Three-Dimensional Modelling of the Terra Nova Bay Sea Floor (Ross Sea - Antarctica)

The importance of gathering data on the Antarctic coastline and its adjacent waters has been widely recognised by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). In particular, both for navigational safety and environmental monitoring, it is very desirable to increase hydrographic activity in those areas which have the most significant importance from a scientific or navigational point of view - such as in the continental shelf and continental slope areas of the western part of the Ross Sea. Quite apart from the safety of navigation requirements, knowledge of the seabed topography is necessary to study and understand the various phenomena taking place in the marine environment. For example, the movement of water masses and their mixing processes depend on the shape of the seabed and adjacent coastline. The sea area surrounding Antarctica is one of the least explored parts of the world’s oceans and the available bathymetric data is only sufficient to allow a very general analysis to be made. With the probable growth of tourism and fishing around Antarctica and with the increasing need to understand the effects on the world’s climate of Antarctic water patterns, it is necessary to consider powerful new techniques - such as threedimensional modelling of the sea floors - in order to build up more quickly an effective and reliable bathymetric data base of Antarctic waters

Program on Earth Observation Data Management Systems (EODMS)

An assessment was made of the needs of a group of potential users of satellite remotely sensed data (state, regional, and local agencies) involved in natural resources management in five states, and alternative data management systems to satisfy these needs are outlined. Tasks described include: (1) a comprehensive data needs analysis of state and local users; (2) the design of remote sensing-derivable information products that serve priority state and local data needs; (3) a cost and performance analysis of alternative processing centers for producing these products; (4) an assessment of the impacts of policy, regulation and government structure on implementing large-scale use of remote sensing technology in this community of users; and (5) the elaboration of alternative institutional arrangements for operational Earth Observation Data Management Systems (EODMS). It is concluded that an operational EODMS will be of most use to state, regional, and local agencies if it provides a full range of information services -- from raw data acquisition to interpretation and dissemination of final information products

Finding potential sites for small-scale hydro power in Uganda : a step to assist the rural electrification by the use of GIS : a minor field study

Over 2 billion people, mostly in developing countries, have no access to modern fuels or electricity. The necessity of clean, efficient, reliable and affordable energy services is a crucial issue in developing countries, especially in the context of rural areas where the majority of the people lives. Renewable energy sources in shape of small-scale hydropower systems are a complement or alternative to grid extension. The purpose of this study was to develop a method in order to find potential sites for small-scale hydropower in our study area in southwestern Uganda, by using a Geographical Information System (GIS) and also to investigate the rural energy situation in the area. A GIS is a computerized information system for collecting and handling data in databases as well as a powerful tool for analysis and visualization of geographical data. The results indicate a generally positive attitude to electricity and all interviewees were in great need of its services. Almost all consider themselves to have some means to pay for the electricity even if it is more expensive than what the energy cost today. Our self-designed algorithm identified 250 potential sites for small-scale hydropower stations in the study area. A selection of 14 sites out of these was evaluated and resulted in only three sites fulfilling the defined requirements. All sites met the requirement regarding a certain slope, but the majority lacked a permanent flow of water. The outcome from the evaluation was a result of low quality of the watercourse input data. In conclusion, our method is swift and precise, presupposed reliable input data is available. Presupposed there is a need for electricity and good financing possibilities, small-scale hydropower is an appropriate alternative to assist rural electrification, which will lead to improved standard of living.Populärvetenskaplig sammanfattning: Mer än två miljarder människor, mestadels i utvecklingsländer, saknar tillgång till moderna energikällor eller elektricitet. Behovet av rena, effektiva, pålitliga och ekonomiskt överkomliga energitjänster är en viktig fråga i utvecklingsländer, särskilt för landsbygden, där merparten av befolkningen bor. Förnyelsebara energikällor i form av småskaliga vattenkraftverk är ett bra komplement eller alternativ till utbyggnad av befintligt elnät. Syftet med den här studien var att utveckla en metod för att hitta potentiella platser för småskaliga vattenkraftverk i vårt studieområde i sydvästra Uganda, genom användandet av ett Geografiskt Informationssystem (GIS), men också att studera landsbygdens energisituation i området. Ett GIS är ett datoriserat informationssystem för insamling och hantering av data i databaser, men också ett kraftfullt verktyg för analys och visualisering av geografisk data. Våra resultat visar en generellt positiv attityd till elektricitet och de intervjuade var i stort behov av dess tjänster. Nästan alla ansåg sig att i viss mån ha pengar till elektricitet, även om det skulle kosta dem mer än vad de betalar för sin energi idag. Vår egendesignade algoritm identifierade 250 potentiella platser för småskaliga vattenkraftverk i studieområdet. Ett urval av 14 av dessa utvärderades, vilket visade att bara tre platser uppfyllde uppsatta kriterier. Alla platser uppfyllde kravet på lutning, men merparten saknade ett permanent vattenflöde. Resultatet av utvärderingen berodde på låg kvalitet på inputdata innehållande vattendrag. Vår metod är sammanfattningsvis snabb och noggrann, förutsatt att pålitlig inputdata är tillgänglig. Förutsatt att det finns ett behov av elektricitet samt goda möjligheter till finansiering, så är småskaliga vattenkraftverk ett passande alternativ för att bistå distributionen av el till landsbygden, vilket kommer att leda till förbättrad levnadsstandard

