Automatic interpretation of MSS-LANDSAT data applied to coal refuse site studies in southern Santa Catarina State, Brazil

The coal mining district in southeastern Santa Catarina State is considered one of the most polluted areas of Brazil. The author has identified significant preliminary results on the application of MSS-LANDSAT digital data to monitor the coal refuse areas and its environmental consequences in this region

Evaluation of SIR-A (Shuttle Imaging Radar) images from the Tres Marias region (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) using derived spatial features and registration with MSS-LANDSAT images

Two image processing experiments are described using a MSS-LANDSAT scene from the Tres Marias region and a shuttle Imaging Radar SIR-A image digitized by a vidicon scanner. In the first experiment the study area is analyzed using the original and preprocessed SIR-A image data. The following thematic classes are obtained: (1) water, (2) dense savanna vegetation, (3) sparse savanna vegetation, (4) reforestation areas and (5) bare soil areas. In the second experiment, the SIR-A image was registered together with MSS-LANDSAT bands five, six, and seven. The same five classes mentioned above are obtained. These results are compared with those obtained using solely MSS-LANDSAT data. The spatial information as well as coregistered SIR-A and MSS-LANDSAT data can increase the separability between classes, as compared to the use of raw SIR-A data solely

An automatic agricultural zone classification procedure for crop inventory satellite images

A classification procedure for assessing crop areal proportion in multispectral scanner image is discussed. The procedure is into four parts: labeling; classification; proportion estimation; and evaluation. The procedure also has the following characteristics: multitemporal classification; the need for a minimum field information; and verification capability between automatic classification and analyst labeling. The processing steps and the main algorithms involved are discussed. An outlook on the future of this technology is also presented

Mapping of land use and geomorphology in the APAPORE project area by LANDSAT satellite data, volume 1

The results of a land use and geomorphological mapping of the so-called Projeto APAPORE area, at Mato Grosso do Sul State are presented. The study was carried out using multispectral scanner (MSS) and return beam vidicon LANDSAT images (channels 5 and 7 for the MSS) at the scale of 1:250,000 from 1980 through visual interpretation. The results indicate that pastureland is the most widespead class and that the agricultural areas re concentrated in the north of the area under study. The area covered with cerradao (arboreous savanna type) has a great areal extention, thus permitting the advance of the agricultural frontier. The geomorphological mapping can be useful to regional planning of future land use within the studied area

Co-Oligomers of Renewable and "Inert" 2-MeTHF and Propylene Oxide for Use in Bio-Based Adhesives

Commercial polyether polyols are usually obtained by the ring-opening polymerization of epoxides or tetrahydrofuran. 2-Methyl-tetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) could be an alternative bio-based building block for the synthesis of these polyols. Although 2-MeTHF cannot be polymerized, we did achieve the copolymerization of 2-MeTHF with propylene oxide (PO) using Lewis and Brønsted acids as catalysts and water or diols as initiators. The resulting polyether polyols have a molecular weight range, which allows their use as components for adhesives. The molar content of 2-MeTHF in the oligomers can be up to 48%. A 1:1 copolymer of 2-MeTHF and PO is produced when stoichiometric amounts of BF3·OEt2 are used. Here, the monomeric units in the chains alternate, but also cyclic or other nondiol products are formed that are detrimental to its further use in adhesives. Linear dihydroxyl-terminated polyether chains were formed when the heteropolyacid H3PW12O40·24H2O was used as a catalyst and a diol as an initiator. The formation of cyclic products can be drastically reduced when the accumulation of propylene oxide during the reaction is avoided. 1H NMR experiments indicate that the step of 2-MeTHF incorporation is the alkylation of 2-MeTHF by protonated PO. It was shown that the 2-MeTHF/PO copolymer had increased tensile strength compared to polypropylene glycol in a two-component adhesive formulation

Excision of sympathetic ganglia and the rami communicantes with histological confirmation offers better early and late outcomes in Video assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy (VATS) is an established minimally invasive procedure for thoracic sympathetic blockade in patients with hyperhidrosis, facial flushing and intractable angina. Various techniques using clips, diathermy and excision are used to perform sympathectomy. We present our technique of excision of the sympathetic chain with histological proof and the analysis of the early and late outcomes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluated 200 procedures in 100 consecutive patients, who underwent Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy by a single surgeon in our centre between September 1996 to March 2007. All patients had maximum medical therapy prior to surgery and were divided into 3 groups based on indications, Group 1(hyperhidrosis: 48 patients), Group 2 (facial flushing: 26 patients) and Group 3(intractable angina: 26 patients). The demography and severity of symptoms for each group were analysed. The endpoints were success rate, 30 day mortality, complications and patient's satisfaction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>99 patients had bilateral VATS sympathectomy and 1 had unilateral sympathectomy. The conversion rate to open was 1(1%). All patients had successful removal of ganglia proven histologically with no perioperative mortality in our series. The complications included pneumothorax (5%), acute coronary syndrome (2%), transient Horner's syndrome (1%), transient paraesthesia (1%), wound infection (4%), compensatory hyperhidrosis (18%), residual flushing (3%) and wound pain (5%). There were five late deaths in the intractable angina group at a mean follow up of 36.7 months. Overall success rates of abolishing the symptoms were 96.3%, 87.5% and 95.2% for Group 1, 2 and 3 respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Excision of the sympathetic chain with histological confirmation during VATS sympathectomy is a safe and effective method in treating hyperhidrosis, facial flushing and intractable angina with good long term results and satisfaction.</p

Distinct intracellular motifs of Delta mediate its ubiquitylation and activation by Mindbomb1 and Neuralized

Ubiquitylation of the intracellular domain of Drosophila Delta is necessary for Notch activation