bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative Sound Design of Car Alarms
Authors: Misdariis Nicolas , Sigman Alexander
Published: June 2016

The present chapter examines the interaction between information needs and musical creativity in light of a case study concerning auditory warnings. As the object of study (auditory warnings or more specifically, audible alarms) is outside the scope of a sensu stricto musical field, the chapter offers a broader discussion of the role of information within the sound creation practice or sound design with the aim to explore the development of new car alarm sonic vocabularies and interactive systems, extending the conventional and rather limited current research domain of audible alarms. The chapter also presents the underlying collaborative model of a scientist and an artist who worked together to exchange know-how and knowledge in the context of an innovative project with research, artistic, and industrial implications.
Design of an Automatic Music Transcription System for the Traditional Repertoire of the Marovany Zither from Madagascar
Authors: Cazau Dorian , Chemillier Marc , Adam Olivier
Published: June 2016

This chapter presents an original approach for the development of an automatic music transcription system of a Malagasy traditional plucked string instrument, called marovany zither. Our approach is based on a technology of multichannel capturing sensory system, which allows breaking down a complex polyphonic audio signal into a sum of monophonic sensor signals. A very high precision in transcription is obtained, i.e. & gt; 95% on the average note-based F-measure metric. A second part of this chapter consists in using these transcripts in the human-machine improvisation system ImproteK. Details of an exploratory working session with a local Malagasy musician are reported and discussed.
A Smallest Grammar Approach to the Symbolic Analysis of Music
Authors: Sidorov Kirill , Jones Andrew Clifford , Marshall David
Published: June 2016

In this chapter we discuss symbolic analysis of music using grammars, and present a novel approach to such an analysis, in which a compressive grammar is automatically generated explaining a musical work's structure. The proposed method is predicated on the hypothesis that the shortest possible grammar provides a model of the musical structure which is a good representation of the composer's intent. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated by comparison of the results with previously published expert analysis; our automated approach produces results comparable to human annotation. We also illustrate the power of our approach by showing that it is able to locate errors in scores, such as those introduced by OMR or human transcription. Further, our approach provides a novel mechanism for intuitive high-level editing and creative transformation of music. A wide range of other possible applications exists, including automatic summarization and simplification; estimation of musical complexity and similarity, and plagiarism detection.
Exploring Singing Vocal Pedagogy in the Greek Elementary School through Interactive Technologies
Authors: Stavropoulou Sofia , Georgaki Anastasia
Published: June 2016

A growing body of interdisciplinary research suggests that children's structured engagement in musical activities may have a positive impact on social inclusion by means of offering opportunities for social bonding, developing interpersonal relationships and empowering self-expression, health and well-being. In this paper we investigate the amelioration of children's voice accuracy and quality in signing through a visual feedback software. The research took place in two public elementary schools in Athens in a total of sixty children aged 6-9 years old and with a different cultural background. The statistical analysis on the effectiveness of the software has proved the amelioration of the children's voice quality before and after its use.
Strategic Management of Data and Challenges for Organizations
Authors: Roberts Stephen Andrew , Laurie Bruce
Published: June 2016

Public, organizational and personal data has never been so much in the forefront of discussion and attention as at the present time. The term ‘Big Data' (BD) has become part of public discourse, in the press, broadcast media and on the web. Most people in the wider public have very little idea of what it is and what it means but anyone who gives it a thought will see it as contemporary and relevant to life as much as to business. This paper is directed towards the perspectives of people working in, managing and developing organizations which are dedicated to fulfilling their respective purposes. All organizations need to understand their strategic purpose and to develop strategies and tactical responses accordingly. The organizations' purpose and the frameworks and resources adopted are part of its quest for achievement which creates value and worth. BD is a potential and actual source of value.
Descriptive and Predictive Analytical Methods for Big Data
Authors: Kalaian Sema A. , Kasim Rafa M. , Kasim Nabeel R.
Published: June 2016

Data analytics and modeling are powerful analytical tools for knowledge discovery through examining and capturing the complex and hidden relationships and patterns among the quantitative variables in the existing massive structured Big Data in efforts to predict future enterprise performance. The main purpose of this chapter is to present a conceptual and practical overview of some of the basic and advanced analytical tools for analyzing structured Big Data. The chapter covers descriptive and predictive analytical methods. Descriptive analytical tools such as mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation, and data visualization methods (e.g., histograms, line charts) are covered. Predictive analytical tools for analyzing Big Data such as correlation, simple- and multiple- linear regression are also covered in the chapter.
Statistical Features for Extractive Automatic Text Summarization
Authors: Meena Yogesh Kumar , Gopalani Dinesh
Published: June 2016

