62.8% and the 3-year cancerspecific survival rate was 80.7%. In the ONU group, the 3-yearrecurrence-free survival and the three-year cancer-specific survivalrates were 59.2% and 80.3%, respectively. Neither of the survivalrates were statistically different between the two groups. T stage,grade, lymph node metastasis and bladder tumour history wererisk factors for tumour recurrence; the operation mode and thebladder cuff incision mode had no correlation with the recurrencefreesurvival.Conclusion: The open surgery strategy and the retroperitoneoscopicnephroureterectomy strategy are equally effective for treating upperurinary tract TCC. However, the RNU procedure is less invasive,and requires a shorter duration of postoperative hospitalized care;thus, RNU is recommended as the preferred strategy.
Identification of lymphatic pathway involved in the spread of bladder cancer: Evidence obtained from fluorescence navigation with intraoperatively injected indocyanine green
Authors: Inoue Shogo , Shiina Hiroaki , Mitsui Yozo , Yasumoto Hiroaki , Matsubara Akio , Igawa Mikio
Published: May 2013

Introduction: We identify lymphatic vessels draining from the bladderby using fluorescence navigation (FN) system.Methods: In total, 12 candidates for radical cystectomy and pelviclymph node dissection (PLND) were included in this study. Afteran indocyanine green (ICG) solution was injected into the bladderduring radical cystectomy, lymphatic vessels draining from thebladder were analyzed using a FN system. PLND was based onthe lymphatic mapping created from the FN measurements (in vivoprobing) in the external iliac, obturator and internal iliac regions;after PLND, the fluorescence of the removed lymph nodes (LNs)was analyzed on the bench (ex vivo probing).Results: There were no patients with complications associated withthe intravesical ICG injection. A lymphatic pathway along inferiorvesical vessels to internal iliac LNs was clearly illustrated in 7 cases.Under in-vivo probing, the fluorescence intensity of internal iliacnodes was greater than that of external iliac or obturator nodes.Under ex-vivo probing, the fluorescence intensity of internal iliacand obturator nodes was greater than that of external iliac nodes.Conclusions: Using an FN system after injecting ICG during a radicalcystectomy operation is a safe and rational approach to detectingthe lymphatic channel draining from the bladder.
Duloxetine for the treatment of post-prostatectomy stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Neff Donald , Guise Amy , Guralnick Michael L. , Langenstroer Peter , See William A. , Jacobsohn Kenneth M. , O’Connor R. Corey
Published: May 2013

Objectives: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a known complication following prostatectomy. Duloxetine, a combined serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, can decrease SUI by increasing urethral sphincter contractility. We examined the outcomes of patients with mild to moderate post-prostatectomy SUI treated with duloxetine.Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of men treated with duloxetine to manage mild to moderate post-prostatectomy SUI from 2006 to 2012. All patients received oral duloxetine 30 mg once a week, then 60 mg thereafter. Patients were seen one month later to determine drug efficacy and side effects.Results: In total, 94 men were included in the study. Daily pad usage decreased from 2.9 (range: 1-5) to 1.6 (range: 0-4) (p < 0.05). Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) scores decreased from 13.0 (range: 6-18) to 7.9 (range: 2-16) (p < 0.05). Linear satisfaction scores improved from 0.8 (range: 0-2) to 2.0 (range: 1-3) (p < 0.05). Following a 1-month duloxetine trial, 33/94 (35%) men reported satisfactory SUI improvement and requested to continue the medication. The drug was discontinued in 61/94 (65%) patients due to poor efficacy in 32/94 (34%), intolerable side effects in 14/94 (15%) or both in 15/94 (16%). Reported side effects included fatigue, light-headedness, insomnia, nausea and dry mouth.Conclusions: Duloxetine improved post-prostatectomy SUI in 47/94 (50%) men following a 1-month trial. However, only 33/94 (35%) patients were able to tolerate the drug. Duloxetine may be considered a treatment option for men with mild to moderate post-prostatectomy SUI.
Babil glossolalique et voyage aux limites des mots
Authors: Beaude Pierre-Marie
Published: May 2013

Dans cette étude, l’auteur analyse deux manières très opposées de se servir des mots : la glossolalie et la prophétie-anathème d’une part, et l’expérience de langage rapportée par l’apôtre Paul en 2 Co 12.
L’arrière-fond néopythagoricien de la chute (σφάλμα/νεῦσις) de l’Âme dans la gnose et son écho dans les traités 33 et 34 de Plotin
Authors: Narbonne Jean-Marc
Published: May 2013

Pour parler de la chute ou de la déclinaison de l’Âme (Sophia) dans le cadre des récits cosmogoniques gnostiques, Plotin a recours, en sus du terme νεῦσις, au substantif σφάλμα (ou encore au verbe correspondant σφάλλεσθαι), comme s’il s’agissait d’un synonyme de νεῦσις. L’enquête que nous avons menée montre le bien-fondé de cet usage, puisque le terme σφάλμα est, de fait, utilisé par les hérésiologues pour décrire, dans un langage hérité du néo-pythagorisme et donc rythmé par le nombre, la chute de Sophia, laquelle incarne le douzième éon de la Dodécade en même temps que le trentième et dernier éon de l’ensemble du Plérôme. Rapporté à la métaphysique pythagoricienne dont il relève, le récit gnostique perd toute apparence d’arbitraire et révèle enfin sa véritable structure, commandée de bout en bout par le nombre. Il est raisonnable de penser que l’arithmologie rivale du traité 34 de Plotin est là pour y couper court.
Pierre Deffontaines, géographe de la « noosphère». Une lecture de Géographie et religions
Authors: Dejean Frédéric
Published: May 2013

La publication en 1948 de Géographie et religions par Pierre Deffontaines témoigne de l’intérêt nouveau des géographes pour le fait religieux. L’auteur présente son ouvrage comme la description minutieuse et exhaustive des marqueurs du religieux dans le paysage. Notre article montre que, à rebours du caractère descriptif du développement, les pages introductives et conclusives sont l’occasion pour l’auteur de revisiter le thème du déterminisme naturel en opérant un renversement original par rapport à la perspective classique. À un second niveau, Pierre Deffontaines propose en filigrane une définition personnelle de la géographie qui s’appuie sur des auteurs inattendus sous la plume d’un géographe, à savoir le Jésuite Pierre Teilhard de Chardin et le philosophe Henri Bergson. La géographie est alors présentée comme une discipline humaniste qui témoigne de l’action de la pensée dans la matière.