bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic position of Suncus fellowesgordoni with pigmy shrews from Madagascar and Southeast Asia inferred from cytochrome-b
Authors: Meegaskumbura Suyama , Meegaskumbura Madhava , Schneider Christopher J
Published: August 2012

A corrected PDF for this article was loaded on 07/08/2012. Please use this version.This study evaluates the taxonomic and phylogenetic position of S. fellowesgordoni with S. malayanus, S. etruscus and S. 'madagascariensis'. We reconfirm that S. fellowesgordoni is a distinct species, which constitutes the sister species to S. malayanus from Southeast Asia. The pairwise uncorrected genetic distance of 9.1–9.7% between the two species suggests a prolonged independent evolution of each and they may constitute relict species of formally widely distributed group of shrews from South Asia to Southeast Asia. Suncus etruscus from Sri Lanka and India fall as the sister taxon to S. 'madagascariensis', suggesting a recent introduction of S. etruscus from South Asia to Madagascar and their low genetic distance of 1.2–1.4%, confirm that the two populations constitute a single species. Suncus etruscus being a widely distributed species shows a substantial genetic divergence among populations. Individuals from Italy show a 7.3–7.5% genetic distance to those from South Asia and Madagascar, which can be explained by geographic distance. However, additional data from many other populations of S. etruscus is needed to evaluate the status of this species in extreme locations of its geographic range. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v41i1.4541 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 41 (1): 83-87, 2012
Congener specific distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-p-furans in ambient air particulates (less than PM10) in Delhi, India
Authors: Kumar Bhupander , Singh Satish Kumar , Lal Ram Bharoshey , Kumar Sanjay , Sharma Chandra Shekhar
Published: August 2012

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDFs) are unintentionally formed during inefficient combustions and as a by-product. Due to their resistance to degradation and their toxic effect on health, PCDD/Fs are listed by the Stockholm Convention as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Once released into the atmosphere, most of them are adsorbed to air particles and transported away from sources in atmosphere. India signed the Stockholm Convention India agreeing thereby to reduce and eliminate the use of POPs. The German agency for Technical Cooperation helped develop facilities for monitoring POPs at a national level in Delhi. This paper presents the data generated during a training assignment for Central Pollution Control Board officials at the German laboratory. Air borne particulate matter (<PM10) was collected from 6 different locations in Delhi, India and analyzed in a German laboratory for 17 congeners of PCDD/Fs. The concentrations of ΣPCDD/Fs ranged between 1720-9010 fg m-3 (mean 5559 fg m-3) and their toxic equivalency values ranged from 67 to 460 fg I-toxic equivalent quantities (TEQ) m-3, with an average of 239 fg I-TEQ m-3 which was lower than the ambient air standards. The dominant congeners were octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD), octachlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (OCDF), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorinated dibenzo- p-furans, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin. The contributions of individual homologs for ΣPCDDs/Fs I-TEQ was in the order of OCDD (31%)>HCDF (21%)>hexachlorodibenzofurans (13%)=OCDF (13%)> HCDF (12%) and other individual congeners contribute less than 5%. High chlorinated congeners contributed with more than 80% for ΣPCDD/Fs I-TEQ. Rough estimates of tolerable daily intake (TDI) shows low health risk of exposure to ΣPCDD/Fs with inhalation of 0.098 pg I-TEQ kg1day1 for adult and 0.152 pg TEQ kg-1day-1 for children, which is much lower than World Health Organization recommended TDI for dioxins.
The Chordate Proteome History Database
Authors: Levasseur Anthony , Paganini Julien , Dainat Jacques , Thompson Julie D. , Poch Olivier , Pontarotti Pierre , Gouret Philippe
Published: August 2012

The chordate proteome history database ( http://ioda.univ-provence.fr ) comprises some 20,000 evolutionary analyses of proteins from chordate species. Our main objective was to characterize and study the evolutionary histories of the chordate proteome, and in particular to detect genomic events and automatic functional searches. Firstly, phylogenetic analyses based on high quality multiple sequence alignments and a robust phylogenetic pipeline were performed for the whole protein and for each individual domain. Novel approaches were developed to identify orthologs/paralogs, and predict gene duplication/gain/loss events and the occurrence of new protein architectures (domain gains, losses and shuffling). These important genetic events were localized on the phylogenetic trees and on the genomic sequence. Secondly, the phylogenetic trees were enhanced by the creation of phylogroups, whereby groups of orthologous sequences created using OrthoMCL were corrected based on the phylogenetic trees; gene family size and gene gain/loss in a given lineage could be deduced from the phylogroups. For each ortholog group obtained from the phylogenetic or the phylogroup analysis, functional information and expression data can be retrieved. Database searches can be performed easily using biological objects: protein identifier, keyword or domain, but can also be based on events, eg, domain exchange events can be retrieved. To our knowledge, this is the first database that links group clustering, phylogeny and automatic functional searches along with the detection of important events occurring during genome evolution, such as the appearance of a new domain architecture.
Intralesional Meglumine Antimoniate for Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients with Contraindication to Systemic Therapy from Rio de Janeiro (2000 to 2006)
Authors: Vasconcellos Érica de Camargo Ferreira e , Pimentel Maria Inês Fernandes , Schubach Armando de Oliveira , de Oliveira Raquel de Vasconcellos Carvalhaes , Azeredo-Coutinho Rilza Beatriz , Silva Fátima da Conceição , Salgueiro Mariza de Matos , Moreira João Soares , Madeira Maria de Fátima , Baptista Cibele , Valete-Rosalino Cláudia Maria
Published: August 2012