Program on Earth Observation Data Management Systems (EODMS), appendixes

The needs of state, regional, and local agencies involved in natural resources management in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin are investigated to determine the design of satellite remotely sensed derivable information products. It is concluded that an operational Earth Observation Data Management System (EODMS) will be most beneficial if it provides a full range of services - from raw data acquisition to interpretation and dissemination of final information products. Included is a cost and performance analysis of alternative processing centers, and an assessment of the impacts of policy, regulation, and government structure on implementing large scale use of remote sensing technology in this community of users

Earth Resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 13

This bibliography lists 524 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1977 and March 1977. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis

Seismotectonic, structural, volcanologic, and geomorphic study of New Zealand; indigenous forest assessment in New Zealand; mapping, land use, and environmental studies in New Zealand, volume 2

The author has identified the following significant results. Ship detection via LANDSAT MSS data was demonstrated. In addition, information on ship size, orientation, and movement was obtained. Band 7 was used for the initial detection followed by confirmation on other MSS bands. Under low turbidity, as experienced in open seas, the detection of ships 100 m long was verified and detection of ships down to 30 m length theorized. High turbidity and sea state inhibit ship detection by decreasing S/N ratios. The radiance effect from snow of local slope angles and orientation was also studied. Higher radiance values and even overloading in three bands were recorded for the sun-facing slope. Local hot spots from solar reflection appear at several locations along transect D-C in Six Mile Creek Basin during September 1976

Uso y cobertura del suelo en las islas macaronésicas de Portugal y España: nuevos métodos para cuantificar y visualizar información de patrones espaciales

Tesis de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Geografía e Historia, Departamento de Geografía Humana, leída el 23/11/2016The aim of this research is to propose novel methods for quantifying and visualizing geographical information, in order to aid the spatial planning decision-making process when addressing land use and land cover patterns. In doing so, several modeling and geographic visualization methods are developed and demonstrated by using the Macaronesian islands of Portugal and Spain as study areas. Macaronesia is a biogeographical region consisting of several archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to three countries: Portugal, Spain, and Cape Verde. This research encompasses three archipelagos: the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. From these three archipelagos, the four most densely populated islands were further selected for the land use and land cover assessments: São Miguel, Madeira, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. A common feature of the Macaronesian islands is that, ever since European colonization in the fifteenth century, up until the mid-twentieth century, anthropogenic land change was predominately attributable to agricultural activities consuming forests and natural areas. In the mid-twentieth century, owing to profound social and economic changes, the tertiary sector started its rise in becoming the main economic sector. Because the secondary sector in this region has always been minor, this substantial shift to the tertiary sector would dictate a progressive abandonment of the primary sector. Hence, agricultural areas started to recede. As a result, the last decades of the twentieth century were marked by a significant shift in land use dynamics. Agricultural activities ceased to be the main driving force of land change and were replaced by a rampant increase of the artificial surfaces, mainly on the southern coastal areas, where tourism-related and real estate pressure constitute a major impact on the landscape. A direct consequence of this pressure was the drastic transformation across the islands’ leeward coastal landscapes...El objetivo principal de esta investigación es proponer nuevos métodos para cuantificar y visualizar información geográfica, con el fin de facilitar el proceso de toma de decisiones en relación a los patrones de uso y ocupación del suelo. De este modo, se desarrollan y aplican varios métodos de modelación y visualización geográfica, utilizando las islas macaronésicas de Portugal y España como áreas de estudio. La Macaronesia es una región biogeográfica que integra varios archipiélagos en el Océano Atlántico pertenecientes a tres países: Portugal, España y Cabo Verde. Esta investigación abarca tres archipiélagos: Azores, Madeira y Canarias. Para una evaluación detallada de uso y cobertura del suelo se seleccionaron las cuatro islas más densamente pobladas: San Miguel, Madeira, Tenerife y Gran Canaria. Una característica común a las islas macaronésicas es que, desde de la colonización en el siglo XV hasta mediados del siglo XX, el cambio antropogénico del suelo se debió principalmente a las actividades agrícolas, que ocuparon bosques y áreas naturales. A mediados del siglo XX, debido a profundos cambios sociales y económicos, el sector terciario empezó su ascenso para convertirse en el principal sector económico. Debido a que el sector secundario en esta región siempre ha tenido una importancia menor, este proceso de terciarización de la economía supuso un progresivo abandono del sector primario. Por lo tanto, las áreas agrícolas comenzaron a experimentar un claro retroceso. Como resultado de este proceso, las últimas décadas del siglo XX se caracterizaron por un cambio significativo en las dinámicas de uso y cobertura del suelo. Las actividades agrícolas dejaron de ser la principal fuerza impulsora en el cambio de lo suelo y fueron reemplazadas por el aumento desenfrenado de las superficies artificiales, principalmente en las zonas costeras del sur, donde el turismo y la especulación inmobiliaria ejercen una gran presión sobre el paisaje. Consecuencia directa de esta presión fueron las drásticas transformaciones de los paisajes costeros de las islas...Esta investigação tem como principal objectivo propor novos métodos para quantificar e visualizar informação geográfica, de modo a auxiliar o processo de tomada de decisão quando seja necessário analisar padrões de uso e ocupação do solo. Ao longo da investigação são apresentados vários métodos de modelação e visualização geográfica, usando como área de estudo as ilhas da Macaronésia pertencentes a Portugal e Espanha. A Macaronésia é uma região biogeográfica no Oceano Atlântico constituída por vários arquipélagos pertencentes a três países: Portugal, Espanha e Cabo Verde. Este trabalho de investigação abrange três arquipélagos: os Açores, a Madeira e as Ilhas Canárias. Para uma avaliação mais detalhada quanto ao uso e ocupação do solo, foram seleccionadas as quatro ilhas mais densamente povoadas: São Miguel, Madeira, Gran Canaria e Tenerife. Uma característica comum às ilhas da Macaronésia reside na particularidade de, desde a sua colonização no século XV, até meados do século XX, as alterações antropogénicas do solo terem estado predominantemente associadas às actividades agrícolas que consumiram extensas áreas de floresta e espaços naturais. Em meados do século XX, devido a profundas alterações sociais e económicas, o sector terciário iniciou a sua ascensão para se tornar o principal sector económico. Uma vez que, nesta região, o sector secundário foi sempre pouco significativo, a terciarização da actividade económica ditou um progressivo abandono do sector primário. Deste modo, as áreas agrícolas começaram a recuar. Como resultado deste processo, as últimas décadas do século XX foram marcadas por uma mudança significativa na dinâmica de uso e ocupação do solo nas ilhas desta região. As actividades agrícolas deixaram de ser a principal força motriz para as alterações no uso do solo, sendo substituídas pelo aumento galopante das superfícies artificiais, principalmente nas áreas costeiras do sul, onde as actividades relacionadas com o turismo e a especulação imobiliária causaram um grande impacto na paisagem, e contribuiram para a transformação drástica do litoral sotavento das ilhas...Depto. de GeografíaFac. de Geografía e HistoriaTRUEunpu

