bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fishing Mortality and Habitat Loss Affect Largemouth Bass Fishery in the Potomac River (Maryland)
Authors: Love Joseph W. , Groves Mary , Williams Branson D.
Published: March 2017

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides is arguably the most popular sport fish of inland waters in the United States. The majority of anglers in the fishery practice catch and release. Catch-and-release guidelines aim to reduce negative impacts of angling on individual fish, though such impacts on populations are not widely reported. We hypothesized that a decline in the population size for Largemouth Bass from a catch-and-release fishery from the Potomac River resulted from a period of greater fishing mortality followed by habitat loss that reduced the recovery of the population. After we analyzed several years of fishery-dependent and independent data (1999–2015), it was determined that fishing mortality and relative exploitation were greater than average in the latter half of the 2000s than in previous years. Fishery-independent survey results suggested a loss of large fish and decline in population size. The relative abundance of juveniles subsequently declined possibly because the area of submerged aquatic vegetation used as nursery habitat had declined after tropical storms. For management purposes, we suggest that fishing mortality not exceed 28% for a sustainable fishery (assuming similar levels of natural mortality) in the Potomac River. Negative impacts to Largemouth Bass populations could be lessened by reduced harvest and widespread enforcement of catch-and-release guidelines, especially during times when angler effort is high, fish are highly accessible to anglers in the fishery, and habitat loss limits recruitment.
Growth of Endangered Humpback Chub in Relation to Temperature and Discharge in the Lower Colorado River
Authors: III W.E. Pine , Limburg K. , Gerig B. , Finch C. , Chagaris D. , Coggins L. , Speas D. , Hendrickson D.A.
Published: March 2017

Assessments of growth can provide information needed to understand how fish populations respond to changing environmental conditions and management actions, including ecosystem experimentation. We estimated growth rates and parameter uncertainty from otoliths of endangered Humpback Chub Gila cypha from the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona. We then compared growth of Humpback Chub < age 2 that were 1) occupying the mainstem Colorado River during a period of variable discharge and cooler water temperatures (1980–1998; epoch 1), 2) occupying the Colorado River during a period of moderate discharge variability and warmer water (2001–2011; epoch 2), and 3) occupying the unregulated Little Colorado River. Because growth rates of juvenile Humpback Chub (< age 2) may be more sensitive to changes in environmental conditions than adult fish, we used analysis of covariance and linear models to compare growth of juvenile fish (slopes) between epochs and capture sites (mainstem Colorado River vs. Little Colorado River). Our analysis of covariance results were ambiguous (age × epoch × site interaction; P = 0.06). However, individual linear regressions of size and age by epoch and site suggest biologically important differences in growth, as evidenced by slower growth in the Colorado River in epoch 1 than in epoch 2, and slower growth in the Colorado River compared with the Little Colorado River for all time periods. Overall our results 1) provide information on growth and growth variability useful for parameterizing models to assess population viability and 2) provide empirical information on how growth of juvenile and adult Humpback Chub growth may respond to changing environmental conditions.
Density of Lead and Nontoxic Shotshell Pellets in Gulf Coast Prairie Ricelands
Authors: Marty Joseph R. , Davis J. Brian , Brasher M.G. , Kaminski R.M. , Brinkman E.L.
Published: March 2017

Waterfowl ingest residual lead or nontoxic shotshell pellets while foraging for food in agricultural and other habitats. The Chenier Plain of Louisiana and Texas and the Texas Mid-Coast provide important habitats for wintering waterfowl, yet these regions are characterized by long traditions of waterfowl and other game-bird hunting, which potentially exposes waterfowl to historical lead pellets remaining in the environment. Recent evidence suggests that migrant and resident waterfowl within the Chenier Plain and Texas Mid-Coast regions continue to ingest lead pellets despite strict shotshell regulations. Thus, we randomly collected and radiographed soil cores (10-cm diameter and depth) from production and idled ricelands (n = 500 from each type) in the Chenier Plain (n = 760) and Texas Mid-Coast (n = 240) during November 2013 to estimate density of lead and nontoxic pellets in important waterfowl habitats of these regions. Across all regions and field types, we detected only one lead pellet and zero nontoxic pellets, despite 100% detection of known numbers of pellets in test samples. The single lead pellet was recovered from a production rice field in the Chenier Plain, yielding an estimated density of 1,019 lead pellets/ha (95% CI: 0–3,034) in this sampling region. Failure to detect lead pellets in other regions and nontoxic pellets across all regions precluded estimation but suggested pellet densities < 3,000 pellets/ha. We speculate that regular soil tillage of ricelands helps incorporate pellets into the soil, rendering all or most unavailable to our sampling and foraging by waterfowl. We recommend that future research estimate densities of lead pellets in areas where they may be concentrated (e.g., near permanent hunting blinds), where dove hunting is prevalent, and in other heavily hunted waterfowl habitats along the Gulf Coast (e.g., coastal marsh).
Parallel and Distributed Population based Feature Selection Framework for Health Monitoring
Authors: El Aboudi Naoual , Benhlima Laila
Published: March 2017