We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of intralesional meglumine antimoniate (MA) in 24 not submitted to previous treatment patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and with contraindication to systemic therapy. Each treatment consisted of one to four intralesional applications of MA at 15-day intervals. Patients' age ranged from 3 to 90 years; fourteen were females. Intralesional treatment in the absence of any relevant toxicity was successful in 20 (83.3%) patients. Three patients required additional treatment with amphotericin B and one required systemic MA. None of the patients developed mucosal lesions when followed up to 60 months. Intralesional MA is an effective and less toxic alternative treatment of patients with CL and contraindication to systemic therapy.
Hantavirus Infection Prevalence in Wild Rodents and Human Anti-Hantavirus Serological Profiles from Different Geographic Areas of South Brazil
Authors: Raboni Sonia M. , Delfraro Adriana , de Borba Luana , Teixeira Bernardo R. , Stella Vanessa , de Araujo Marina R. , Carstensen Suzana , Rubio Giselia , Maron Angela , Lemos Elba R. S. , D'Andrea Paulo S. , Duarte dos Santos Claudia N.
Published: August 2012

Paraná state presents the fourth highest number of accumulated cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Brazil. To map the risk areas for hantavirus transmission we carried out a study based on rodent trapping and determined the anti-hantavirus seroprevalence in these animals and in the inhabitants of these localities. Overall seroprevalence in rodents and humans were 2.5% and 2.4%, respectively. Eighty-two percent of the seropositive rodents were genetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that hantaviruses from rodent samples cluster with Araucária (Juquitiba-like) or Jaborá hantavirus genotypes. The Jaborá strain was identified in Akodon serrensis and Akodon montensis, whereas the Araucária strain was detected in Oligoryzomys nigripes, Oxymycterus judex, A. montensis, and Akodon paranaensis, with the latter species being identified for the first time as a natural host. These findings expose the complex relationships between virus and reservoirs in Brazil, which could have an impact on hantavirus transmission dynamics in nature and human epidemiology.
Artemisinin-Resistant Malaria: Research Challenges, Opportunities, and Public Health Implications
Authors: Fairhurst Rick M. , Nayyar Gaurvika M. L. , Breman Joel G. , Hallett Rachel , Vennerstrom Jonathan L. , Duong Socheat , Ringwald Pascal , Wellems Thomas E. , Plowe Christopher V. , Dondorp Arjen M.
Published: August 2012

Artemisinin-based combination therapies are the most effective drugs to treat Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Reduced sensitivity to artemisinin monotherapy, coupled with the emergence of parasite resistance to all partner drugs, threaten to place millions of patients at risk of inadequate treatment of malaria. Recognizing the significance and immediacy of this possibility, the Fogarty International Center and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the U.S. National Institutes of Health convened a conference in November 2010 to bring together the diverse array of stakeholders responding to the growing threat of artemisinin resistance, including scientists from malarious countries in peril. This conference encouraged and enabled experts to share their recent unpublished data from studies that may improve our understanding of artemisinin resistance. Conference sessions addressed research priorities to forestall artemisinin resistance and fostered collaborations between field- and laboratory-based researchers and international programs, with the aim of translating new scientific evidence into public health solutions. Inspired by this conference, this review summarizes novel findings and perspectives on artemisinin resistance, approaches for translating research data into relevant public health information, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration to combat artemisinin resistance.
Outbreak of Human Trichinellosis in Northern California Caused by Trichinella murrelli
Authors: Hall Rebecca L. , Lindsay Ann , Hammond Chris , Montgomery Susan P. , Wilkins Patricia P. , da Silva Alexandre J. , McAuliffe Isabel , de Almeida Marcos , Bishop Henry , Mathison Blaine , Sun Benjamin , Largusa Ron , Jones Jeffrey L.
Published: August 2012

In October of 2008, an outbreak of trichinellosis occurred in northern California that sickened 30 of 38 attendees of an event at which meat from a black bear was served. Morphologic and molecular testing of muscle from the leftover portion of bear meat revealed that the bear was infected with Trichinella murrelli, a sylvatic species of Trichinella found in temperate North America. Clinical records revealed a high attack rate for this outbreak: 78% for persons consuming any bear meat and 100% for persons consuming raw or undercooked bear meat. To our knowledge, this report is the first published report of a human trichinellosis outbreak in the United States attributed to T. murrelli, and it is the second such outbreak reported worldwide.
Rapid Implementation of New TB Diagnostic Tests: Is It Too Soon for a Global Roll-Out of Xpert MTB/RIF?
Authors: Kirwan Daniela E. , Cárdenas María Kathia , Gilman Robert H.
Published: August 2012