Automatic Text Summarization (ATS) enables users to save their precious time to retrieve their relevant information need while searching voluminous big data. Text summaries are sensitive to scoring methods, as most of the methods requires to weight features for sentence scoring. In this chapter, various statistical features proposed by researchers for extractive automatic text summarization are explored. Features that perform well are termed as best features using ROUGE evaluation measures and used for creating feature combinations. After that, best performing feature combinations are identified. Performance evaluation of best performing feature combinations on short, medium and large size documents is also conducted using same ROUGE performance measures.
Application of Complex Event Processing Techniques to Big Data Related to Healthcare
Authors: Mohamedali Fehmida , Oussena Samia
Published: June 2016

Healthcare is a growth area for event processing applications. Computers and information systems have been used for collecting patient data in health care for over fifty years. However, progress towards a unified health care delivery system in the UK has been slow. Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Complex Event Processing (CEP) have the potential not only to deal with treatment areas of healthcare domain but also to redefine healthcare services. This study is intended to provide a broad overview of where in the health sector, the application of CEP is most used, the data sources that contribute to it and the types of event processing languages and techniques implemented. By systematic review of existing literature on the application of CEP techniques in Healthcare, a number of use cases have been identified to provide a detailed analysis of the most common used case(s), common data sources in use and highlight CEP query language types and techniques that have been considered.
Australian Local Government Perspectives on Contemporary Structural Reform
Authors: Dollery Brian , Kortt Michael , Drew Joseph
Published: June 2016

This chapter examines the municipal merger programs in the different Australian state and territory local government systems. In particular, it considers whether the amalgamation policies have met the claims made about their efficacy by advocates of amalgamation. The chapter outlines the characteristics of Australian local councils in comparative perspective, briefly describes the major problems confronting Australian local government, provides a synoptic account of the extant literature on structural reform in local government, and summarises Australian municipal merger programs. It then considers their impact as seen through the prism of a host of public inquiries into local government in the different states, as well as the scholarly literature. The chapter concludes with some comparative analysis of Australian merger programs with similar policies in other countries.
Between Legitimation and Decentralisation
Authors: Bonifaz Gustavo Xavier
Published: June 2016

The present paper aims at answering why a country that shared, with other Latin American states, a centralist tradition that was even strengthened in the aftermath of its 1952 revolution, became one of the most radical and complex decentralisers in the region. The present is a country case study in which, using a process-tracing analysis, the evolution of decentralisation in Bolivia will be explained up to its current complex structure from a perspective of the relationship between political legitimation under competitive elections and the way in which the party system processed longstanding tensions between the state and different segments of society.
The Curbing of Corruption by Formal and Informal Accountability at the Indonesian Local Governments
Authors: Kabullah Muhammad Ichsan , Wahab Syaiful
Published: June 2016

According to the compilation of Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by Transparency International Indonesia on 2006, 2008 and 2010, 85 percent of the Indonesia local governments got a score less than 5 with meaning highly corrupt. However, there are exceptions such as Yogyakarta City. Yogyakarta is one of the areas with relatively low levels of corruption in its local governments in 2006 (5.59), 2008 (6.33), and 2010 (5.81). So, what does Yogyakarta do differently? One of the reasons for the differences in corruption level might be that, where it is widely supposed that corruption is negatively related to accountability, increased accountability is mostly implemented by formal mechanism. Special for Yogyakarta is that it, next to such formal ways of accountability, makes extensive use of informal ways to improve accountability. As such, the success of Yogyakarta as one of the Indonesian regions with the lowest levels of corruption is interesting to study in that it might provide additional insight in existing theoretical perspectives on accountability.
Custos, desempenho e estrutura educacional do ensino fundamental: uma análise no município de Rolândia/PR
Authors: Catelan Davi Winter , Negreiros Leticia Fernandes de , Amâncio-Vieira Saulo Fabiano , Carvalho Sérgio Carlos
Published: June 2016

Este artigo objetiva analisar as relações entre custos, desempenho e estrutura das diferentes unidades escolares de ensino fundamental da cidade de Rolândia/PR. O estudo tem caráter quantitativo e descritivo, desenvolvendo uma pesquisa de levantamento no município de Rolândia/PR. Para a analise dos dados utiliza-se a estatística descritiva e a análise de correlação. Como resultado, verifica-se que há assimetrias na relação custo/aluno existente entre as escolas pesquisadas, sendo necessário realizar novos estudos para verificar possíveis causas dessas diferenças encontradas. Ademais, nota-se que as escolas que obtiveram maior custo/aluno não necessariamente apresentaram os melhores desempenhos no Índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica [IDEB]. Outro dado do estudo, revelado pela análise de correlação, é de que professores mais experientes conseguem extrair um melhor aprendizado dos alunos. Convém destacar que este trabalho é um esforço inicial para que se desenvolva junto aos municípios mecanismos para melhor gerenciamento dos serviços públicos.
Conservadorismo contábil e a adoção das IFRS: evidências em empresas brasileiras familiares e não familiares
Authors: Santana André Gobette , Klann Roberto Carlos
Published: June 2016