Smart health monitoring systems have become the subject of an extensive research during the past decades due to their role in improving the quality of health care services. With the increase of heterogeneous data produced by these systems, traditional data preprocessing methods are not able to extract relevant information. Indeed, feature selection is a key phase to preprocess data, it aims to select a relevant feature subset to reach better classification results with an affordable computational cost. In this study, we provide an overview of existing feature selection methods especially those used in the context of Bigdata, pointing out their advantages and drawbacks. Then, we propose a parallel population based feature selection framework for health monitoring.
Sustainable Development Dilemmas of Biofuels Research and Production
Authors: Ngubevana Lwazi
Published: March 2017

Global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions and the growing energy needs of the world, has forced the world into thinking differently about energy sources and sustainable development, giving rise to the field of biofuels. Research and introduction of new technologies do, by their very nature, look to bring about positive change in society. Often though, changes result in unintended, unexpected, unforeseen, unforeseeable and unaddressed consequences. It often becomes the role of ethics protocols to militate against these negative consequences. In trying to establish the levels of awareness among South African researchers and producers of biofuels, to the sustainable development dilemmas brought about by their work; the “Five Capitals Framework” and a research ethics protocol, research was carried out at three South African businesses, generating data from interviews and collaborating with data from company publications. The study concluded that industry was indeed aware of the dilemmas that face their industry albeit that it was not in the context of a defined necessary framework.
Design Analytics of Complex Communication Systems Involving Two Different Sensory Disabilities
Authors: Hossain Gahangir
Published: March 2017

The design of a robust communication among two different sensory disabilities (Deaf vs. Blind) remains an emerging field of research in disability healthcare communication system design. As an important part of modern technology, android and iPhone applications are frequently used in designing such communication systems. However, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' in case of different sensory disability health communication design. Hence, an in-depth understanding of their requirement, media preferences, similarity and difference and up-to-date technology usability are plausible towards universal and personalized communication system design. This research addresses such complex issues and performs a study involving two different types of disabilities (deaf and blind) communication. As a part of healthcare analytics, critical incidences are recorded and corresponding complexities are measured in order to evaluate communication protocol with social signal processing. Communication flow diagram, complexity analysis and critical incidence are quantified to improve communication protocols. Moreover, the uniqueness of disability can be personalized through this process which has valuable implications in rehabilitation and multi-purpose healthcare communication device development.
Assessing the Impact of Crowd Tasking Apps on Resuscitation Success
Authors: Wurster Simone , Klafft Michael , Fiedrich Frank , Bohn Andreas
Published: March 2017

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is among the three most prominent causes of death in industrialized nations. Therefore, experts are calling for solutions, including IT-systems to mobilize volunteers. SCA emergencies require immediate action and advanced first aid skills. As of today, emergency services are often unable to arrive at the victim in time, and laypeople on the scene frequently fail to conduct resuscitation properly. One approach to solve this problem is to rely on skilled volunteers, who are alerted by smartphone apps. Among others, German researchers are currently developing a crisis response system with a crowd tasking app. It aims to help reduce the effects of large-scale events, but also of ad-hoc incidents including SCA. This paper describes an approach to determine the potential of the system to increase the survival rate of SCA illustrated based upon data from Germany. Its concept was analyzed by experts and benefited from their feedback.
A Semi-Automated Content Moderation Workflow for Humanitarian Situation Assessments
Authors: Link Daniel , Ling Jie , Hoffjann Jannik , Hellingrath Bernd
Published: March 2017

Although online social media has been recognized as a source of information that is potentially relevant for humanitarian organizations, it remains to demonstrate positive impact. The authors argue that relevant information isn't yet incorporated effectively into decision-making because the key role of humanitarian situation assessment experts and their methodologies hasn't been sufficiently recognized and incorporated into information systems design. In particular, the authors focus on the content moderation process (i.e. on examining, correcting and enriching data and controlling its dissemination) and argue that existing systems, which often follow a human-is-the-loop approach, either lack automation support or flexibility. In contrast, they present an interactive, semi-automated content moderation workflow and an instantiating prototype that follows the human-is-the-loop approach and centers on assessment experts. The evaluation of the new system practitioner interviews and serious games suggests that it offers good compatibility with experts' work practices, moderation quality and flexibility.
Automated Verbalization of ORM Models in Malay and Mandarin
Authors: Lim Shin Huei , Halpin Terry
Published: March 2017