In 2011 the World Health Organization approved Xpert MTB/RIF for tuberculosis diagnosis and recommended its rapid implementation. Xpert MTB/RIF is accurate: sensitivity is 72.5 –98.2% (smear-negative and -positive cases, respectively) and specificity 99.2%. Benefits include same-day diagnosis and simultaneous detection of rifampicin resistance. However, the test has some shortcomings and has not had time for thorough evaluation. Cost-effectiveness studies are difficult to perform and few have been completed. Existing data suggest cost-effectiveness in some, but not all, settings. The urgent need for better diagnostics is evident. Yet, serial implementation of new technologies causes ineffective spending and fragmentation of services. How new tests are incorporated into existing diagnostic algorithms affects both outcomes and costs. More detailed data on performance, effect on patient-important outcomes, and costs when used with adjunct tests are needed for each setting before implementation. While awaiting further clarification it seems prudent to slow its implementation among resource-constrained tuberculosis control programs.
Leptospira Infection Prevalence in Small Mammal Host Populations on Three Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Wong Mayee , Katz Alan R. , Li Dongmei , Wilcox Bruce A.
Published: August 2012

We describe the geographic distribution and variation in host-pathogen specificity for Leptospira-infected small mammals collected concurrently from three Hawaiian Islands over a period of 14 years: 1990–2003. Four serogroups (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Ballum, Sejroe, and Australis) were identified from the 15,171 animals tested. Serogroup prevalence differed across host species and islands (P < 0.0001 for each), but not across years. The host associations and biogeographic patterns of Leptospira in Hawaii indicate a pathogen community shaped by ecological factors.
Opioid withdrawal-induced hypomania: A case series
Authors: Khalili, MD Navid , Gudarzi, MD Shahrokh Sardarpour
Published: August 2012

The aim of this study was to report hypomanic symptoms after opioid withdrawal. In this case series, nine opioid-dependent patients with hypomanic profile on opioid withdrawal were selected from outpatients in a private psychiatric clinic. Opium dependency was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition). Substance history, clinical features, temperament, and family history were retrospectively probed. Patients displayed pure or mixed hypomanic symptoms on opioid withdrawal. In nearly all subjects, the symptoms continued until individuals started taking the opioid again. Features of hyperthymic temperament and family history of bipolarity were traced in most of the individuals.
Safety of EMBEDA® (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) extended-release capsules: Review of postmarketing adverse events during the first year
Authors: Badalamenti, PharmD Vincent C. , Buckley, PharmD Jill W. , Smith, PharmD Eric T.
Published: August 2012

Background: EMBEDA® (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) extended-release capsules, indicated for management of chronic, moderate-tosevere pain, contain pellets of morphine sulfate with a core of sequestered naltrexone, an opioid antagonist.Objective: To review postmarketing adverse event (AE) reports received during first year following approval.Methods: All postmarketing AEs reported to the manufacturer were reviewed.Results: During the reporting period, ~97,000 prescriptions for EMBEDA were dispensed. One hundred eighty-two case reports containing 429 events were reviewed; 33 (18 percent) were reported as serious and 149 (82 percent), as nonserious. Of 429 AEs reported, the most common were drug ineffective (7 percent), headache (6 percent), drug withdrawal syndrome (6 percent), and nausea (4 percent). Seven cases involved oral overdose; of these, two suicide attempts resulted in fatalities. Product tampering was confirmed in six cases; suspected in five. No cases of confirmed tampering resulted in fatality; none resulted in symptoms typically associated with opioid overdose. Three were associated with opioid withdrawal symptoms, suggesting that naltrexone released during tampering potentially blocked the opioid effects. Twenty-five cases involving reported withdrawal or symptoms of withdrawal were reviewed; most were associated with dose interruption, capsule manipulation, history of drug abuse, or intolerance to a new opioid regimen.Conclusions: Results suggest that the safety profile of EMBEDA is consistent with that of an extended-release morphine formulation. Reports of exposure to tampered product yielded either withdrawal reactions or events not typical of opioid abuse. The clinical effects of EMBEDA in the context of misuse and abuse require further clinical and epidemiological exploration.
A remifentanil/ketamine sedation in surgical cancer patients having severe Parkinson’s disease: Two case reports
Authors: Salazar, MD German , Motamed, MD Cyrus
Published: August 2012

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are related to a progressive loss of substancia nigra’s dopaminergic neurons in addition to persistent activation of N-methyl- D-aspartate receptors. In specific situations such as sedation for minor surgery, tremor and dyskinesia can be very disabling. We report the beneficial effect of the combination of remifentanil (target-controlled infusion mode) and ketamine (boluses IV) to control dyskinesia and tremor for two elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease. The patients were scheduled for elective oncological plastic surgery under sedation, for which dyskinesia and tremor needed to be quickly abolished to permit surgery. Both procedures were completed with this drug combination resulting with no major side effects.
Pain management with tapentadol: a better and safer alternative to oxycodone
Authors: Kapoor, MD Shailendra
Published: August 2012

no abstract
Long-term opioid therapy, aberrant behaviors, and substance misuse: Comparison of patients treated by resident and attending physicians in a general medical clinic
Authors: Colburn, MD Jessica L. , Jasinski, MD Donald R. , Rastegar, MD Darius A.
Published: August 2012

