Exploring the Linkage of Spatial Indicators from Remote Sensing Data with Survey Data: The Case of the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and 3D City Models

This paper demonstrates the spatial evaluation of survey data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) study using geo-coordinates and spatially relevant indicators from remote sensing data. By geocoding the addresses of survey households with block-level geographic precision (while preventing their identification by name and guaranteeingtheir complete anonymity), data on SOEP respondents can now be analyzed in a specific spatial context. In the past, regional analyses of SOEP based on official regional indicators (e.g., the unemployment rate) always had only very imprecise spatial information to work with. This limitation has now been overcome with the geocoded respondents' information. Within a protected unit of the fieldwork organization responsible for SOEP (TNS Infratest, Munich), the addresses of survey households can now be used to generate a variable describing the location of the household with block-level precision. At DIW Berlin, this additional variable is fed into a special computer infrastructure with multiple security layers that makes the socio-economic analysis possible. This paper demonstrates the use of this geographicallocation and remote sensing data to check respondents' subjective assessments of the location of their residence, anddiscusses the analytical potential of linking remote sensing data and survey data.Remote sensing data, social sciences, behavioral sciences, multi-disciplinarity, SOEP

Exemplarische Integration raumrelevanter Indikatoren auf Basis von "Fernerkundungsdaten" in das Sozio-oekonomische Panel (SOEP)

This paper demonstrates spatial evaluation methods on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) study using geo-coordinates and spatially relevant indicators from remote sensing data. By geocoding the addresses of private households (while not identifying them by name and while guaranteeing their complete anonymity) with block-level geographic precision, respondents' data can now be analyzed in a specific spatial context. Previous regionalanalyses of SOEP on the basis of official regional indicators (e.g., the unemployment rate) were always confronted with very imprecise spatial information. This limitation has now been overcome with the geocoded respondents' information. Within the protected unit of the fieldwork organization responsible for SOEP (TNS Infratest, Munich), the addresses of survey households are used to generate a variable describing the location of the household with block-level precision. At DIW Berlin, this additional variable is fed into a special computer infrastructure with multiple security layers that makes the socio-economic analysis possible. This paper demonstrates the use of geographical location and remote sensing data in checking respondents' subjective assessments of the location of their residence. The analytical potential of linking remote sensing data and survey data is demonstrated and discussed.remote sensing data , social sciences, economics, behavioral sciences, multi-disciplinarity, SOEP

Metallic Wall Hall Thrusters

A Hall thruster apparatus having walls constructed from a conductive material, such as graphite, and having magnetic shielding of the walls from the ionized plasma has been demonstrated to operate with nearly the same efficiency as a conventional nonmagnetically shielded design using insulators as wall components. The new design is believed to provide the potential of higher power and uniform operation over the operating life of a thruster device

Menschen zählen aus dem All. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Satellitendaten zur Abschätzung der Bevölkerungsentwicklung und des Gebäudebestandes in deutschen Städten

Is it possible to count the earth’s population from outer space? The answer is yes, in urban areas it is possible. However, this can only be done in an indirect manner: by identifying physical objects in the urban landscape in earth observation data and using these to estimate the number of inhabitants. Since the approach is indirect, data protection and the individual right to privacy are fully guaranteed. The data obtained using this method fill a gap, given that municipal population registers do not contain accurate population counts. However, remote sensing technology is not able to provide cadastral information. Nevertheless, as this paper shows, satellite imagery is capable of providing the basis for population estimates for small-scale areas. And, of course, remote sensing data also can be used to estimate the building stock. It would make sense to produce such estimates during the intervals between each building stock census, which is usually conducted every ten years with the population census. Remote sensing data cannot replace a population census, but can enrich the analytical power of population census data.Remote Sensing, spatial disaggregation, population estimation, census

Erdbeobachtung als Instrument zur Ableitung räumlicher Kontextmerkmale für kleinräumige sozialwissenschaftliche Analysen

Der Mensch ist in seinem Handeln mit der ihn umgebenden Umwelt verwoben. Neue Möglichkeiten der räumlichen Datenerhebung durch die Erdbeobachtung ermöglichen vor diesem Hintergrund eine neue Betrachtung und Berechnung der Umwelt. Mittels computergestützter, automatisierter Bildanalyseverfahren ist es möglich über große Bereiche der Erdoberfläche Informationen sehr rasch und kostengünstig zu erheben. Auch durch technische Innovationen in der sozialwissenschaftlichen Forschung ist es heutzutage möglich, sowohl kleinräumige personen- und haushaltsbezogene Informationen mit raumstrukturierenden Kontextmerkmalen aus der Erdbeobachtung zu verknüpfen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird exemplarisch die technische Verknüpfung von Haushaltsbefragungen des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP) mit abgeleiteten Kontextmerkmalen aus Erdbeobachtungsdaten dargestellt