Fact-oriented modeling approaches such as Object-Role Modeling (ORM) include a rich graphical notation for capturing business constraints, allowing modelers to visualize fine details of their data models. These data models should be validated with domain experts who best understand the business requirements, even if unfamiliar with the graphical notation. Hence, the data models are best validated by verbalizing the models in a controlled natural language, and by populating the relevant fact types with examples. Comparatively little support exists for verbalizing fact-based models in non-English languages, especially Asian languages. This paper describes the authors' work on verbalizing ORM models in Bahasa Melayu (Malay) and Mandarin. The authors specify some typical transformation patterns, discuss features of these languages requiring special treatment (e.g. noun classifiers, repositioning of modal operators, and different uses for terms equivalent to “who” and “that” in English), and describe their current implementation efforts.
Bridging Services and Resources with Structural Services
Authors: Delgado José C.
Published: March 2017

The most used approaches for distributed application integration are based on the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Representational State Transfer (REST) architectural styles. Each is more adequate to a different class of applications and exhibits advantages and disadvantages. This paper not only shows that they are dual architectural styles, SOA oriented towards behavior (services) and REST towards state (structured resources), but also contends that it is possible to combine them to maximize the advantages and to minimize the disadvantages. A new architectural style, Structural Services, is proposed and described. Unlike REST, resources are not constrained to offer a fixed set of operations and, unlike SOA, services are allowed to have structure. To minimize resource coupling, this style uses structural interoperability based on the concepts of structural compliance and conformance, instead of schema sharing (as in SOA) or standardized and previously agreed upon media types (as in REST).
Bit Forwarding 3-Bits Technique for Efficient Modular Exponentiation
Authors: Vollala Satyanarayana , Begum B. Shameedha , Joshi Amit D. , Ramasubramanian N.
Published: March 2017

It is widely recognized that the public-key cryptosystems are playing tremendously an important role for providing the security services. In majority of the cryptosystems the crucial arithmetic operation is modular exponentiation. It is composed of a series of modular multiplications. Hence, the performance of any cryptosystem is strongly depends on the efficient implementation of these operations. This paper presents the Bit Forwarding 3-bits(BFW3) technique for efficient implementation of modular exponentiation. The modular multiplication involved in BFW3 is evaluated with the help of Montgomery method. These techniques improves the performance by reducing the frequency of modular multiplications. Results shows that the BFW3 technique is able to reduce the frequency of multiplications by 18.20% for 1024-bit exponent. This reduction resulted in increased throughput of 18.11% in comparison with MME42_C2 at the cost of 1.09% extra area. The power consumption reduced by 8.53% thereby saving the energy up to 10.10%.
Time-Aware Task Allocation for Cloud Computing Environment
Authors: Meher Sushanta , Pande Sohan Kumar , Panda Sanjaya Kumar
Published: March 2017

Cloud computing provides access to various services such as servers, storage and applications to the customers' as and when required. The services on the cloud can be accessed with minimum efforts through any handheld devices that are connected to the Internet. In IaaS cloud, the services to the customers are provided in the form of two leases, AR and BE. Here, a running BE lease can be preempted upon arrival of an AR lease as BE has lower priority. However, frequent preemption of the BE lease causes an overhead to the system and leads to customer dissatisfaction. In this paper, we propose a fairness algorithm called TATA to provide fairness among the leases. We evaluate the proposed algorithm on various synthetic datasets and compare the results with an existing fairness algorithm. The results of simulation show that TATA produces better response time for both the leases than the existing algorithm.
Green DRCT
Authors: Godboley Sangharatna , Dutta Arpita , Mohapatra Durga Prasad
Published: March 2017

Being a good software testing engineer, one should have the responsibility towards environment sustainability. By using green principles and regulations, we can perform Green Software Testing. In this paper, we present a new approach to enhance Branch Coverage and Modified Condition/Decision Coverage uses concolic testing. We have proposed a novel transformation technique to improve these code coverage metrics. We have named this new transformation method Double Refined Code Transformer (DRCT). Then, using JoulMeter, we compute the power consumption and energy consumption in this testing process. We have developed a tool named Green-DRCT to measure energy consumption while performing the testing process.
Improving Resiliency in SDN using Routing Tree Algorithms
Authors: Sahoo Kshira Sagar , Sahoo Bibhudatta , Dash Ratnakar , Mishra Brojo Kishore
Published: March 2017

The ability to recover the control logic after a failure is detected in specific time window is called resiliency. The Software Defined Network (SDN) is an emerged and powerful architecture which allow to separate the control plane from forwarding. This decoupling architecture brings new difficulties to the network resiliency because link failure between switch and controller could defunct the forwarding plane. It has been identified that the resiliency of the network can be improved by choosing the correct place for the controller and by choosing proper routing tree once the controller location is known. In this work, we have analysed the performance of various Routing Tree algorithms on different network topology generated by Bernoulli Random Graph model and found that Greedy Routing Tree (GRT) provides the maximum resiliency. The Closeness Centrality Theorem has proposed to find the best controller position and later analysed the performance of various single controller placement algorithms on GRT for finding the overall improvement of the resiliency of the network.
Efficient Fault Tolerant Algorithms for Internet Distributed Systems
Authors: Mishra Swati , Panda Sanjaya Kumar
Published: March 2017