Objective: To compare rates of opioid prescribing, aberrant behaviors, and indicators of substance misuse in patients prescribed long-term opioids by resident physicians or attending physicians in a general internal medicine practice.Design: Medical records of 333 patients who were prescribed opioids for at least three consecutive months were reviewed. Aberrant behaviors over a 2-year period were documented, including reporting lost or stolen medications or receiving opioids from more than one provider. Indicators of substance misuse were also recorded, including positive urine drug testing for illicit substances, addiction treatment, overdose, and altering prescriptions.Results: An estimated 13.6 percent of the patients followed by residents had been prescribed opioids for three or more months; this was significantly higher than the rate for attendings (5.9 percent, p < 0.001). Patients followed by residents were more likely to have reported lost or stolen prescriptions or medication (25.7 percent vs 12.2 percent, p = 0.03) or to have received opioids from another provider (17.8 percent vs 7.6 percent, p = 0.008); they were also more likely to exhibit an indicator of substance misuse (24.8 percent vs 7.6 percent, p < 0.001). However, in multivariate analyses, aberrant behaviors and indicators of substance misuse were not significantly associated with having a resident physician.Conclusions: Resident physicians at our institution are following a disproportionate number of patients on long-term opioids, many of whom exhibit aberrant behaviors and indicators of substance misuse. This underscores a need for better resident training and supervision to provide effective and safe care for patients with chronic pain.
Interpretation of oxycodone concentrations in oral fluid
Authors: Moore, PhD Christine , Kelley-Baker, PhD Tara , Lacey, MPH John
Published: August 2012

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare oxycodone concentrations in saliva and whole blood with a view to propose therapeutic concentrations in oral fluid. Oral fluid is an easy specimen to collect with several advantages over urine, including ease of collection and difficulty of adulteration. As oral fluid is a reflection of free drug circulating in the blood, drug concentrations in saliva are more closely related to blood levels than urine concentrations. The number of testing laboratories offering the analysis of prescription pain medications in urine has increased significantly over the last few years, along with the overuse and abuse of pain killing drugs, specifically oxycodone. Hence, the utility of oral fluid analysis in this field was assessed.Design: Paired specimens of blood and oral fluid were retrospectively studied in an attempt to establish a range for oxycodone concentrations in oral fluid reflective of therapeutic intake. Twenty-three paired oral fluid—blood specimens were studied. Oral fluid samples had been collected with the Quantisal™ oral fluid device, stored cold and shipped overnight to the laboratory prior to testing. Blood specimens were collected simultaneously in gray top tubes.Results: From 23 pairs of samples, the median concentration in oral fluid was 524 µg/L and blood was 53 µg/L. The whole blood to plasma ratio for oxycodone was 1.3, so the median plasma concentration was 41 µg/L projecting a saliva to plasma ratio (S:P ratio) of 12. The comparison of oral fluid—blood concentrations allowed the projection of a S:P ratio for oxycodone and the development of a potential therapeutic range for oxycodone in oral fluid.Conclusion: Saliva drug concentrations in pain management are more closely related to blood levels than urine so can be more easily interpreted. These data provide a foundation for interpretative advances; however, further research surrounding other pain medications and controlled studies are necessary.
Cancer pain in the opioid-addicted patient: Can we treat it right?
Authors: Modesto-Lowe, MD, MPH Vania , Girard, BS, MHS, PA-C Lisa , Chaplin, MD Margaret
Published: August 2012