Time trends and trophic transfer of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in Antarctic biota

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are “emerged” contaminants that were produced and used as flame retardants in numerous consumer and industrial applications for decades until banned. They remain ubiquitously present in the environment today. Here, a unique set of \u3e200 biotic samples from the Antarctic was analyzed for PBDEs, including phytoplankton, krill, fish, and fur seal milk, spanning several sampling seasons over 14 years. PBDE-47 and -99 were the dominant congeners determined in all samples, constituting \u3e60% of total PBDEs. A temporal trend was observed for ∑7PBDE concentrations in fur seal milk, where concentrations significantly increased (R2 = 0.57, p \u3c 0.05) over time (2000–2014). Results for krill and phytoplankton also suggested increasing PBDE concentrations over time. Trends of PBDEs in fur seal milk of individual seals sampled 1 or more years apart showed no clear temporal trends. Overall, there was no indication of PBDEs decreasing in Antarctic biota yet, whereas numerous studies have reported decreasing trends in the northern hemisphere. Similar PBDE concentrations in perinatal versus nonperinatal milk implied the importance of local PBDE sources for bioaccumulation. These results indicate the need for continued assessment of contaminant trends, such as PBDEs, and their replacements, in Antarctica

Menschen zählen aus dem All: Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Satellitendaten zur Abschätzung der Bevölkerungsentwicklung und des Gebäudebestandes in deutschen Städten

Menschen zählen aus dem All? Kann das denn möglich sein? Die Antwort lautet ja, allerdings ist diese Zählung nur in urbanen Räumen und nur auf indirekte Weise möglich. Aufgrund der indirekten Messung wird freilich gleichzeitig der Datenschutz perfekt gewahrt. Die hier dargestellte Methode beruht darauf, dass die physischen Objekte der Stadtlandschaft, die direkt aus Erdbeobachtungsdaten abgeleitet werden können, dazu benutzt werden, indirekt auf die Anzahl der dort lebenden Personen zu schließen. Diese Methode wird vor allem vor dem Hintergrund interessant, da Einwohnermelderegister insbesondere in Großstädten keine zuverlässige Auskunft über die Einwohnerzahlen geben. Sicherlich kann die Fernerkundung keine katastergenauen Informationen liefern, aber der Beitrag zeigt, dass aus dem All die Bevölkerung in ihrer kleinräumlichen Verteilung verblüffend genau indirekt geschätzt werden kann. Erdbeobachtungsdaten können direkt für gute Schätzungen des Gebäudebestandes genutzt werden. Derartige Schätzungen sind im Zeitraum zwischen Gebäude- und Wohnungszählungen, die typischerweise zusammen mit einem Zensus im Zehnjahresabstand stattfinden, sinnvoll. Erdbeobachtungsdaten können auch einen Bevölkerungszensus keineswegs ersetzen, aber die Erdbeobachtungsdaten vergrößern das Analysepotential von Zensusdaten. (Autorenreferat)Is it possible to count the earth’s population from outer space? The answer is yes, in urban areas it is possible. However, this can only be done in an indirect manner: by identifying physical objects in the urban landscape in earth observation data and using these to estimate the number of inhabitants. Since the approach is indirect, data protection and the individual right to privacy are fully guaranteed. The data obtained using this method fill a gap, given that municipal population registers do not contain accurate population counts. However, remote sensing technology is not able to provide cadastral information. Nevertheless, as this paper shows, satellite imagery is capable of providing the basis for population estimates for small-scale areas. And, of course, remote sensing data also can be used to estimate the building stock. It would make sense to produce such estimates during the intervals between each building stock census, which is usually conducted every ten years with the population census. Remote sensing data cannot replace a population census, but can enrich the analytical power of population census data. (Autorenreferat

Monitoring-Supported Value Generation for Managing Structures and Infrastructure Systems

To maximize its value, the design, development and implementation of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) should focus on its role in facilitating decision support. In this position paper, we offer perspectives on the synergy between SHM and decision-making. We propose a classification of SHM use cases aligning with various dimensions that are closely linked to the respective decision contexts. The types of decisions that have to be supported by the SHM system within these settings are discussed along with the corresponding challenges. We provide an overview of different classes of models that are required for integrating SHM in the decision-making process to support management and operation and maintenance of structures and infrastructure systems. Fundamental decision-theoretic principles and state-of-the-art methods for optimizing maintenance and operational decision-making under uncertainty are briefly discussed. Finally, we offer a viewpoint on the appropriate course of action for quantifying, validating and maximizing the added value generated by SHM. This work aspires to synthesize the different perspectives of the SHM, Prognostic Health Management (PHM), and reliability communities, and deliver a roadmap towards monitoring-based decision support