In the current era, Internet is the fastest growing technology. It is a global network of distributed systems that interconnects with each other to share various resources and computation. The complexity of the distributed systems is rapidly increasing, which leads to an increased susceptibility of failure to the participating computers such as clients and servers and their interconnections. Therefore, the main challenge is to address such failures and develop efficient algorithms to tolerate such failures. In this paper, four fault tolerant algorithms, namely server-based fault tolerant (SFT), client-based fault tolerant (CFT), client-server fault tolerant (CSFT) and connection fault tolerant (CoFT) are proposed to deal with the above challenge. The proposed algorithms are evaluated in terms of number of failures (NOF), load factor (LF) and load standard deviation (LSD) and compared with an existing algorithm. The comparison results show the superior performance of the proposed algorithms.
Inherent Fusion
Authors: Budikova Petra , Batko Michal , Novak David , Zezula Pavel
Published: March 2017

The rapid growth of unstructured data, commonly denoted as the Big Data challenge, requires new technologies that are capable of dealing with complex data objects such as multimedia. In this work, the authors focus on the content-based retrieval approach, which is able to organize such data by exploiting the similarity of data content. In particular, they focus on solutions that are able to combine multiple similarity measures during the query evaluation. The authors introduce a classification of existing approaches and analyze their performance in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability. Further, they present a novel technique of inherent fusion that combines the efficiency of fast indexed retrieval with the effectiveness of ranking methods. The performance of all discussed methods is evaluated by extensive experiments with user participation.
Collaborative MOOC Content Design and Automatic Assessment Based on ODALA Approach
Authors: Hammid Nacera , Haddadi Lynda , Bouarab-Dahmani Farida
Published: March 2017

Since the fall of 2011, the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) phenomenon is still being qualified as the most attractive and discussed subject by educational communities and public. In the literature, there are many researches about this recent e-learning generation that vary as the goals vary from raising pedagogical issues to economics ones. Several case studies state that MOOCs are challenging the use of technologies to enhance learning; others think that MOOCs can induce to disruptive in education and educational institutions. In this paper, we propose an instructional design for a kind of MOOC platforms where mainly the use of disciplines specifications and automated evaluation of MOOC learners are possible to settle the source of these problems. Our proposition is based on ODALA (Ontology-Driven Auto-evaluation Learning Approach) principles and on the disciplines' knowledge capitalization using a meta-model represented as domain ontology for disciplines modeling inspired by this approach.
Academic Virtual Meetings Management with a Synthesis Builder
Authors: Bouarab-Dahmani Farida
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we propose asynchronous virtual meeting (AVM) as a tool that can be integrated to virtual campuses, university Web sites or e-learning platforms. It is a way for participants from academics and students to discuss for a defined period, one or more topics. The AVM participants have to give, respectively, objective and punctual interventions as opinions, responses chosen from a proposed list and/or suggestions. In real time, specific processes for data analysis give a progressive synthesis of the discussions visible for all participants. The proposed tool can avoid different problems and constraints that the higher education meetings organizers are faced to. We developed a prototype for the tool that was tested with a group of participants from our university. The results were interesting and showed contribution to enhance communication and decision making in higher education.
Introduction aux images numériques et aux techniques d'analyse numérique
Authors: Alföldi T
Published: March 2017

This document provides a self teaching mechanism for the student of digital multispectral image analysis. The detailed step-by-step instructions and the corresponding figures lead the reader through some of the basic analysis procedures used in the study of
satellite images for a variety of earth resources applications. No mathematical ability is required. Using only pencil (and eraser) the reader is led through steps which mimic the actions of a computer. Once this exercise is completed, the reader should have a functional knowledge of the basic
multispectral analysis methods and data presentation formats.
Technological Means to Assist Remote Sensing Training - A Canadian Perspective
Authors: Alföldi T
Published: March 2017

Advanced technological tools have their costs and benefits. They are being relied upon increasingly for their aptitude in getting complex and abstracts concepts across. They are particularly useful for attracting and educating the non-professional in remote
sensing topics. The Canadian experience in remote sensing training is evolving through use of a variety of (especially) computer-aided techniques. Using electronic bulletin boards for communication, CD-ROMs for bulk storage of imagery, hypertext documentsfor self directed training, the Canadian
remote sensing community is faced by an ever-growing sophistication in services and products. The challenge is for both the provider and user of these technologies to exploit them profitably and well.
On solar energy disposition, A perspective from observation and modeling
Authors: Li Z , Moreau L , Arking A
Published: March 2017