Although cancer elicits an array of physical and emotional symptoms, pain is often identified as the most distressing. Cancer pain may result from the primary tumor, metastasis, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or medical comorbidities. Although treatment with opioid analgesics is accepted as appropriate therapy for cancer-related pain, under treatment may persist among certain patients. Opioidaddicted individuals represent a challenging and heterogeneous population to treat. Addiction is linked to psychopathology and antisocial behaviors (eg, lying) which often complicate evaluation. Chronic exposure to opioids may lead to physiologic dependence and its correlates, tolerance and hyperalgesia. Given the variability and subjectivity of the cancer pain experience, there are no objective measures which capture the adequacy of pain control. Thus, when faced with complaints of uncontrolled pain, clinicians must consider a differential diagnosis of tolerance, disease progression, addiction, pseudoaddiction, chemical coping, or even criminal behavior. This article explores the cognitive, behavioral, and physiological correlates of opioid addiction that may impact cancer pain management. It also discusses risk reduction strategies for opioid misuse and research directions that may lead to improved clinical outcomes in these patients.
An improved cirrus detection algorithm MeCiDA2 for SEVIRI and its validation with MODIS
Authors: Ewald F. , Bugliaro L. , Mannstein H. , Mayer B.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The influence of cirrus clouds on the radiation budget of the Earth depends on their optical properties and their global coverage. The monitoring of cirrus coverage with instruments aboard geostationary satellites enables the investigation of cirrus clouds at the global scale as well as the identification of their diurnal variation. For instance, the Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI) aboard the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites provides data with high temporal resolution of 15 min and a spatial resolution of 3 km × 3 km at the sub-satellite point. In addition, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the sun-synchronous platforms Terra and Aqua delivers at least one observation per day with a high spatial resolutions ranging from 250 m × 250 m to 1 km × 1 km. Since the infrared channels of the SEVIRI instrument are suitable for an observation which is independent from day-light, Krebs et al. (2007) developed a cirrus detection algorithm for SEVIRI (called MeCiDA), based solely on its thermal channels. Since MeCiDA was optimised for the area of Europe only, we present an improved version of the algorithm which allows application to the full Meteosat disc. Required changes include the consideration of the viewing angle dependency and of the sensitivity of the 9.7 μm channel to the ozone column. To this end, a correction is implemented that minimises the influence of the variability of the stratospheric ozone. The validation of the proposed improvements is carried out by using MeCiDA applied to MODIS data to address viewing angle-dependent cirrus detection and by additionally comparing it to the Cloud Optical Properties MOD06 cirrus product. The new MeCiDA version detects less cirrus than the original one for latitudes larger than 40° but almost the same amount elsewhere. MeCiDA's version for MODIS is more sensitive than that for SEVIRI with cirrus occurrences higher by 10%, and the new MeCiDA provides almost the same cirrus coverage (±0.1) as given by the Cloud Phase Optical Properties from MODIS for latitudes smaller than 50°. Finally, the influence of sub-pixel clouds on the SEVIRI cirrus detection has been examined: more than 60% of the undetected SEVIRI cirrus pixels have a cirrus coverage smaller than 0.5.
Carbon dioxide balance of subarctic tundra from plot to regional scales
Authors: Marushchak M. E. , Kiepe I. , Biasi C. , Elsakov V. , Friborg T. , Johansson T. , Soegaard H. , Virtanen T. , Martikainen P. J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. We report here the carbon dioxide (CO2) budget of a 98.6-km2 subarctic tundra area in Northeast European Russia based on measurements at two different scales and two independent up-scaling approaches. Plot scale measurements (chambers on terrestrial surfaces, gas gradient method and bubble collectors on lakes) were carried out from July 2007 to October 2008. The landscape scale eddy covariance (EC) measurements covered the snow-free period 2008. The annual net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of different land cover types ranged from −251 to 84 g C m−2. Leaf area index (LAI) was an excellent predictor of the spatial variability in gross photosynthesis (GP), NEE and ecosystem respiration (ER). The plot scale CO2 fluxes were first scaled up to the EC source area and then to the whole study area using two data sets: a land cover classification and a LAI map, both based on field data and 2.4 m pixel-sized Quickbird satellite image. The good agreement of the CO2 balances for the EC footprint based on the different methods (−105 to −81 g C m−2 vs. −79 g C m−2; growing season 2008) justified the integration of the plot scale measurements over the larger area. The annual CO2 balance for the study region was −67 to −41 g C m−2. Due to the heterogeneity of tundra, the effect of climate change on CO2 uptake will vary strongly according to the land cover type and, moreover, likely changes in their relative coverage in future will have great impact on the regional CO2 balance.
APPLICATION OF FUSION WITH SAR AND OPTICAL IMAGES IN LAND USE CLASSIFICATION BASED ON SVM
Authors: Bao C. , Huang G. , Yang S.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. As the increment of remote sensing data with multi-space resolution, multi-spectral resolution and multi-source, data fusion technologies have been widely used in geological fields. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical camera are two most common sensors presently. The multi-spectral optical images express spectral features of ground objects, while SAR images express backscatter information. Accuracy of the image classification could be effectively improved fusing the two kinds of images. In this paper, Terra SAR-X images and ALOS multi-spectral images were fused for land use classification. After preprocess such as geometric rectification, radiometric rectification noise suppression and so on, the two kind images were fused, and then SVM model identification method was used for land use classification. Two different fusion methods were used, one is joining SAR image into multi-spectral images as one band, and the other is direct fusing the two kind images. The former one can raise the resolution and reserve the texture information, and the latter can reserve spectral feature information and improve capability of identifying different features. The experiment results showed that accuracy of classification using fused images is better than only using multi-spectral images. Accuracy of classification about roads, habitation and water bodies was significantly improved. Compared to traditional classification method, the method of this paper for fused images with SVM classifier could achieve better results in identifying complicated land use classes, especially for small pieces ground features.