O presente estudo tem como objetivo verificar a influência da convergência das normas brasileiras de contabilidade às normas contábeis internacionais no conservadorismo contábil de empresas brasileiras familiares e não familiares. Pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa e apoiada em pesquisadocumental foi desenvolvida para tal. Para medir o conservadorismo condicional foi utilizado o modelo de Ball e Shivakumar (2005). A amostra compreendeu 315 empresas no período de 2003 a 2012, dividida em familiares e não familiares. Entre as técnicas estatísticas utilizadas na análise dos dados destacam-se a análise de dados em painel, teste LM de Breusch-Pagan, teste VIF, correção de White e teste de Durbin-Watson. Os resultados empíricos do estudo rejeitaram a hipótese de que a convergência das normas brasileiras de contabilidade às normas contábeis internacionais influenciou o nível de conservadorismo contábil de empresas brasileiras, o que foi observado tanto na amostra total quanto na subamostra de empresas não familiares. Somente para empresas familiares tal confirmação estatística foi possível. Assim, conclui-se que há evidencias de que a adoção das IFRS resultou em uma elevação do nível de conservadorismo contábil verificado nos relatórios de empresas brasileiras de controle familiar.
Ações preferenciais brasileiras: passivos financeiros ou instrumentos patrimoniais?
Authors: Almeida Diana Lucia de , Costa Patricia De Souza , Martins Eliseu
Published: June 2016

As ações preferenciais no Brasil, geralmente, exceto quando apresentam características específicas, tais como cláusulas de resgate e cumulatividade de dividendos, atendem à definição contábil de instrumento patrimonial. Porém, a literatura científica acredita que essas ações, quando não possuem discricionariedade de evitar a entrega de caixa, devem ser classificadas como passivo financeiro. Em um contexto em que remanescem divergências de entendimento sobre o seu adequado tratamento contábil, o objetivo principal deste estudo é verificar se as ações preferenciais de empresas brasileiras vêm sendo contabilizadas conforme a literatura científica e as normas contábeis. Por meio de análise de conteúdo, foram analisadas 157 empresas listadas na BM&FBOVESPA. Os resultados demonstram que 155 empresas classificam suas ações preferenciais como instrumentos patrimoniais e 2 como passivos financeiros. Essas 2 empresas, bem como 149 das que classificam como instrumentos patrimoniais, estão tratando-as adequadamente em sua contabilidade. As demais 6 empresas deveriam apresentar suas ações preferenciais como passivos financeiros, haja vista a ausência de discricionariedade em evitar a entrega de caixa, característica presente nos passivos financeiros, ao contrário de instrumentos patrimoniais. Percebe-se que, diferentemente do que ocorre, por exemplo, no mercado norte-americano, não é possível classificar todas as ações preferenciais brasileiras como passivo financeiro, uma vez que, no Brasil, elas são utilizadas em formatação jurídica diferente daquelas amplamente encontradas naquele mercado. Ademais, quase a totalidade das ações analisadas possui características essenciais para a classificação como instrumentos patrimoniais. Daí a importância da análise da essência econômica de cada instrumento, permitindo, assim, o adequado tratamento contábil nas demonstrações financeiras.
Editorial
Authors: Rodrigues Marcelo Soncini
Published: June 2016

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Digital non-metric image-based documentation for the preservation and restoration of mural paintings: the case of the Üzümlü Rock-hewn Church, Turkey
Authors: Higuchi Ryo , Suzuki Tamaki , Shibata Mina , Taniguchi Yoko , Gülyaz Murat
Published: June 2016

Digital photography is a valuable documentation technique for the preservation of a cultural heritage site because highresolution photography presents both general and detailed views of mural paintings and mural condition in a single image. Advanced digital technology is particularly helpful for preserving and restoring mural paintings given that the painting condition is recorded on high-resolution base maps shows how mural paintings are damaged by environmental stresses, mechanical damages and inappropriate treatments, among others. In addition, photogrammetric software technology is rapidly advancing and being applied to the digital documentation of mural paintings or rock art. Nevertheless, human experience and investigation of mural paintings is indispensable for recording the condition of mural paintings, and this highlights that every step of documentation conducted in situ is desirable. However, images by photogrammetric software do not show sufficient resolution because most normal portable computers used on-site are not usually sufficient. Based on our experience at the Üzümlü Church in Cappadocia, Turkey, we propose a new approach to document mural conditions in situ for preservation and restoration. Our method is based on a comparison of a non-metric but approximate high-resolution image with the actual mural paintings. The method does not require special instruments and enables digital documentation of the mural condition in situ at a low cost, in a short time frame and using minimal human resources.
Development and Pilot of the Caregiver Strategies Inventory
Authors: Kirby Anne V. , Little Lauren M. , Schultz Beth , Watson Linda R. , Zhang Wanqing , Baranek Grace T.
Published: June 2016