Solar energy disposition (SED) concerns the amount of solar radiation reflected to space, absorbed in the atmosphere and absorbed at the surface. The state of knowledge on SED is examined by comparing eight data sets in three categories: surface observation,
satellite estimation and GCM simulation. The discrepancies among these contemporary estimates of SED are so large that a wisdom on conventional SED is wanting. Thanks to satellite observations, the Earth's radiation budget (ERB) at the top of the atmosphere is reasonably well known. Many current
GCMs can manage to reproduce a reasonable global and annual mean ERB but often fail to simulate the variations in ERB associated with certain cloud regimes such as Tropical Convection and storm-tracks. In comparison to ERB, we still have rather poor knowledge on the surface radiation budget (SRB)
and the atmospheric radiation budget (ARB) owing to the inherent problems in both in-situ observations and remote sensing. The major shortcoming of in-situ observations lies in insufficient sampling, while the remote sensing techniques suffer from lack of information on some variables affecting the
radiative transfer process. With reference to surface observations, all satellite-based SRB products are more accurate in the mid-latitudes than in the tropics where aerosols from biomass burning may deteriorate the accuracy. GCM-simulated SRB and ARB are not only subject to large regional
uncertainties associated with clouds, but also to the systematic errors of the order of 25 Wm-2 due primarily to the neglect of aerosol and inaccurate computation of water vapor absorption. Analyses of various data sets suggest that a SED based on ERBE satellite data appears to be relatively more
reliable which suggests a 30% reflection to space, 25% absorption in the atmosphere and 45% absorption at the surface.
Automated GCP Detection for SAR Imagery
Authors: Iisaka J , Sakurai-Amano T
Published: March 2017

Road intersections are very good ground control points in a SAR image because they can be obtained from intersecting road segments even when the intersections themselves are not observed. In a previous study, a Hough Transform-based approach was developed for
detecting intersections from a single-look ERS-1 SAR image. A similar Hough Transform-based approach has been applied to detect road intersections in a 6-look ERS-1 SAR image. In the case of multi-look images, however, there are no pure road pixels because roads are thinner than the resolution size
and the pixels that include road information are greatly affected by surrounding objects. More spatial information and even approximate road map information are required to improve the capability to detect road intersections. It is found that broad intersections can be automatically determined from
a multi-look image and the accuracy of the location of road intersections may be estimated from the heights of sharp peaks in Hough space.
Monitoring the Coastal Zone with the RADARSAT Satellite
Authors: Vachon P W , Thomas S J , Cranton J , Bjerkelund C , Dobson F W , Olsen R B
Published: March 2017

Satellite remote sensing offers the potential to routinely provide information at useful temporal and spatial scales for monitoring the dynamic coastal zone. In the fall of 1995, Canada launched the RADARSAT satellite carrying a multiple mode synthetic aperture
radar (SAR). Coastal zone applications of RADARSAT SAR data and guidelines for beam mode selection are presented. Three applications are considered in greater detail: ship detection; oil spill detection; and wind vector retrieval. Examples and validation of these applications are given in the
context of the Ocean Monitoring Workstation (OMW), a system for extracting ocean information from RADARSAT SAR images.
Operational Use of RADARSAT SAR in the Coastal Zone: The Canadian Experience
Authors: Manore M J , Vachon P W , Bjerkelund C , Edel H , Ramsay B
Published: March 2017

Satellite remote sensing offers the potential to routinely provide information at useful temporal and spatial scales for monitoring the dynamic coastal zone. In the fall of 1995, Canada launched the RADARSAT satellite carrying multiple mode synthetic aperture
radar (SAR). Over the past two years, considerable experience has been gained in the operational use of RADARSAT SAR for coastal applications such as sea ice monitoring, vessel detection, and oil slick detection. This paper summarizes Canadian activities in these areas and reports on development
efforts in automated algorithms. Observations are made on the potential conflicts among users in coastal environments.
InSAR Results from the RADARSAT Antarctic Mapping Mission Data: Estimation of Glacier Motion Using a Simple Registration Procedure
Authors: Gray A L , Mattar K E , Vachon P W , Bindschadler R , Jezek K C , Forster R , Crawford J
P
Published: March 2017

An interferometric method is used to derive ice motion from RADARSAT data collected during the Antarctic Mapping Mission. Although one cannot solve for both topography and ice motion using one interferometric pair, it is possible to use a coarsely sampled digital
terrain model to estimate ice motion using an image registration method. Less accurate than the usual fringe counting method for estimation of radial displacement, the image registration method allows useful motion estimation in both range and azimuth. The method is described and some results shown
for a large area (~17,000 km2) including ice flow into the Filchner Ice Shelf.
Wetland Mapping and Monitoring with RADARSAT
Authors: Brisco B , Pultz T J
Published: March 2017

