Assessing tropical cyclone impacts using object-based moderate spatial resolution image analysis: a case study in Bangladesh

The environmental and societal impacts of tropical cyclones could be reduced using a range of management initiatives. Remote sensing can be a cost effective, accurate, and potential tool for mapping the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones using high-to-moderate spatial resolution (5–30 m) satellite imagery to provide data on the following essential parameters – evacuation, relief, and management of natural resources. This study developed and evaluated an approach for assessing the impacts of tropical cyclones through object-based image analysis and moderate spatial resolution imagery. Pre- and post-cyclone maps of artificial and natural features are required for assessing the overall impacts in the landscape that could be acquired by mapping specific land cover types. We used the object-based approach to map land-cover types in pre- and post-cyclone Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) 5 image data and the post-classification comparison technique to identify changes in the particular features in the landscape. Cyclone Sidr (2007) was used to test the applicability of this approach in Sarankhola Upazila in Bangladesh. The object-based approach provided accurate results for classifying features from pre- and post-cyclone satellite images with an overall accuracy of 95.43% and 93.27%, respectively. Mapped changes identified the extent, type, and form of cyclone induced impacts. Our results indicate that 63.15% of the study area was significantly affected by cyclone Sidr. The majority of mapped damage was found in vegetation, cropped lands, settlements, and infrastructure. The damage results were verified through the high spatial resolution satellite imagery, reports and pictures that were taken after the cyclone. The methods developed may be used in future to assess the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones in Bangladesh and other similar environments for the purposes of tropical cyclone disaster management.     

Transfer between pose and illumination training in face recognition.

The relationship between pose and illumination learning in face recognition was examined in a yes–no recognition paradigm. The authors assessed whether pose training can transfer to a new illumination or vice versa. Results show that an extensive level of pose training through a face–name association task was able to generalize to a new illumination (Experiments 1 and 3), but an equal level of illumination training failed to generalize to a new pose (Experiment 2). The transfer of pose training was likely to depend on a relatively extensive level of training because the same faces with reduced level of exposure (Experiment 4) were unable to reproduce the transfer effect. The findings suggest that generalization of pose training may be extended to different types of image variation, whereas generalization of illumination training may be confined within the trained type of variation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determining the density matrix of a molecular beam using a longitudinal matter wave interferometer

Abstract

Two separated oscillatory fields, if tuned to different frequencies, can generate or interrogate longitudinal momentum coherences in a beam of two-state particles. We demonstrate that use of differentially detuned separated oscillatory fields is an efficient method to determine the longitudinal density matrix of a particle beam.     

Identification of actors drawn in Ukiyoe pictures

This paper presents the development of line image keywords for the identification of actors drawn in Japanese traditional painting pictures known as Ukiyoe pictures. The system is based on visual features of the face from the image database files and is organized as a set of classifiers whose outputs are integrated after a normalization step. Line profile from the picture has been extracted in this investigation and has been approximated by Bézier curves. A learning algorithm has been developed to obtain the control points at high accuracy. A new curve matching method has been developed based on the feature points, rather than the corresponding points. This method can automatically fit a set of data points with piecewise geometrically continuous third order Bézier curves. Last of all, a new approach for distance calculation, namely “apple-node distance” has been introduced here for similarity calculation in image retrieval systems. The computation of similarity between curves has been established on the basis of this “apple-node” distance. The effectiveness of our method has been confirmed through computer simulation. The method developed here can be expanded to one of three dimensional shape-analyzing tools.     