ESTIMATION OF RADIOMETRIC CALIBRATION COEFFICIENTS OF EGYPTSAT-1 SENSOR
Authors: Nasr A. H. , El Leithy B. M. , Badr H. S. , Centeno J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Sensors usually must be calibrated as part of a measurement system. Calibration may include the procedure of correcting the transfer of the sensor, using the reference measurements, in such a way that a specific input-output relation can be guaranteed with a certain accuracy and under certain conditions. It is necessary to perform a calibration to relate the output signal precisely to the physical input signal (e.g., the output Digital Numbers (DNs) to the absolute units of at-sensor spectral radiance). Generic calibration data associated with Egyptsat-1 sensor are not provided by the manufacturer. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate Egyptsat-1 sensor specific calibration data and tabulates the necessary constants for its different multispectral bands. We focused our attention on the relative calibration between Egyptsat-1 and Spot-4 sensors for their great spectral similarity. The key idea is to use concurrent correlation of signals received at both sensors in the same day (i.e., sensors are observing the same phenomenon). Calibration formula constructed from Spot-4 sensor is used to derive the calibration coefficients for Egyptsat-1. A brief overview of the radiometric calibration coefficients retrieval procedures is presented. A reasonable estimate of the overall calibration coefficient is obtained. They have been used to calibrate reflectances of Egyptsat-1 sensor. Further updates to evaluate and improve the retrieved calibration data are being investigated.
ULTRACAM EAGLE, DETAILS AND INSIGHT
Authors: Gruber M. , Ponticelli M. , Ladstädter R. , Wiechert A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. UltraCam Eagle, the ultra large format digital aerial frame camera is the latest product out of a family of innovative mapping cameras by Microsoft/Vexcel. The sensor was introduced in 2011 and was well accepted by the community. The ultra large frame format of 20010 pixels cross track and 13080 pixels along the flight line offers a high productivity in the air. The sensor head consists of new CCD sensor arrays, new optical lens systems and new electronic components. In this contribution we present the camera design, technical parameters and the result from different flight missions.
A RIGOROUS AND FLEXIBLE CALIBRATION METHOD FOR DIGITAL AIRBORNE CAMERA SYSTEMS
Authors: Tang R.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. This paper presents a novel family of rigorous and flexible mathematical self-calibration additional parameters (APs) for airborne camera calibration. It is pointed out, that photogrammetric self-calibration can – to a very large extent – be considered as a function approximation problem in mathematics. Based on the mathematical approximation theory, we suggest that Fourier series (trigonometric polynomials) be the optimal mathematical basis functions for camera self-calibration. The whole family of so-called Fourier Self-calibration APs is developed, whose solid theoretical foundations are Laplace Equation and Fourier Theorem. The Fourier APs are mathematically rigorous, orthogonal, flexible, generic and efficient for calibrating the image distortion of frame-format airborne cameras. We show the theoretical and practical advantages of Fourier APs over the popular polynomial APs and physical APs. The good performance of Fourier APs is illustrated in the many practical tests on camera system calibration, including the DMC, DMCII, UltracamX, UltracamXp, DigiCAM cameras.
ORIENTATION STRATEGIES FOR AERIAL OBLIQUE IMAGES
Authors: Wiedemann A. , Moré J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Oblique aerial images become more and more distributed to fill the gap between vertical aerial images and mobile mapping systems. Different systems are on the market. For some applications, like texture mapping, precise orientation data are required. One point is the stable interior orientation, which can be achieved by stable camera systems, the other a precise exterior orientation. A sufficient exterior orientation can be achieved by a large effort in direct sensor orientation, whereas minor errors in the angles have a larger effect than in vertical imagery. The more appropriate approach is by determine the precise orientation parameters by photogrammetric methods using an adapted aerial triangulation. Due to the different points of view towards the object the traditional aerotriangulation matching tools fail, as they produce a bunch of blunders and require a lot of manual work to achieve a sufficient solution. In this paper some approaches are discussed and results are presented for the most promising approaches. We describe a single step approach with an aerotriangulation using all available images; a two step approach with an aerotriangulation only of the vertical images plus a mathematical transformation of the oblique images using the oblique cameras excentricity; and finally the extended functional model for a bundle block adjustment considering the mechanical connection between vertical and oblique images. Beside accuracy also other aspects like efficiency and required manual work have to be considered.
TEMPORAL CORRELATION OF METADATA ERRORS FOR COMMERCIAL SATELLITE IMAGES: REPRESENTATION AND EFFECTS ON STEREO EXTRACTION ACCURACY