Children with autism spectrum disorder often demonstrate unusual behavioral responses to sensory stimuli (i.e., sensory features). To manage everyday activities, caregivers may implement strategies to address these features during family routines. However, investigation of specific strategies used by caregivers is limited by the lack of empirically developed measures. In this study, we describe the development and pilot results of the Caregiver Strategies Inventory (CSI), a supplement to the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire Version 3.0 (SEQ 3.0; Baranek, 2009) that measures caregivers’ strategies in response to their children’s sensory features. Three conceptually derived and empirically grounded strategy types were tested: cognitive–behavioral, sensory–perceptual, and avoidance. Results indicated that the CSI demonstrated good internal consistency and that strategy use was related to child age and cognition. Moreover, parent feedback after completing the CSI supported its utility and social validity. The CSI may be used alongside the SEQ 3.0 to facilitate a family-centered approach to assessment and intervention planning.
Heterogeneous ice nucleation on dust particles sourced from 9 deserts worldwide – Part 1: Immersion freezing
Authors: Boose Yvonne , Welti André , Atkinson James , Ramelli Fabiola , Danielczok Anja , Bingemer Heinz G. , Plötze Michael , Sierau Berko , Kanji Zamin A. , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Desert dust is one of the most abundant ice nucleating particle types in the atmosphere. Traditionally, clay minerals were assumed to determine the ice nucleation ability of desert dust and constituted the focus of ice nucleation studies. Only recently some feldspar species were identified to be ice-active at much higher temperatures than clay minerals, redirecting studies to investigate the contribution of feldspar to ice nucleation on desert dust. However, so far no study has shown the atmospheric relevance of this mineral phase. For this study four dust samples were collected after airborne transport in the troposphere from the Sahara to different locations (Crete, the Peloponnese, Canary Islands and the Sinai Peninsula). Additionally, eleven dust samples were collected from the surface from nine of the biggest deserts worldwide. The samples were used to study the ice nucleation behavior specific to different desert dusts. Furthermore we investigated how representative ice nucleation on surface-collected dust is for that in the atmosphere by comparing to the ice nucleation activity of the airborne samples. We used the IMCA-ZINC set-up to form droplets on single aerosol particles which were subsequently exposed to temperatures between 233–250 K. Dust particles were collected in parallel on filters for offline cold stage ice nucleation experiments at 253–263 K. To help the interpretation of the results from the ice nucleation experiments the mineralogical composition of the dusts was investigated. We found that a higher ice nucleation activity in a given sample can be attributed at 253 K to the K-feldspar content present in this sample whereas at temperatures between 238–245 K it is attributed to the sum of feldspar and quartz content present. A high clay content on the other hand is associated with a lower ice nucleation activity of a sample. This confirms the importance of feldspar at T > 250 K and the role of quartz and feldspars determining the ice nucleation activities at lower T as found by earlier studies for monomineral dust surrogates. Furthermore, we find that milling may lead to a decrease in the ice nucleation ability of polymineral samples due to a change in mineralogical composition in the atmospherically relevant size fraction arising from the different hardness and cleavage of individual mineral phases. Comparison of our comprehensive data set to an existing desert dust parameterization confirms its applicability for climate models. Our results suggest that for an improved prediction of the ice nucleation ability of desert dust in the atmosphere, the modelling of emission and atmospheric transport of the feldspar and quartz mineral phases would be key while other minerals are only of minor importance.
Retrieval algorithm for rainfall mapping from microwave links in a cellular communication network
Authors: Overeem Aart , Leijnse Hidde , Uijlenhoet Remko
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Microwave links in commercial cellular communication networks hold a promise for areal rainfall monitoring and could complement rainfall estimates from ground-based weather radars, rain gauges, and satellites. It has been shown that country-wide (≈  35 500 km2) 15 min rainfall maps can be derived from the signal attenuations of approximately 2400 microwave links in such a network. Here we give a detailed description of the employed rainfall retrieval algorithm. Moreover, the documented, modular, and user-friendly code (a package in the scripting language “R”) is made available, including a 2-day data set of approximately 2600 commercial microwave links from the Netherlands. The purpose of this paper is to promote rainfall mapping utilising microwave links from cellular communication networks as an alternative or complementary means for continental-scale rainfall monitoring.
Generalised partition functions: inferences on phase space distributions
Authors: Treumann Rudolf A. , Baumjohann Wolfgang
Published: June 2016

