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: Intra-conference Tour Day 2: Hamilton–Rotorua–Hamilton

authors: Lowe, David J.

abstract: We have a reasonably long day ahead of us, but it promises to be both interesting and relaxing. We will be examining a range of distal and proximal pyroclastic deposits including airfall and flow (ignimbrite) units derived from the Mangakino and Okataina Volcanic Centres, Taupo Volcanic Zone
(TVZ), tephric loess deposits, and buried paleosols on tephra beds- in other words, something for everyone attending our three-discipline conference. As well, we shall see a variety of volcanic landforms both on our journey from Hamilton and in the Rotorua region itself. We finish the day with a 'Caldera Dinner' overlooking Rotorua and Haroharo calderas, and Mt Tarawera, from the top of Ngongataha rhyolite dome.

text: Intra-conference Tour Day 2: Hamilton–Rotorua–Hamilton We have a reasonably long day ahead of us, but it promises to be both interesting and relaxing. We will be examining a range of distal and proximal pyroclastic deposits including airfall and flow (ignimbrite) units derived from the Mangakino and Okataina Volcanic Centres, Taupo Volcanic Zone
(TVZ), tephric loess deposits, and buried paleosols on tephra beds- in other words, something for everyone attending our three-discipline conference. As well, we shall see a variety of volcanic landforms both on our journey from Hamilton and in the Rotorua region itself. We finish the day with a 'Caldera Dinner' overlooking Rotorua and Haroharo calderas, and Mt Tarawera, from the top of Ngongataha rhyolite dome.

year: 1994

title: Getting Deep:  Experiences of New Zealand Bodyboarders

authors: Nemani, Mihi Joy

subjects: bodyboarding

abstract: Since the mid 1990s, a growing body of literature on lifestyle sports has produced fresh insights into the nuances, esoteric terminology and social dynamics in an array of lifestyle sport cultures. While surf culture has gained considerable attention from both sociologists and historians, the voices of bodyboarders have been minimal.  Reflecting perceptions held by many in mainstream society, the literature on surf culture tended to marginalize bodyboarding participants, deeming the activity fit for children or teenagers.  Therefore, this project addresses the gap in academic literature on surf culture by adopting a socio-cultural, qualitative approach to give voice to bodyboarders, by revealing some of the complexities within bodyboarding culture, and revealing power relations operating between surfers and bodyboarders in the surf. 

As a three-time world amateur champion female bodyboarder of both Maori and Samoan heritage, I was particularly interested to understand experiences of gender and ethnicity in relation to bodyboarding.  Therefore, I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight bodyboarders living in New Zealand.  To analyse data from the interviews, I employed Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts of habitus, field and capital to explore bodyboarding with the intent of presenting fresh perspectives relating to masculinity and femininity, and experiences of Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand European bodyboarders.  The participants revealed embodied characteristics of the bodyboarder as well as a variety of strategies used to negotiate space in the surf field.  The experiences of female participants resonated with current literature where opportunities to gain respect were limited based on their marginal position in the male-dominated lifestyle sport culture.  While some female participants successfully negotiated space within the surf field, male bodyboarders revealed other difficulties due to the hyper-masculinity of stand-up surfing culture, and the marginal position of bodyboarders.

In specifically examining the experiences of Maori and Pacific Island participants, I argue that a unique form of cultural capital exists in which respect, courtesy and fairness were given more value than demonstrations of physical capital.  Adopting a socio-cultural approach to analyse the operations of power in the surf field, and particularly how gender and ethnicity affect the experiences of New Zealand bodyboarders, this research project brings “new value to identities and experiences that are marginalized and stigmatized by the larger culture” (Denzin, 2002, p. 486).

text: Getting Deep:  Experiences of New Zealand Bodyboarders Since the mid 1990s, a growing body of literature on lifestyle sports has produced fresh insights into the nuances, esoteric terminology and social dynamics in an array of lifestyle sport cultures. While surf culture has gained considerable attention from both sociologists and historians, the voices of bodyboarders have been minimal.  Reflecting perceptions held by many in mainstream society, the literature on surf culture tended to marginalize bodyboarding participants, deeming the activity fit for children or teenagers.  Therefore, this project addresses the gap in academic literature on surf culture by adopting a socio-cultural, qualitative approach to give voice to bodyboarders, by revealing some of the complexities within bodyboarding culture, and revealing power relations operating between surfers and bodyboarders in the surf. 

As a three-time world amateur champion female bodyboarder of both Maori and Samoan heritage, I was particularly interested to understand experiences of gender and ethnicity in relation to bodyboarding.  Therefore, I conducted semi-structured interviews with eight bodyboarders living in New Zealand.  To analyse data from the interviews, I employed Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts of habitus, field and capital to explore bodyboarding with the intent of presenting fresh perspectives relating to masculinity and femininity, and experiences of Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand European bodyboarders.  The participants revealed embodied characteristics of the bodyboarder as well as a variety of strategies used to negotiate space in the surf field.  The experiences of female participants resonated with current literature where opportunities to gain respect were limited based on their marginal position in the male-dominated lifestyle sport culture.  While some female participants successfully negotiated space within the surf field, male bodyboarders revealed other difficulties due to the hyper-masculinity of stand-up surfing culture, and the marginal position of bodyboarders.

In specifically examining the experiences of Maori and Pacific Island participants, I argue that a unique form of cultural capital exists in which respect, courtesy and fairness were given more value than demonstrations of physical capital.  Adopting a socio-cultural approach to analyse the operations of power in the surf field, and particularly how gender and ethnicity affect the experiences of New Zealand bodyboarders, this research project brings “new value to identities and experiences that are marginalized and stigmatized by the larger culture” (Denzin, 2002, p. 486).

year: 2013