Wetlands are important components of ecosystems because of their role in the maintenance of environmental quality and bio-diversity. Increasingly, wetlands have been under stress due to drainage activities and subsequent habitat fragmentation. Their importance to
a healthy environment and the growing public awareness of their plight has generated the need for effective management approaches to wetland conservation, including the use of remote sensing data. This paper reviews the role of RADARSAT in mapping and monitoring wetlands, with examples of research
results and studies from North and South America used to support the discussion.
Spectral Band Selection from casi Data for Monitoring Mine Tailings Site Rehabilitation
Authors: Lévesque J , Szeredi T , Staenz K , Singhroy V
Published: March 2017

This paper investigates the effect of varying bandwidth and number of bands on spectral unmixing results of casi data acquired over a mine tailings site. Forthcoming high spatial resolution sensors with less
bands and larger bandwidths such as Quickbird, Ikonos1 and Orbview3 were simulated in order to determine whether same unmixing results can be achieved as with the 68-band casi data.
Exploitation of Network Technologies for GeoSpatial Data Research and Commerce
Authors: Alföldi T
Published: March 2017

There is a fortunate coincidence in the timing of the development of two independent phenomena: the wide acceptance and use of earth-observation and related geospatial technologies, and the vigorous growth of the network communications technology known as the
Internet. As with a variety of other human endeavours, -earth-observation in both its applied and research forms has quickly exploited the Internet for its speed, convenience and global pervasiveness. The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) has embraced Internet technologies in the 1990s in
order to deal more efficiently and effectively with its programs, administrative needs, clients and partners. This decision was taken not only from the technological pushafforded by the Internet, but by the economic realities of budget and human resources constraints. It was recognized that the
Internet allowed new initiatives related to communications, marketing, service and product delivery, etc., as well as replacement of some older, more labour-intensive mechanisms. This two-pronged benefit gives foundation to the otherwise esoteric maxim of doing more with
less.
The New and Improved Base Framework for National Atlas Data
Authors: Brooks R
Published: March 2017

Reliable framework data is essential for the practical use of geospatial data. It is one of the objectives of Geo-Connections (formerly CGDI) to provide reliable framework datasets for Canada. The National Atlas of Canada is addressing this need, by developing
integrated and reliable framework datasets based on the Vector Map Level 0 (VMAP0) product.
 The VMAP0 data product is a global 1: 1,000,000 digital dataset produced and maintained by the United States National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) The National Atlas in wanting
to choose an international global digital map base has adapted the VMAP0 for use as a base from which various map scales can be created and thematic layers added.
 The 1:1M data had to be processed and quality controlled in a number of ways to allow it to be used. Since the
National Atlas has to represent data at a national level, a variety of derived scales are being produced from the VMAP0 data. This was done using automatic model generalisation techniques, as developed by Dianne Richardson. To prepare the data for these techniques, however, existing topological
problems had to be corrected, and even more rigorous topology had to be defined.
 Now that these problems have been overcome, the VMAP0 data which we have processed is of the highest quality. In addition, we have begun fitting framework datasets such as Census Subdivisions
to a generalized VMAP0 base at the scale of 2 million, which should make the dataset even more useful. Throughout these processes, quality control has been applied to ensure the best possible result.
 This paper discusses both the techniques used to achieve these results,
and the quality control processes used to keep the project on track.
Creating a topographic base in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster
Authors: Thibault D , Siegel C , Chaput J , Dombrowski A , Palko S
Published: March 2017

After the Soviet Union dissolved, Ukraine became responsible for territories contaminated as a result of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion. Base maps on which soils, land use, land cover, and farm limits are identified and delineated became necessary to
support decision-making dealing with the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. Satellite imagery was used to produce such maps. IRS panchromatic and SPOT panchromatic and multispectral images were compared. Two geometric correction methods, polynomial modeling and orthorectification using a mean
elevation datum, were analysed. The thematic content of the three types of images was also evaluated. Results show that panchromatic images are suitable as a stand-alone product to create a geographic database and to provide basic land cover information and IRS images are recommended because of
their higher resolution.
Clustering Methods for Unsupervised Classification
Authors: Latifovic R , Cihlar J , Beaubien J
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we have examined characteristics of spectral clusters produced by several unsupervised classification algorithms. We have also designed a new cluster merging strategy for a previously developed unsupervised classification procedure. The clustering
methods were compared using a summer Landsat Thematic mapper image from central Canada which contained forest, cropland, wetland and other cover types. We have found that a strategy employing spectral similarity and cluster size to guide the cluster merging process yields clusters in which spectral
homogeneity and size are well balanced across the range of spectral clusters in which spectral homogeneity and size are well balanced across the range of spectral clusters found in the scene. The new clustering approach requires only three control parameters, thus facilitating consistent results
when applied in other areas. The results also suggest that the dual cluster size - spectral homogeneity approach produces more consistent and refined clustering results than purely statistically-based methods, although testing over a broader range of conditions is needed to ascertain this with
confidence.
Slope and Aspect Dependence of Radargrammetric DEM
Authors: Toutin Th
Published: March 2017

