Environmental impact statement and transportation planning : how does the process work?

Thesis. 1975. M.C.P.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning.Bibliography: leaf 100.M.C.P

Two dimensional Fourier Transformation

　Image processing is discussed for RAW format in digital cameras. The points are (1) suppression of noises, (2) amplifier of colors, (3) projection of dynamic range. Base technique is Fourier transformation in finite period. The expression is known as for multi-dimensional forms. However, if it is applied simply for image photographed in fields, he/she would get less information than his/her expectation. The reason is to make inappropriate preprocessing for Fourier transformation. We propose preprocessing about (1~3) points; and as several typical cases, we show the effects.\n　Figures and graphs are drawn by using full color. The true images will be got from Web-pages

Environmental information extracted from satellite images:Aspects of Sea and Atmosphere

To extract environmental information from published satellite pictures, computer approaches are discussed. Satellite images are given as time-series multi-spectrum bands, and include many phenomena. To analyze a target event, others must be eliminated. The approaches are projection, compositing, intensity-ordering hold non-linear transformations, etc., which are defined by mathematical expressions. We apply them to see hue changes on the sea surfaces, and to detect reactions in the air between dust and moisture. Processing images get significant in relations with environmental knowledges and experiences

Before-after (1998 and 2008) trend analyses on regional clustering of clinical dentist-to-population ratio in all 1,976 municipalities of Japan

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to obtain geographic clustering information in order to identify shortages (“cold spots”) and surpluses (“hot spots”) of dentists in all municipalities of Japan. Methods: Pretreatment steps were conducted to recover the lost comparability between pre-1998 and post-2008 data due to the large-scale merging of municipalities (42.1% reduction) in the Heisei era. Moran’s I, LISA and spatial multiple regression analyses with AIC were performed to verify regional clustering. Dependent variables of the regression analyses were the clinical dentist-to-population ratio in 2008 (Model 1) and the difference between 1998 and 2008 (Model 2). Results: The R2 was 0.8379 (p<0.0001) for Model 1 and 0.5832 (p<0.0001) for Model 2. The initial dentist-to-population ratio in 1998 showed the highest significance in both models. However, the coefficient of Model 2 was negative, which was exactly the opposite of that of Model 1. Furthermore, indices relating to urbanization and hospital dentist-to-population ratio in 1998 were also highly significant (p<0.01) after adjustment for confounding factors. High- High clustered municipalities are located in most urbanized areas, whereas Low-Low clustered municipalities are located in remote areas far from urbanized areas. This study revealed that factors which attract dental clinics are urbanization and hospitals with dental care capabilities. Conclusion: Clinical dentist-topopulation ratios have improved only in municipalities in urbanized areas in the past ten years. On the contrary, accessibility of dental treatment has not improved in remote/isolated areas

Detection of invisible SPM distribution in the sky

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) is dusts in the atmosphere, which exists from ancient times. Nowadays, they have two origins that are natural and artificial. The diameter is distributed between 1 ~ 10 μm. Natural SPM is almost soil particles, and includes bacteria and virus on the surfaces. Artificial SPM is industry by-products; that is, complex matters over one hundred kinds of compounds. Even if SPM is under the gravity, the falling speed is negligible, and it moves as well as the gas. As property of small particles, it attracts many substances. If SPM moves through polluted air, it transports contamination matters towards leeward. The phenomenon is found beyond countries. An example is the yellow sand arising from Taklamakan desert flows until Greenland. SPM is a meteorological word. We hear it as “PM2.5” in various media. Very concentrated SPM makes the sky be cloudy. The phenomenon is not found yet in Japan. Existence of dilute SPM is detected as hazy sky, which degree is small. Therefore; we detect the haze by using digital cameras. We have observed the SPM at Norikura observatory from 2011 until 2016. This is a report of the digital measurements and discussions of the image processing. Where, conception of physical color, meaning of color-ratio, contouring image approach as extraction of character of targets, two dimensional Fourier Transformation are discussed.\n Figures are drawn by using full color. The true images will be got from Web-pages

Virtual endobronchial ultrasound for transbronchial needle aspiration

ObjectiveEndobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration could be performed better with computer-based preparation.MethodsThree-dimensional virtual bronchoscopy was used to develop 2 modes of computer-based “virtual endobronchial ultrasound.” “Virtual endobronchial ultrasound standard” used conventional virtual bronchoscopy to determine the spot and angle for transbronchial needle aspiration, which was further evaluated by virtual bronchoscopy. “Virtual endobronchial ultrasound advanced” used multiple layers of 3-dimensional images of the target lesions and associated vascular structures in combination with virtual bronchoscopy. Target lesions and associated vascular structures (eg, pulmonary artery) were visualized through half-transparent bronchial walls.ResultsBoth methods required 5 to 15 minutes of preparation per case. Virtual endobronchial ultrasound standard required only basic computer software for virtual bronchoscopy, whereas virtual endobronchial ultrasound advanced required an advanced computer application. Virtual endobronchial ultrasound advanced allowed for a more intuitive recognition of the target. Both methods were useful in evaluating the feasibility of transbronchial needle aspiration, especially when the target was out of regular mediastinal lymph nodes, or in targeting a lesion located at a high upper angle (eg, 4L lymph node). Because the puncture spot was predetermined, bronchoscopists did not have to search for the target using ultrasound at the time of actual endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration; rather, ultrasound was used only for confirmation of the target location and visualization of transbronchial needle aspiration.ConclusionsBoth computer-based preparation methods of virtual endobronchial ultrasound were useful in predetermining the puncture spot of transbronchial needle aspiration, suggesting their potential complementary role to the conventional technique of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration