LAKE SHOREZONE FUNCTIONALITY INDEX (SFI) A tool for the definition of ecological quality as indicated by Directive 2000/60/CE

www.appa.provincia.tn.it/binary/pat_appa/pubblicazioni/IFP_Manual_english_ver2.1310115028.pd

LAKE SHOREZONE FUNCTIONALITY INDEX (SFI) A tool for the definition of ecological quality as indicated by Directive 2000/60/CE

www.appa.provincia.tn.it/binary/pat_appa/pubblicazioni/IFP_Manual_english_ver2.1310115028.pd

Ultrasound IMT measurement on a multi-ethnic and multi-institutional database: Our review and experience using four fully automated and one semi-automated methods

Automated and high performance carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement is gaining increasing importance in clinical practice to assess the cardiovascular risk of patients. In this paper, we compare four fully automated IMT measurement techniques (CALEX, CAMES, CARES and CAUDLES) and one semi-automated technique (FOAM). We present our experience using these algorithms, whose lumen-intima and media-adventitia border estimation use different methods that can be: (a) edge-based; (b) training-based; (c) feature-based; or (d) directional Edge-Flow based. Our database (DB) consisted of 665 images that represented a multi-ethnic group and was acquired using four OEM scanners. The performance evaluation protocol adopted error measures, reproducibility measures, and Figure of Merit (FoM). FOAM showed the best performance, with an IMT bias equal to 0.025 ± 0.225 mm, and a FoM equal to 96.6%. Among the four automated methods, CARES showed the best results with a bias of 0.032 ± 0.279 mm, and a FoM to 95.6%, which was statistically comparable to that of FOAM performance in terms of accuracy and reproducibility. This is the first time that completely automated and user-driven techniques have been compared on a multi-ethnic dataset, acquired using multiple original equipment manufacturer (OEM) machines with different gain settings, representing normal and pathologic case

From isovists to visibility graphs: a methodology for the analysis of architectural space

An isovist, or viewshed, is the area in a spatial environment directly visible from a location within the space. Here we show how a set of isovists can be used to generate a graph of mutual visibility between locations. We demonstrate that this graph can also be constructed without reference to isovists and that we are in fact invoking the more general concept of a visibility graph. Using the visibility graph, we can extend both isovist and current graph-based analyses of architectural space to form a new methodology for the investigation of configurational relationships. The measurement of local and global characteristics of the graph, for each vertex or for the system as a whole, is of interest from an architectural perspective, allowing us to describe a configuration with reference to accessibility and visibility, to compare from location to location within a system, and to compare systems with different geometries. Finally we show that visibility graph properties may be closely related to manifestations of spatial perception, such as way-finding, movement, and space use

Sensitivity analysis of automatic landslide mapping: numerical experiments towards the best solution

The automatic detection of landslides after major events is a crucial issue for public agencies to support disaster response. Pixel-based approaches (PBAs) are widely used in the literature for various applications. However, the accuracy of PBAs in the case of automatic landslide mapping (ALM) is affected by several issues. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of ALM using PBA through digital terrain models (DTMs). The analysis, carried out in a study area of Poland, consisted of the following steps: (1) testing the influence of selected DTM resolutions for ALM, (2) assessing the relevance of diverse landslide morphological indicators for ALM, and (3) assessing the sensitivity to landslide features for a selected size of moving window (kernel) calculations for ALM. Ultimately, we assessed the performance of three classification methods: maximum likelihood (ML), feed-forward neural network (FFNN), and support vector machine (SVM). This broad analysis, as combination of grid cell resolution, surface derivatives calculation, and performance classification methods, is the challenging aspect of the research. The results of almost 500 experimental tests provide valuable guidelines for experts performing ALM. The most important findings indicate that feature sensitivity in the case of kernel size increases with coarser DTM resolution; however, the peak of the optimal feature performance for the selected study area and landslide type was demonstrated for a resolution of 20 m. Another finding indicated that in combining a set of topographic variables, the optimal performance was acquired for a DTM resolution of 30 m and the support vector machine classification. Moreover, the best performance of the identification is represented for SVM classification

Automatic road network extraction in suburban areas from aerial images

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Extension of the fuzzy integral for general fuzzy set-valued information

The fuzzy integral (FI) is an extremely flexible aggregation operator. It is used in numerous applications, such as image processing, multicriteria decision making, skeletal age-at-death estimation, and multisource (e.g., feature, algorithm, sensor, and confidence) fusion. To date, a few works have appeared on the topic of generalizing Sugeno's original real-valued integrand and fuzzy measure (FM) for the case of higher order uncertain information (both integrand and measure). For the most part, these extensions are motivated by, and are consistent with, Zadeh's extension principle (EP). Namely, existing extensions focus on fuzzy number (FN), i.e., convex and normal fuzzy set- (FS) valued integrands. Herein, we put forth a new definition, called the generalized FI (gFI), and efficient algorithm for calculation for FS-valued integrands. In addition, we compare the gFI, numerically and theoretically, with our non-EP-based FI extension called the nondirect FI (NDFI). Examples are investigated in the areas of skeletal age-at-death estimation in forensic anthropology and multisource fusion. These applications help demonstrate the need and benefit of the proposed work. In particular, we show there is not one supreme technique. Instead, multiple extensions are of benefit in different contexts and applications

The national ecological network and a land morphology model. An application to Portugal

Doutoramento em Arquitetura Paisagista - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaOne of the most complex issues that modern society is facing is landscape transformation, its fragmentation and ecological simplification, resulting in loss of biodiversity and a decline in ecosystems’ quality. Recently, the concept and establishment of Ecological Networks (EN) have been seen as a solution towards nature conservation strategies targeting biodiversity and ecological connectivity, (re)focusing on the ecosystem approach and the “continuum naturale”. The research in this dissertation aims to clarify the potential of EN in the context of landscape planning and its importance and function within the Green Infrastructure (GI) concept, emerging from EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, as a fundamental strategically connected infrastructure of abiotic and biotic systems underlying the provision of multiple functions valuable to society. It also addresses the lack of mapping at the national level of ecological systems. The main research objectives are: 1) To develop a methodology to map the National Ecological Network (NEN) for mainland Portugal and 2) To develop a Land Morphology (LM) mapping method at the national level. LM classifies landforms according to their hydrological position in the watershed and represents a helpful evaluation tool for modelling natural systems. This thesis contributes to the understanding of: i) the NEN as a spatial network that defines areas of existing and potential ecological connectivity at various scales which provides the physical and biological conditions necessary to maintain or restore landscape’ ecological functions; ii) the importance of NEN as an ecologically based tool towards a more sustainable landscape planning, strengthening the notions of connectivity and multi-functionality of landscape; iii) the morphological approach to map Portuguese landforms as valuable tool to assist policy makers and planners in taking decisions based on a more thorough analysis of land value and its ecological functions; and iv) Mapping the wet system at national level may have an impact on clarifying concepts related to water resources and can be used as a preliminary delimitation of floodplains and potential flood risk areasN/