Abstract. It is demonstrated that the statistical mechanical partition function can be used to construct various different forms of phase space distributions. This indicates that its structure is not restricted to the Gibbs–Boltzmann factor prescription which is based on counting statistics. With the widely used replacement of the Boltzmann factor by a generalised Lorentzian (also known as the q-deformed exponential function, where κ = 1∕|q − 1|, with κ, q ∈ R) both the kappa-Bose and kappa-Fermi partition functions are obtained in quite a straightforward way, from which the conventional Bose and Fermi distributions follow for κ → ∞. For κ ≠ ∞ these are subject to the restrictions that they can be used only at temperatures far from zero. They thus, as shown earlier, have little value for quantum physics. This is reasonable, because physical κ systems imply strong correlations which are absent at zero temperature where apart from stochastics all dynamical interactions are frozen. In the classical large temperature limit one obtains physically reasonable κ distributions which depend on energy respectively momentum as well as on chemical potential. Looking for other functional dependencies, we examine Bessel functions whether they can be used for obtaining valid distributions. Again and for the same reason, no Fermi and Bose distributions exist in the low temperature limit. However, a classical Bessel–Boltzmann distribution can be constructed which is a Bessel-modified Lorentzian distribution. Whether it makes any physical sense remains an open question. This is not investigated here. The choice of Bessel functions is motivated solely by their convergence properties and not by reference to any physical demands. This result suggests that the Gibbs–Boltzmann partition function is fundamental not only to Gibbs–Boltzmann but also to a large class of generalised Lorentzian distributions as well as to the corresponding nonextensive statistical mechanics.
The PRIMAP-hist national historical emissions time series
Authors: Gütschow Johannes , Jeffery M. Louise , Gieseke Robert , Gebel Ronja , Stevens David , Krapp Mario , Rocha Marcia
Published: June 2016

Abstract. To assess the history of greenhouse gas emissions and individual countries' contributions to emissions and climate change, detailed historical data is needed. We combine several published datasets to create a comprehensive set of emission pathways of each country and Kyoto gas covering the years 1850 to 2014 for all UNFCCC member states as well as most non-UNFCCC territories. The sectoral resolution is that of the main IPCC 1996 categories. Additional subsectors are available for time series of CO2 from energy and industry. Country resolved data is combined from different sources and supplemented using growth rates from region resolved sources and numerical extrapolations to complete the dataset. Regional deforestation emissions are downscaled to country level using estimates of the deforested area obtained from potential vegetation and simulations of agricultural land. In this paper, we discuss the data sources and methods used and present the resulting dataset including its limitations and uncertainties. The dataset is available from http://doi.org/10.5880/PIK.2016.003 and can be viewed on the website accompanying this paper (www.pik-potsdam.de/primap-live/primap-hist/).
Towards European-Scale Convection-Resolving Climate Simulations
Authors: Leutwyler David , Fuhrer Oliver , Lapillonne Xavier , Lüthi Daniel , Schär Christoph
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The representation of moist convection in climate models represents a major challenge, due to the small scales involved. Using horizontal grid spacings of O(1km), convection-resolving weather and climate models allow to explicitly resolve deep convection. However, due to their extremely demanding computational requirements, they have so far been limited to short simulations and/or small computational domains. Innovations in supercomputing have led to new hybrid node designs, mixing conventional multicore CPUs and accelerators such as graphics processing units (GPUs). One of the first atmospheric models that has been fully ported to these architectures is the COSMO model. Here we demonstrate the convection-resolving COSMO model on continental scales using a version of the model capable of using GPU accelerators. The verification of a week-long simulation containing winter storm Kyrill shows that, for this case, convection-parameterizing simulations and convection-resolving simulations agree well. Furthermore we demonstrate the applicability of the approach to longer simulations by conducting a three-month long simulation of the summer season 2006. Its results corroborate the findings found on smaller domains such as more credible representation of the diurnal cycle of precipitation in convection-resolving models and a tendency to produce more intensive hourly precipitation events. Both simulations also show how the approach allows for the representation of interactions between synoptic-scale and meso-scale atmospheric circulations at scales ranging from 1000 to 10 km. This includes the formation of sharp cold frontal structures, convection embedded in fronts and small eddies, or the formation and organization of propagating cold pools. Finally we assess the performance gain from using heterogeneous hardware equipped with GPUs with respect to multi-core hardware. With the COSMO model, we now use a climate model that has all the necessary modules required for real-case convection-resolving climate simulations on GPUs.
Accuracy Validation of Large-scale Block Adjustment without Control of ZY3 Images over China
Authors: Yang Bo
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Mapping from optical satellite images without ground control is one of the goals of photogrammetry. Using 8802 three linear array stereo images (a total of 26406 images) of ZY3 over China, we propose a large-scale and non-control block adjustment method of optical satellite images based on the RPC model, in which a single image is regarded as an adjustment unit to be organized. To overcome the block distortion caused by unstable adjustment without ground control and the excessive accumulation of errors, we use virtual control points created by the initial RPC model of the images as the weighted observations and add them into the adjustment model to refine the adjustment. We use 8000 uniformly distributed high precision check points to evaluate the geometric accuracy of the DOM (Digital Ortho Model) and DSM (Digital Surface Model) production, for which the standard deviations of plane and elevation are 3.6 m and 4.2 m respectively. The geometric accuracy is consistent across the whole block and the mosaic accuracy of neighboring DOM is within a pixel, thus, the seamless mosaic could take place. This method achieves the goal of an accuracy of mapping without ground control better than 5 m for the whole China from ZY3 satellite images.
AUTOMATIC MRF-BASED REGISTRATION OF HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE VIDEO DATA
Authors: Platias C. , Vakalopoulou M. , Karantzalos K.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. In this paper we propose a deformable registration framework for high resolution satellite video data able to automatically and accurately co-register satellite video frames and/or register them to a reference map/image. The proposed approach performs non-rigid registration, formulates a Markov Random Fields (MRF) model, while efficient linear programming is employed for reaching the lowest potential of the cost function. The developed approach has been applied and validated on satellite video sequences from Skybox Imaging and compared with a rigid, descriptor-based registration method. Regarding the computational performance, both the MRF-based and the descriptor-based methods were quite efficient, with the first one converging in some minutes and the second in some seconds. Regarding the registration accuracy the proposed MRF-based method significantly outperformed the descriptor-based one in all the performing experiments.
SATELLITE IMAGERY ASSISTED ROAD-BASED VISUAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Authors: Volkova A. , Gibbens P. W
Published: June 2016

