title: Introducing contrast and luminance normalisation to improve the quality of subtractive resolution merge technique

authors: Ashraf, Muhammad Salman

subjects: image fusion

abstract: Subtractive resolution merge (SRM) is a contemporary image fusion method that produces highly preserved spatial and spectral resolution. This method is limited to dual sensor platforms with specific band ratios between the high-resolution panchromatic image (HRPI) and the low-resolution multispectral image (LRMI). An additional problem with SRM is that some bands are over- or under-represented due to the normalisation function applied. This article provides two modifications that resolve these limitations. SRM builds a synthetic low-resolution panchromatic image (LRPISYN) from the weighted sum of the LRMI bands. This image is modified by using a spatially resampled HRPI instead. The second modification is the use of a contrast and luminance index for the normalising function. These two modifications are tested on QuickBird images (multispectral and panchromatic), as well as fusing SPOT-5 (Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre) multispectral image and an aerial photograph. The results show improved quantitative metrics and unsupervised classification compared with the standard SRM technique and other contemporary image fusion methods. Both of these modifications are grouped into a patent pending technique that is called contrast and luminance normalised fusion.

text: Introducing contrast and luminance normalisation to improve the quality of subtractive resolution merge technique Subtractive resolution merge (SRM) is a contemporary image fusion method that produces highly preserved spatial and spectral resolution. This method is limited to dual sensor platforms with specific band ratios between the high-resolution panchromatic image (HRPI) and the low-resolution multispectral image (LRMI). An additional problem with SRM is that some bands are over- or under-represented due to the normalisation function applied. This article provides two modifications that resolve these limitations. SRM builds a synthetic low-resolution panchromatic image (LRPISYN) from the weighted sum of the LRMI bands. This image is modified by using a spatially resampled HRPI instead. The second modification is the use of a contrast and luminance index for the normalising function. These two modifications are tested on QuickBird images (multispectral and panchromatic), as well as fusing SPOT-5 (Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre) multispectral image and an aerial photograph. The results show improved quantitative metrics and unsupervised classification compared with the standard SRM technique and other contemporary image fusion methods. Both of these modifications are grouped into a patent pending technique that is called contrast and luminance normalised fusion.

year: 2013

title: Do returns to schools go up during transition? The not so contrary case of Vietnam

authors: Doan, Tinh Thanh

subjects: economic transition

abstract: A key stylized fact about transition economies is that the returns to schooling rise as economic reform progresses. Existing research suggests that Vietnam is an exception to this pattern, with a decrease in males’ return from 1992 to 1998, and little increase in the return to females’ education (Liu, 2006). This exception may be because of the gradual economic reform applied in Vietnam, whilst in Eastern European countries the “Big Bang” transformation was conducted. Therefore to see whether Vietnam is still a counter example, we re-examine the trend in the rate of return to schooling in Vietnam over the 1998-2004 period, where the reforms have had a longer time to have an effect.

text: Do returns to schools go up during transition? The not so contrary case of Vietnam A key stylized fact about transition economies is that the returns to schooling rise as economic reform progresses. Existing research suggests that Vietnam is an exception to this pattern, with a decrease in males’ return from 1992 to 1998, and little increase in the return to females’ education (Liu, 2006). This exception may be because of the gradual economic reform applied in Vietnam, whilst in Eastern European countries the “Big Bang” transformation was conducted. Therefore to see whether Vietnam is still a counter example, we re-examine the trend in the rate of return to schooling in Vietnam over the 1998-2004 period, where the reforms have had a longer time to have an effect.

year: 2009-10

title: Restoring Indigneous Law and Justice Traditions

authors: Cook, Michelle Lynn

subjects: Indigenous peoples

abstract: Restoring indigenous people's law and their ability to practice their justice traditions is a fundamental aspect of non-discrimination, decolonization, self-governance, self-determination, and social justice. The critical application and interpretation of indigenous people's law has revolutionary potentiality to transform, confront, and heal multiple forms of oppression such as environmental destruction, patriarchy, and the prison/criminal justice system. The sovereign jurisgenerative (law making) power of indigenous peoples is a site of profound hope for the revitalization of indigenous law and justice traditions restores legal principles and values of sacredness, harmony, balance, and interconnectivity within human relationships and with the natural world. Revitalizing indigenous law is a way to re-construct the self and society while also finding and re-connecting to new/old ways of being human. This thesis focuses on both Navajo and Māori practices and visions of law and justice; the challenges and, successes they have faced and the hopes they have of living by their law. Indigenous peoples, their ways of being, their wisdom, laws, and philosophies, must be respected, protected, and preserved not only because they contribute to humanity's richness and cultural diversity but also because they are living examples of  a more just, dignified, and ecologically sustainable society, which can serve all humanity.

text: Restoring Indigneous Law and Justice Traditions Restoring indigenous people's law and their ability to practice their justice traditions is a fundamental aspect of non-discrimination, decolonization, self-governance, self-determination, and social justice. The critical application and interpretation of indigenous people's law has revolutionary potentiality to transform, confront, and heal multiple forms of oppression such as environmental destruction, patriarchy, and the prison/criminal justice system. The sovereign jurisgenerative (law making) power of indigenous peoples is a site of profound hope for the revitalization of indigenous law and justice traditions restores legal principles and values of sacredness, harmony, balance, and interconnectivity within human relationships and with the natural world. Revitalizing indigenous law is a way to re-construct the self and society while also finding and re-connecting to new/old ways of being human. This thesis focuses on both Navajo and Māori practices and visions of law and justice; the challenges and, successes they have faced and the hopes they have of living by their law. Indigenous peoples, their ways of being, their wisdom, laws, and philosophies, must be respected, protected, and preserved not only because they contribute to humanity's richness and cultural diversity but also because they are living examples of  a more just, dignified, and ecologically sustainable society, which can serve all humanity.

year: 2010