DEMs are essential for many geoscientific applications such as drainage and watershed, surface slope calculation, and ortho-image generation. Consequently, it is important to know the accuracy of the DEM as a function of the terrain topography and its derivative
topographic surfaces. This paper shows results of DEM generated from different RADARSAT stereo pairs (fine, standard, extended) using an automated image matching over a rolling topography study site. The DEMs are then evaluated with a precise topographic derived DEM as a function of the terrain
slopes and aspects. The DEM accuracy is correlated with the terrain slopes, but differently depending on the RADARSAT stereo geometry, and it is not correlated with the slope aspects.
Calibration and Use of CV-580 Polarimetric SAR Data
Authors: Hawkins R K , Touzi R , Livingstone C E
Published: March 2017

In 1996, the CCRS CV-580 remote sensing aircraft containing a C-band polarimetric SAR was transferred to Environment Canada which has continued to operate the facility. As part of the transfer agreement with Environment Canada, CCRS continues to use this facility
and regularly collects data for internal research purposes. With the potential of the ESA, and the Canadian RADARSAT II programs, providing multi-polarization and polarimetric data sets at C-band, renewed interest in using this facility has occurred. In this paper, we review the use of the facility
for research activities and the state of the processing and calibration of this instrument.
L'apport de la télédétection pour la prévention, le suivi et l'évaluation des désastres naturels : quelques exemples de produits réalisés par le Centre canadien de télédétection et ses partenaires
Authors: Forest C , Prévost C
Published: March 2017

In recent years, Canada has seen its share of natural disasters, including the flooding in the Saguenay and Manitoba, and the ice storm. These catastrophes received a great deal of media attention, and various remote sensing products helped display the extent of
damages. But can this technology help prevent natural disasters and can it be used for hazard assessment (before the event)? What information can it contribute as emergency response plans are implemented and information bulletins issued (during the event)? Can the technology be used to assess
damages and to help plan reconstruction efforts (after the event)? This document presents a draft classification for the characteristics of an event, before, during and after its occurrence; the classification is illustrated by products developed by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) and
its partners.
Investigation of Pastos Grandes (Bolivia) Volcanic Features with RADARSAT
Authors: Lizeca J L , Moon W M , Hutton C A , Wu L , Lee C W
Published: March 2017

The volcanic terrain in and around Villa Alota and Cerro Caquella is unique in several aspects: very dry desert like surface features with almost no vegetation, well preserved volcanic flows and tuff deposits, and extensive evaporite lakes between volcanoes. In
many aspects, it is an ideal place for investigating backscattering effects of various types of volcanic flows and eruptives. Several scenes of RADARSAT standard mode image data were acquired over the study area as a part of GlobeSAR 2 program. As the first step of detailed investigation, field work
was carried out and also digital elevation model (DEM) was generated using RADARSAT data. Preliminary investigation indicate that the DEM generated using RADARSAT was very useful for collapsed caldera and associated small active volcanoes. Detailed calculation of
?0 and scattering model study is in progress.
Applications of the 4-Scale Radiative-Transfer Model in the Remote Sensing of Boreal Forests
Authors: Leblanc S G , Chen J M
Published: March 2017

Remote sensing of forested regions depends greatly on the sun and view geometries under which images are taken. A forest canopy radiative-transfer model based on detailed tree architecture named 4-Scale[1] has been used in recent years to study the influence of
boreal forest properties such as leaf area index (LAI), crown size, branches architecture, tree grouping, etc, on the bidirectional reflectance of different canopies. This paper presents updated results using the latest version of the model that contains a new multiple-scattering scheme that depends
on the crown architecture as well as the spatial distribution of the trees. New simulations of ground-based PARABOLA and airborne POLDER reflectances in the red and near-infrared bands are shown, and the mechanisms controlling NDVI directionality will be discussed. The use of 4-Scale for directional
corrections of airborne CASI data will also be shown. These results have implications on inversion techniques based on the shadow and sunlit proportions for the retrieval of LAI.
Global Observation of Forest Cover: One Component of CEOS' Integrated Global Observing Strategy
Authors: Ahern F , Janetos A C , Langham E
Published: March 2017

CEOS, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, has recognized the need for a coordinated approach to providing global data sets. One important need is for coordinated global observation of forest cover to address global concerns, particularly about
biodiversity, land cover degradation, and greenhouse gas buildup in the earth's atmosphere.
 As a result, Global Observation of Forest Cover (GOFC) has become one of six prototype projects within the CEOS Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS). GOFC has established a
network of participating organizations which, at present, are making voluntary contributions to the effort of planning a response to the need.
 GOFC will propose means to produce specific products to address specific user requirements, assemble the networks of facilities to
produce these products, and begin to produce them on a pilot-project basis, with plans for ultimate transition to operational production. This paper discusses the requirements, the strategy to satisfy the requirements, technical and non-technical obstacles which must be overcome, and suggest ways in
which other organizations may become involved.
State-of-the-art of extraction of elevation data using satellite SAR data
Authors: Toutin Th , Gray A L
Published: March 2017