Authors: Dolloff J. T. , Theiss H. J.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Extraction of ground points using a basic stereo pair of commercial satellite electro-optical images typically yields vertical errors much smaller than expected. In particular, the magnitude of vertical errors relative to horizontal errors is significantly smaller than expected based on imaging geometry (convergence angle, etc.) alone. This paper suggests that temporal correlation or similarity of metadata (sensor position, attitude) errors between two same-pass images is the major cause of this phenomenon. It discusses the sources of temporal correlation, how it can be represented, and how an optimal ground point extraction algorithm detailed in the paper uses this representation in order to provide the best possible 3D location and corresponding 3 x 3 error covariance for reliable predicted solution accuracy. This paper also provides an estimate for temporal correlation, approximately 0.70 (70%), and explains how this value was derived based on the ratio of measured 0.9 p vertical errors to measured 0.9 p horizontal errors compiled over many stereo pairs and ground truth points as described in various papers in the literature. As demonstrated in this paper, based on simulation and error propagation for typical stereo geometry, if this correlation is not accounted for, predicted 0.9 p vertical error is approximately 60% too large. Knowledge of temporal correlation is essential for reliable stereo accuracy prediction as well as proper modeling of a priori metadata uncertainty in the support of metadata adjustment in a value-added process, such as registration to sparse control or a block adjustment.
THE GEOMETRIC CORRECTION MODEL BASED ON AREAL FEATURES FOR MULTISOURCE IMAGES RECTIFICATION
Authors: Long T. , Jiao W.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The geometric correction model describes the relationship between the features in image and object space. The majority models rely heavily on point-based features to do the rectification. Although it is simple, intuitional and accurate, there are some problems in establishing the accurate model based on point features. In many cases, it is difficult to acquire accurate ground control points in the areas where cross points and corners are not available. On the other hand, image registration based on feature points is greatly confined to the image acquisition time, resolution and spectrum. Due to the above limitations, linear and areal features are used as control features in order to cope with the misidentification problem of points and to register image accurately. This paper proposes a novel geometric correction model based on areal features, which is not confined to a specific imaging geometric model, and can be used for multisource image rectification. The definitions and algorithms of the distance between the areal features and how to establish the error equations using ground control areas (GCAs) are proposed, and geometric correction based on GCAs is achieved. Landsat and ALOS images are used as examples for the test. The experimental results show that the proposed method can be used for different satellite images and imaging models. The correction accuracy when using GCAs is better than one pixel, when the control data does not contain gross errors. The area-based geometric correction model is more fault-tolerant than the point-based model when the control data contains gross errors.
THE FUTURE SPACEBORNE HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGER ENMAP: ITS IN-FLIGHT RADIOMETRIC AND GEOMETRIC CALIBRATION CONCEPT
Authors: Schneider M. , Müller R. , Krawzcyk H. , Bachmann M. , Storch T. , Mogulsky V. , Hofer S.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. The German Aerospace Center DLR – namely the Earth Observation Center EOC and the German Space Operations Center GSOC – is responsible for the establishment of the ground segment of the future German hyperspectral satellite mission EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program). The Earth Observation Center has long lasting experiences with air- and spaceborne acquisition, processing, and analysis of hyperspectral image data. In the first part of this paper, an overview of the radiometric in-flight calibration concept including dark value measurements, deep space measurements, internal lamps measurements and sun measurements is presented. Complemented by pre-launch calibration and characterization these analyses will deliver a detailed and quantitative assessment of possible changes of spectral and radiometric characteristics of the hyperspectral instrument, e.g. due to degradation of single elements. A geometric accuracy of 100 m, which will be improved to 30 m with respect to a used reference image, if it exists, will be achieved by ground processing. Therfore, and for the required co-registration accuracy between SWIR and VNIR channels, additional to the radiometric calibration, also a geometric calibration is necessary. In the second part of this paper, the concept of the geometric calibration is presented in detail. The geometric processing of EnMAP scenes will be based on laboratory calibration results. During repeated passes over selected calibration areas images will be acquired. The update of geometric camera model parameters will be done by an adjustment using ground control points, which will be extracted by automatic image matching. In the adjustment, the improvements of the attitude angles (boresight angles), the improvements of the interior orientation (view vector) and the improvements of the position data are estimated. In this paper, the improvement of the boresight angles is presented in detail as an example. The other values and combinations follow the same rules. The geometric calibration will mainly be executed during the commissioning phase, later in the mission it is only executed if required, i.e. if the geometric accuracy of the produced images is close to or exceeds the requirements of 100 m or 30 m respectively, whereas the radiometric calibration will be executed periodically during the mission with a higher frequency during commissioning phase.
SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR INTERFEROMETRY FOR DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL OF KUWAIT DESERT – ANALYSIS OF ERRORS
Authors: Al Jassar H. K. , Rao K. S.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Using different combinations of 29 Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) images, 43 Digital Elevations Models (DEM) were generated adopting SAR Interferometry (InSAR) technique. Due to sand movement in desert terrain, there is a poor phase correlation between different SAR images. Therefore, suitable methodology for generating DEMs of Kuwait desert terrain using InSAR technique were worked out. Time series analysis was adopted to derive the best DEM out of 43 DEMs. The problems related to phase de-correlation over desert terrain are discussed. Various errors associated with the DEM generation are discussed which include atmospheric effects, penetration into soil medium, sand movement. The DEM of Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) is used as a reference. The noise levels of DEM of SRTM are presented.
COMPARISON OF PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION AND GENETIC ALGORITHM IN RATIONAL FUNCTION MODEL OPTIMIZATION