Abstract. There is a growing demand for unmanned aerial systems as autonomous surveillance, exploration and remote sensing solutions. Among the key concerns for robust operation of these systems is the need to reliably navigate the environment without reliance on global navigation satellite system (GNSS). This is of particular concern in Defence circles, but is also a major safety issue for commercial operations. In these circumstances, the aircraft needs to navigate relying only on information from on-board passive sensors such as digital cameras. An autonomous feature-based visual system presented in this work offers a novel integral approach to the modelling and registration of visual features that responds to the specific needs of the navigation system. It detects visual features from Google Earth* build a feature database. The same algorithm then detects features in an on-board cameras video stream. On one level this serves to localise the vehicle relative to the environment using Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM). On a second level it correlates them with the database to localise the vehicle with respect to the inertial frame. The performance of the presented visual navigation system was compared using the satellite imagery from different years. Based on comparison results, an analysis of the effects of seasonal, structural and qualitative changes of the imagery source on the performance of the navigation algorithm is presented. * The algorithm is independent of the source of satellite imagery and another provider can be used
QUALITY ANALYSIS AND CORRECTION OF MOBILE BACKPACK LASER SCANNING DATA
Authors: Rönnholm P. , Liang X. , Kukko A. , Jaakkola A. , Hyyppä J.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Backpack laser scanning systems have emerged recently enabling fast data collection and flexibility to make measurements also in areas that cannot be reached with, for example, vehicle-based laser scanners. Backpack laser scanning systems have been developed both for indoor and outdoor use. We have developed a quality analysis process in which the quality of backpack laser scanning data is evaluated in the forest environment. The reference data was collected with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) laser scanning system. The workflow included noise filtering, division of data into smaller patches, ground point extraction, ground data decimation, and ICP registration. As a result, we managed to observe the misalignments of backpack laser scanning data for 97 patches each including data from circa 10 seconds period of time. This evaluation revealed initial average misalignments of 0.227 m, 0.073 and -0.083 in the easting, northing and elevation directions, respectively. Furthermore, backpack data was corrected according to the ICP registration results. Our correction algorithm utilized the time-based linear transformation of backpack laser scanning point clouds. After the correction of data, the ICP registration was run again. This revealed remaining misalignments between the corrected backpack laser scanning data and the original UAV data. We found average misalignments of 0.084, 0.020 and -0.005 meters in the easting, northing and elevation directions, respectively.
RPC STEREO PROCESSOR (RSP) – A SOFTWARE PACKAGE FOR DIGITAL SURFACE MODEL AND ORTHOPHOTO GENERATION FROM SATELLITE STEREO IMAGERY
Authors: Qin R.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Large-scale Digital Surface Models (DSM) are very useful for many geoscience and urban applications. Recently developed dense image matching methods have popularized the use of image-based very high resolution DSM. Many commercial/public tools that implement matching methods are available for perspective images, but there are rare handy tools for satellite stereo images. In this paper, a software package, RPC (rational polynomial coefficient) stereo processor (RSP), is introduced for this purpose. RSP implements a full pipeline of DSM and orthophoto generation based on RPC modelled satellite imagery (level 1+), including level 2 rectification, geo-referencing, point cloud generation, pan-sharpen, DSM resampling and ortho-rectification. A modified hierarchical semi-global matching method is used as the current matching strategy. Due to its high memory efficiency and optimized implementation, RSP can be used in normal PC to produce large format DSM and orthophotos. This tool was developed for internal use, and may be acquired by researchers for academic and non-commercial purpose to promote the 3D remote sensing applications.
WIKIPEDIA ENTRIES AS A SOURCE OF CAR NAVIGATION LANDMARKS
Authors: Binski N. , Zhang L. , Dalyot S.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Car navigation system devices provide today with an easy and simple solution to the basic concept of reaching a destination. Although these systems usually achieve this goal, they still deliver a limited and poor sequence of instructions that do not consider the human nature of using landmarks during wayfinding. This research paper addresses the concept of enriching navigation route instructions by adding supplementary route information in the form of landmarks. We aim at using a contributed source of landmarks information, which is easy to access, available, show high update rate, and have a large scale of information. For this, Wikipedia was chosen, since it represents the world’s largest free encyclopaedia that includes information about many spatial entities. A survey and classification of available landmarks is implemented, coupled with ranking algorithms based on the entries’ categories and attributes. These are aimed at retrieving the most relevant landmark information required that are valuable for the enrichment of a specific navigation route. The paper will present this methodology, together with examples and results, showing the feasibility of using this concept and its potential of enriching navigation processes.
DEVELOPMENT OF MATCHED (MIGRATORY ANALYTICAL TIME CHANGE EASY DETECTION) METHOD FOR SATELLITE-TRACKED MIGRATORY BIRDS
Authors: Doko Tomoko , Chen Wenbo , Higuchi Hiroyoshi
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Satellite tracking technology has been used to reveal the migration patterns and flyways of migratory birds. In general, bird migration can be classified according to migration status. These statuses include the wintering period, spring migration, breeding period, and autumn migration. To determine the migration status, periods of these statuses should be individually determined, but there is no objective method to define 'a threshold date' for when an individual bird changes its status. The research objective is to develop an effective and objective method to determine threshold dates of migration status based on satellite-tracked data. The developed method was named the “MATCHED (Migratory Analytical Time Change Easy Detection) method”. In order to demonstrate the method, data acquired from satellite-tracked Tundra Swans were used. MATCHED method is composed by six steps: 1) dataset preparation, 2) time frame creation, 3) automatic identification, 4) visualization of change points, 5) interpretation, and 6) manual correction. Accuracy was tested. In general, MATCHED method was proved powerful to identify the change points between migration status as well as stopovers. Nevertheless, identifying “exact” threshold dates is still challenging. Limitation and application of this method was discussed.
EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF REDUCTIONS IN LiDAR DATA ON THE VISUAL AND STATISTICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CREATED DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS
Authors: Asal F. F.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. With continuous developments in LiDAR technologies high point cloud densities have been attainable but accompanied by challenges for processing big volumes of data. Reductions in high point cloud densities are expected to lower data acquisition and data processing costs; however this could affect the characteristics of the generated Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). This research aimed to evaluate the effects of reductions in airborne LiDAR point cloud data densities on the visual and statistical characteristics of the generated DEMs. DEMs have been created from a dataset which constitutes last returns of raw LiDAR data that was acquired at bare lands for Gilmer County, USA between March and April 2004, where qualitative and quantitative testing analyses have been performed. Visual analysis has shown that the DEM can withstand a considerable degree of quality with reduced densities down to 0.128 pts/m2 (47 % of the data remaining), however degradations in the DEM visual characteristics appeared in coarser tones and rougher textures have occurred with more reductions. Additionally, the statistical analysis has indicated that the standard deviations of the DEM elevations have decreased by only 22 % of the total decrease with data density reductions down to 0.101 pts/m2 (37 % of the data remaining) while greater rate of decreasing in the standard deviations has occurred with more reductions referring to greater rate of surface smoothing and elevation approximating. Furthermore, the accuracy analysis testing has given that the DEM accuracy has degraded by only 4.83 % of the total degradations with data density reductions down to 0.128 pts/m2, however great deteriorations in the DEM accuracy have occurred with more data reductions. Finally, it is recommended that LiDAR data can withstand point density reductions down to 0.128 pts/m2 (about 50 % of the data) without big deteriorations in the visual and statistical characteristics of the generated DEMs.
ON-LINE WAVELENGTH CALIBRATION OF PULSED LASER FOR CO2 DIFFERENTIAL ABSORPTION LIDAR
Authors: Xiang Chengzhi , Ma Xin , Han Ge , Liang Ailin , Gong Wei
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Differential absorption lidar (DIAL) remote sensing is a promising technology for atmospheric CO2 detection. However, stringent wavelength accuracy and stability are required in DIAL system. Accurate on-line wavelength calibration is a crucial procedure for retrieving atmospheric CO2 concentration using the DIAL, particularly when pulsed lasers are adopted in the system. Large fluctuations in the intensities of a pulsed laser pose a great challenge for accurate on-line wavelength calibration. In this paper, a wavelength calibration strategy based on multi-wavelength scanning (MWS) was proposed for accurate on-line wavelength calibration of a pulsed laser for CO2 detection. The MWS conducted segmented sampling across the CO2 absorption line with appropriate number of points and range of widths by using a tunable laser. Complete absorption line of CO2 can be obtained through a curve fitting. Then, the on-line wavelength can be easily found at the peak of the absorption line. Furthermore, another algorithm called the energy matching was introduced in the MWS to eliminate the backlash error of tunable lasers during the process of on-line wavelength calibration. Finally, a series of tests was conducted to elevate the calibration precision of MWS. Analysis of tests demonstrated that the MWS proposed in this paper could calibrate the on-line wavelength of pulsed laser accurately and steadily.
POTENTIAL OF AIRBORNE IMAGING SPECTROSCOPY AT CZECHGLOBE
Authors: Hanuš J. , Fabiánek T. , Fajmon L.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Ecosystems, their services, structures and functions are affected by complex environmental processes, which are both natural and human-induced and globally changing. In order to understand how ecosystems behave in globally changing environment, it is important to monitor the current status of ecosystems and their structural and functional changes in time and space. An essential tool allowing monitoring of ecosystems is remote sensing (RS). Many ecosystems variables are being translated into a spectral response recorded by RS instruments. It is however important to understand the complexity and synergies of the key ecosystem variables influencing the reflected signal. This can be achieved by analysing high resolution RS data from multiple sources acquired simultaneously from the same platform. Such a system has been recently built at CzechGlobe - Global Change Research Institute (The Czech Academy of Sciences). CzechGlobe has been significantly extending its research infrastructure in the last years, which allows advanced monitoring of ecosystem changes at hierarchical levels spanning from molecules to entire ecosystems. One of the CzechGlobe components is a laboratory of imaging spectroscopy. The laboratory is now operating a new platform for advanced remote sensing observations called FLIS (Flying Laboratory of Imaging Spectroscopy). FLIS consists of an airborne carrier equipped with passive RS systems. The core instrument of FLIS is a hyperspectral imaging system provided by Itres Ltd. The hyperspectral system consists of three spectroradiometers (CASI 1500, SASI 600 and TASI 600) that cover the reflective spectral range from 380 to 2450 nm, as well as the thermal range from 8 to 11.5 μm. The airborne platform is prepared for mounting of full-waveform laser scanner Riegl-Q780 as well, however a laser scanner is not a permanent part of FLIS. In 2014 the installation of the hyperspectral scanners was completed and the first flights were carried out with all sensors. The new hyperspectral imaging system required adaptations in the data pre-processing chain. The established pre-processing chain (radiometric, atmospheric and geometric corrections), which was tailored mainly to the AISA Eagle instrument operated at CzechGlobe since 2004, has been now modified to fit the new system and users needs. Continuous development of the processing chain is now focused mainly on establishing pre-processing of thermal data including emissivity estimation and also on joint processing of hyperspectral and laser scanning data.
REDUCTION OF STRIPING NOISE IN OVERLAPPING LIDAR INTENSITY DATA BY RADIOMETRIC NORMALIZATION
Authors: Yan Wai Yeung , Shaker Ahmed
Published: June 2016