Relative or absolute elevation extraction from satellite radar data has been an active research topic for more than 20 years. Various investigations have been made on different methods depending on the predominant fashionand data availability, leading each time
to new developments to improve the capability and the applicability of each method. The paper presents an update of the state-of-the-art of elevation extraction from satellite SAR data. The performance and limitations of four different methods (clinometry, stereoscopy, interferometry and
polarimetry) are reviewed, as well as their applicability to different satellite SAR sensors. Their advantages and disadvantages and how they are addressed during the data processing are also analysed. Finally, concluding remarks look at the complementarity aspects of each method to make the best
use of the existing and future radar data for elevation extraction.
 Keywords:
DEM; satellite SAR; clinometry; shape-from-shading; stereoscopy; interferometry; polarimetry
SAR Image Sampling on DEM Generation
Authors: Toutin Th
Published: March 2017

DEM generated from RADARSAT fine mode stereo-images are evaluated as a function of the pixel sampling and also of the terrain relief. Too much undersampling reduces the image content, the geometric and DEM accuracy. Too much oversampling in the image generates a
worms effect, which decreases the DEM accuracy of about 15%, due to poorer image matching performances. An exact image sampling according to Nyquist law should be then preferred. The DEM accuracy is also linearly correlated with the terrain slopes, and dependent of the terrain aspects, with the
best results for the SAR foreslopes and the worse for the backslopes.
RADARSAT-1 Mosaic of Canada
Authors: Hutton C A , Forest C , Adair M , Parashar S
Published: March 2017

The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) have collaborated with contributions from RADARSAT International (RSI), to create an ortho-rectified RADARSAT-1 mosaic of Canada.
 Using CSA's RADARSAT
data archive, ScanSAR Narrow B descending mode data were selected. The majority of the data, south of 60 degrees was acquired during the growing seasons of 1998 and 1999. The remaining data were collected during the winters of 1998 and 1999.
 A digital national mosaic has
been produced at a 250m pixel spacing, in a Lambert Conformal Conic (LCC) projection. A hard-copy image map will be created from the digital product, and will be widely distributed. A second digital product with a pixel spacing of 100m will be produced in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid
system. The UTM version will be stored and available by individual UTM zones (16 zones in total).
Application Potential of Planned SAR Satellites - a Preview
Authors: van der Sanden J J , Budkewitsch P , Landry R , Manore M
J , McNairn H , Pultz T
J , Vachon P W
Published: March 2017

To date, space-borne SAR data have been widely available from single channel, that is, single frequency and single polarization, radar systems. In the near future, we expect SAR satellites with enhanced capabilities in terms of polarization, frequency, spatial
resolution, spatial coverage and temporal resolution. In this paper, we will introduce some of the satellites planned and deliberate upon the increase in applications potential resulting from the progress in SAR technology. The application fields discussed are agriculture, forestry, geology,
hydrology, oceans, and sea ice. Most applications are anticipated to benefit from the upcoming availability of cross-polarized C-band data. Likewise the introduction of fully polarimetric C-band satellites and multi-frequency satellites is expected to improve the overall application
potential.
Investigating Labrador Fens and Bogs using Multi-Temporal ERS-2 and RADARSAT Data
Authors: Sokol J , Pultz T J , Bulzgis V
Published: March 2017

Bog and fen wetland complexes comprise a large percentage of ground cover in central Labrador and contain some of the largest peatlands in North America. The region experiences long cold winters and short cool summers, resulting in a limited growth period. The
level of moisture saturation, chemistry, topography and climate influences the development of wetland systems. Consequently, slight changes in these environmental factors can significantly alter vegetation species and health. As persistent cloud cover often limits the utility of optical data in
Atlantic Canada, the value of using the all-weather capabilities of radar data is evident. Temporal sequences of Radarsat images (C-HH) were acquired in May, June and August 1999, during which four Radarsat scenes, with incidence angles spanning 20-49° (Standard 1, 4, 7 and Fine 1) were
acquired for each time period. Throughout the study period, 6 ERS-2 images (C-VV) were also acquired. This paper describes changes in radar backscatter as a function of incidence angle, vegetation structure and polarization.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Search and Rescue
Authors: Lukowski T I , Charbonneau F
Published: March 2017

Researchers at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing have explored the uses of remotely sensed imagery to assist Search and Rescue in Canada. Studies concentrated on the uses of SAR imagery for the detection and classification of crashed aircraft. This work has
supported the feasibility of using such imagery for these purposes, although current spaceborne systems are proving limited in their capabilities. With further development in technologies, improved coverage of the Canadian land-mass of future systems, and improvements in techniques, it will be
possible to assist in Search and Rescue for land targets. This is expected to bear fruit for RADARSAT-2 and other future satellite SAR systems.