Third Earth Resources Technology Satellite Symposium. Volume 3: Discipline summary reports

Presentations at the conference covered the following disciplines: (1) agriculture, forestry, and range resources; (2) land use and mapping; (3) mineral resources, geological structure, and landform surveys; (4) water resources; (5) marine resources; (6) environment surveys; and (7) interpretation techniques

Modeling Second Order Impacts of Healthcare Innovation

Any single health service organization today is likely engaged in dozens of concurrent, often times unrelated change initiatives. Each of these change initiatives is likely supported by evidence that demonstrates the innovation’s intended, first order impact. However, very little attention has been paid to the unintended, second order impacts of innovation. In this dissertation we introduce a model to provide a framework for inquiring about this very type of non-immediate impact. Next, using three innovations currently being implemented in the healthcare industry—training primary care residents to perform in-office colonoscopies, Studer Group’s ‘Evidence Based Leadership,’ and implementation of electronic health records in a hospital-integrated pediatric network—we model the innovations’ second order impacts within the context of our second order impact conceptual model. Cost effectiveness analysis, multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA), and two-level fixed effects modeling are used to across the three interventions. Results from the primary care residency intervention support further investment in colorectal cancer screening training for primary care residents. Results from the Studer Group’s ‘Evidence Based Leadership’ intervention demonstrate mixed results across change interventions and across categories of tenure, suggesting receptivity towards change and organization tenure is highly dependent upon the nuances of a specific change intervention. Finally, results from the implementation of the electronic health record demonstrate improved charge capture. We conclude that this further probing of popular innovations in the industry is warranted for multiple reasons. For one, it is entirely possible that social scientists and economists are prematurely ‘moving on’ to other innovations as soon they have published results from an initial round of inquiry. However, as we will demonstrate in our model, it is conceivable that after the “lights have dimmed” on an innovation’s initial glow, the artifacts of the innovation could very well continue to disrupt structures and processes long after its implementation. If these latent disruptions adversely affect the organization, one could argue that any initial positive impacts were likely overstated. Conversely, if these latent disruptions go on to produce additional benefit to the organization one could argue that any initial positive results were actually understated