Abstract. To serve seamless mapping, airborne LiDAR data are usually collected with multiple parallel strips with one or two cross strip(s). Nevertheless, the overlapping regions of LiDAR data strips are usually found with unbalanced intensity values, resulting in the appearance of stripping noise. Despite that physical intensity correction methods are recently proposed, some of the system and environmental parameters are assumed as constant or not disclosed, leading to such an intensity discrepancy. This paper presents a new normalization technique to adjust the radiometric misalignment found in the overlapping LiDAR data strips. The normalization technique is built upon a second-order polynomial function fitted on the joint histogram plot, which is generated with a set of pairwise closest data points identified within the overlapping region. The method was tested on Teledyne Optech’s Gemini dataset (at 1064 nm wavelength), where the LiDAR intensity data were first radiometrically corrected based on the radar (range) equation. Five land cover features were selected to evaluate the coefficient of variation (cv) of the intensity values before and after implementing the proposed method. Reduction of cv was found by 19% to 59% in the Gemini dataset, where the striping noise was significantly reduced in the radiometrically corrected and normalized intensity data. The Gemini dataset was also used to conduct land cover classification, and the overall accuracy yielded a notable improvement of 9% to 18%. As a result, LiDAR intensity data should be pre-processed with radiometric correction and normalization prior to any data manipulation.