Deposition of biomimetic biocompatible oxides on metallic glass surface by electro-discharge coating process

Bulk metallic glass demonstrates superior mechanical properties and excellent bio-mechanical stability compared to routinely used biomaterials like titanium, cobalt-chromium, stainless steel, et cetera. However, the metallic glass surface do not easily adhere to the leaving tissues due to native bio-inert oxide layer, which have poor wear resistance and low hardness. In this current study an innovative method for surface coating of bulk metallic glass by mixing hydroxyapatite powder during electro-discharge machining has been employed. A biomimetic nano-porous bio-ceramic layer of oxides and carbides was deposited on metallic glass surface. The modified surface integrity and composition were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction characterization techniques. The characterization results confirmed the formation of a natural bone-like nano-porous surface topography on the metallic glass surface using a novel hydroxyapatite-mixed electro-discharge coating process. In addition, a favourable surface chemistry in the form of bioceramic carbides (zirconium carbide, titanium carbide) and zirconium oxide layers, was achieved.     

Environmental impact of alternative fuel mix in electricity generation in Malaysia

The Fuel Diversification Strategy was incorporated into the Malaysian National Energy Policy in order to achieve a more balanced consumption of fuel, namely gas, hydro, coal and petroleum. The objective of this paper is to evaluate changes in CO_2, SO₂ and NO_x emission due to changes in the fuel mix specified in the Fuel Diversification Strategy. Using the environmental extended Leontief's input–output framework it was found that the fuel mix as envisioned by the Fuel Diversification Strategy generates higher CO_2, SO₂ and NO_x emissions. As such, to ensure a sustainable energy policy, the proposed fuel mix must be accompanied by efficiency gain so that the negative impact on the environment could be mitigated.     

Incremental and accurate computation of machine learning models with smart data summarization

Journal of Intelligent Information Systems - Nowadays, data scientists prefer “easy” high-level languages like R and Python, which accomplish complex mathematical tasks with a few lines...     

The Rampal Power Plant,Ecological Disasters and Environmental Resistance in Bangladesh

This paper examines the conflict between state and society which surrounds the potential social and environmental impacts of the coal-based Rampal Power Plant in Bangladesh. The project, if implemented, would create a risk of serious social and environmental damage in Bangladesh and would potentially displace impoverished communities. Near Rampal, the world’s largest mangrove forest and a world heritage site – the Sundarbans – is at risk. Rampal brings the inherent contradictions of the vague ‘sustainable development’ slogan into sharp contrast. The ‘environmentalism of the poor’ is offered as an alternative source for solutions to environmental problems.     

Conductance oscillations in molecularly linked Au nanoparticle film-superconductor systems

Charge transport across a disordered normal-superconductor (DN-S) interface was studied using a macroscopic, molecularly linked Au nanoparticle film as the DN component. Low-temperature conductance versus voltage and magnetic field exhibit zero-bias and zero-field peaks, respectively. Importantly, the latter typically exhibit superimposed oscillations. Such oscillations are rarely seen in other DN-S systems and are remarkable given their robustness in these macroscopic films and interfaces. A number of observations indicate that conductance peaks and oscillations arise due to a 'reflectionless tunnelling' process. Scattering length scales extracted from the data using a reflectionless tunnelling picture are consistent with literature values. Factors resulting in the observation of oscillations in this system are discussed.     

Magnetoconductance oscillations at a nanoparticle film-superconductor interface: a means for probing flux penetration depth

Interfaces between disordered normal materials and superconductors (S) can exhibit 'reflectionless tunnelling' (RT)-a phenomenon that arises from repeated disorder-driven elastic scattering, multiple Andreev reflections, and electron/hole interference. RT has been used to explain zero-bias conductance peaks (ZBCPs) observed using doped semiconductors and evaporated granular metal films as the disordered normal materials. Recently, in addition to ZBCPs, magnetoconductance oscillations predicted by RT theory have been observed using a novel normal disordered material: self-assembled nanoparticle films. In the present study, we find that the period of these oscillations decreases as temperature (T) increases. This suggests that the magnetic flux associated with interfering pathways increases accordingly. We propose that the increasing flux can be attributed to magnetic field penetration into S as [Formula: see text]. This model agrees remarkably well with known T dependence of penetration depth predicted by Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory. Our study shows that this additional region of flux is significant and must be considered in experimental and theoretical studies of RT.