Authors: Yavari S. , Zoej M. J. V. , Mokhtarzade M. , Mohammadzadeh A.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Rational Function Models (RFM) are one of the most considerable approaches for spatial information extraction from satellite images especially where there is no access to the sensor parameters. As there is no physical meaning for the terms of RFM, in the conventional solution all the terms are involved in the computational process which causes over-parameterization errors. Thus in this paper, advanced optimization algorithms such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are investigated to determine the optimal terms of RFM. As the optimization would reduce the number of required RFM terms, the possibility of using fewer numbers of Ground Control Points (GCPs) in the solution comparing to the conventional method is inspected. The results proved that both GA and PSO are able to determine the optimal terms of RFM to achieve rather the same accuracy. However, PSO shows to be more effective from computational time part of view. The other important achievement is that the algorithms are able to solve the RFM using less GCPs with higher accuracy in comparison to conventional RFM.
PRELIMINARY ESTIMATION ON POINTING ACCURACY OF JAPANESE QUASI-ZENITH SATELLITE-1 (MICHIBIKI) L1-SAIF
Authors: Tokunaga M. , Nagaoka Y. , Shoda T.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite-1 (QZS1) named MICHIBIKI was launched in September, 2010. This paper shows a preliminary estimation of positioning accuracy of the QZS1. The mission of QZS1 is to raise the positioning accuracy of GPS. The QZS1 has 3 positioning signals named LEX, L1-SAIF and L1-CA. LEX and L1-SAIF are auxiliary signals based RTK and differential measurement using revised information derived from the electronic reference points managed by the Geographic Survey Institute of Japan respectively. QZS1 L1-SAIF signal is expected the accuracy less than 1 m. In order to estimate the positioning accuracy of QZS1 L1-SAIF, the positioning accuracy of QZS1 were compared with the accuracy of GPS single measurement. As the results, for an example, GPS accuracy is 3.17 m in latitude and 3.90 m in longitude, and L1-SAIF accuracy is 1.68 m and 1.80 m respectively. This result indicates L1-SAIF provides high accuracy than GPS. But others result showed, GPS accuracy is 1.57 m in latitude and 1.26 m in longitude and L1-SAIF accuracy is 4.03 m and 0.92 m respectively. Conclusions are; (1) L1-SAIF signal were obtain submeter accuracy. (2) Almost L1-SAIF signal were obtained high accuracy better than GPS. (3) In worst case, L1-SAIF signal were obtained worse accuracy than GPS. The reason is assumed the influence of the East Japan tremendous earthquake. As the electronic reference points were moved by the earthquake, the reinforcement value derived from the electronic reference points might be incorrect.
AUTOMATIC TEXTURE MAPPING WITH AN OMNIDIRECTIONAL CAMERA MOUNTED ON A VEHICLE TOWARDS LARGE SCALE 3D CITY MODELS
Authors: Deng F. , Li D. , Yan L. , Fan H.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Today high resolution panoramic images with competitive quality have been widely used for rendering in some commercial systems. However the potential applications such as mapping, augmented reality and modelling which need accurate orientation information are still poorly studied. Urban models can be quickly obtained from aerial images or LIDAR, however with limited quality or efficiency due to low resolution textures and manual texture mapping work flow. We combine an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) with the traditional Structure from Motion (SFM) method without any prior information based on a general camera model which can handle various kinds of omnidirectional and other kind of single perspective image sequences even with unconnected or weakly connected frames. The orientation results is then applied to mapping the textures from panoramas to the existing building models obtained from aerial photogrammetry. It turns out to largely improve the quality of the models and the efficiency of the modelling procedure.
DEVELOPMENT OF FOUR VISION CAMERA SYSTEM FOR A MICRO-UAV
Authors: Grenzdörffer G. , Niemeyer F. , Schmidt F.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Due to regulations micro-UAV's with a maximum take-off weight of <5kg are commonly bound to applications within the line of sight. An extension of the ground coverage is possible by using a set of oblique cameras. The development of such a multi camera system with a total weight of 1 kg under photogrammetric aspects is quite challenging. The introduced four vision camera system consists of four industrial grade oblique 1.3 mega pixel cameras (four vision) with 9 mm lenses and one nadir looking camera with a 6 mm lens. Despite common consumer grade cameras triggering and image data is stored externally on a small PC with a hard disk of 64 GB and a weight of only 250 g. The key question to be answered in this paper is, how good in a photogrammetric and radiometric sense are the small cameras and do they need an individual calibration treatment or is a single set of calibration parameters sufficient for all cameras?
RELATIVE ORIENTATION IN LOW ALTITUDE PHOTOGRAMMETRY SURVEY
Authors: Wang J. , Lin Z. , Ren C.
Published: August 2012

Abstract. Relative orientation is always considered as a key technique, not only in traditional photogrammetry, but also in low altitude photogrammetry. Low altitude images are mainly obtained by general digital cameras on UAV, they have characteristics of small format, large tilt angle and high-overlap in sequence. These distinctions from traditional images urgently call for a new reliable way to recover the relative pose between two adjacent images. For example, better initial values of relative orientation elements are required in the iteration process due to the large roll angle and yaw angle. Also, a more stable and efficient adjustment method should be proposed for the high-overlap images. In this paper, the Direct (D) relative orientation method is firstly used to get coarse values of the relative orientation parameters, then the Conventional (C) relative orientation process is implemented, using the coarse values as initial values in the first iterative calculation. And RANSAC (R) algorithm is finally applied in locating and extracting gross errors in relative orientation. The three steps above form our execution—DCR—to solve relative orientation problem in low altitude photogrammetry. Practical images have been used later to test the DCR method on accuracy and precision of the relative orientation parameters. Our experimental results show that the proposed approach is feasible and can achieve more reliable relative orientation results than the conventional approach.