Multispectral photography for earth resources

A guide for producing accurate multispectral results for earth resource applications is presented along with theoretical and analytical concepts of color and multispectral photography. Topics discussed include: capabilities and limitations of color and color infrared films; image color measurements; methods of relating ground phenomena to film density and color measurement; sensitometry; considerations in the selection of multispectral cameras and components; and mission planning

Deep Neural Network Cloud-Type Classification (DeepCTC) model and its application in evaluating PERSIANN-CCS

Satellite remote sensing plays a pivotal role in characterizing hydrometeorological components including cloud types and their associated precipitation. The Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) on the Polar Orbiting CloudSat satellite has provided a unique dataset to characterize cloud types. However, data from this nadir-looking radar offers limited capability for estimating precipitation because of the narrow satellite swath coverage and low temporal frequency. We use these high-quality observations to build a Deep Neural Network Cloud-Type Classification (DeepCTC) model to estimate cloud types from multispectral data from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) onboard the GOES-16 platform. The DeepCTC model is trained and tested using coincident data from both CloudSat and ABI over the CONUS region. Evaluations of DeepCTC indicate that the model performs well for a variety of cloud types including Altostratus, Altocumulus, Cumulus, Nimbostratus, Deep Convective and High clouds. However, capturing low-level clouds remains a challenge for the model. Results from simulated GOES-16 ABI imageries of the Hurricane Harvey event show a large-scale perspective of the rapid and consistent cloud-type monitoring is possible using the DeepCTC model. Additionally, assessments using half-hourly Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor (MRMS) precipitation rate data (for Hurricane Harvey as a case study) show the ability of DeepCTC in identifying rainy clouds, including Deep Convective and Nimbostratus and their precipitation potential. We also use DeepCTC to evaluate the performance of the Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Cloud Classification System (PERSIANN-CCS) product over different cloud types with respect to MRMS referenced at a half-hourly time scale for July 2018. Our analysis suggests that DeepCTC provides supplementary insights into the variability of cloud types to diagnose the weakness and strength of near real-time GEO-based precipitation retrievals. With additional training and testing, we believe DeepCTC has the potential to augment the widely used PERSIANN-CCS algorithm for estimating precipitation

Teaching computer programming with PRIMM: a sociocultural perspective

Background and Context: With computing now becoming a mandatory subject in school in many countries, there is a need for clearly defined pedagogical strategies to support all learners; this is particularly pertinent when teaching computer programming, which novice adults have struggled with for decades. Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory emphasises the importance of language, mediation, and the transfer of skills and knowledge from the social into the cognitive plane. This perspective has influenced the development of PRIMM (Predict, Run, Investigate, Modify, Make), a structured approach to teaching programming. Objective: The objective of the study was to find out if using PRIMM to teach programming had an impact on learner attainment in secondary school, and the extent to which it was a valuable method for teachers. Method: We evaluated the use of PRIMM in 13 schools with 493 students aged 11-14 alongside a control group, using a mixed-methods approach. Teachers delivered programming lessons using the PRIMM approach for 8-12 weeks. Data were collected via a combination of a baseline test, a post-test to compare control and experimental groups, and teacher interviews. Findings: Learners who participated in the PRIMM lessons performed better in the post test than the control group. Teachers reported several benefits of the PRIMM approach, including that PRIMM helped them to teach effectively in mixed-ability classes, enabling all learners to make progress. Implications: We hope that PRIMM makes a contribution to programming education research, as it builds on previous work in effective pedagogy for teachers, and encourages the use of language and dialogue to facilitate understanding. Through our evaluation of PRIMM and engagement with classroom teachers, we propose a framework for understanding the learning of programming in the classroom, and present this as an avenue for further research

Flexible intramedullary nails: the panacea for paediatric femoral shaft fractures

Background: Management of pediatric femoral shaft fractures continues to evolve with time with flexible intramedullary nailing being one of the options to treat a specific age group of children. Grey zone exists concerning the cost effectiveness and appropriate timing of nail removal in treating such fractures. The objective of the study was to evaluate the treatment outcome of fracture shaft of the femur in children in the age group of 5- 12 years with flexible intramedullary nail.Methods: The study comprised of 30 consecutive cases of acute fractures of the femoral shaft in children of the age group of 5 to 12 years. Only closed fractures of the mid-diaphyseal region of the femur were included while supracondylar, subtrochanteric and pathological fractures were excluded. Flexible intramedullary nails of stainless steel (n=24) or titanium (n=6) were used for fixation of these fractures.Results: Evaluation of the results was done according to the criteria by Flynn et al. 21(70%) out of 30 patients had an excellent result and remaining 9 (30%) had a satisfactory result. All fractures united with a full range of motion at the hip and knee joint without any major complications. Conclusions: Intramedullary elastic nailing of simple diaphyseal femur fractures in children is an effective method with negligible complications. Treatment cost can be significantly lowered by using the much cheaper stainless steel flexible nails rather than the more expensive titanium nails

Molecular Dipolar Crystals as High Fidelity Quantum Memory for Hybrid Quantum Computing

We study collective excitations of rotational and spin states of an ensemble of polar molecules, which are prepared in a dipolar crystalline phase, as a candidate for a high fidelity quantum memory. While dipolar crystals are formed in the high density limit of cold clouds of polar molecules under 1D and 2D trapping conditions, the crystalline structure protects the molecular qubits from detrimental effects of short range collisions. We calculate the lifetime of the quantum memory by identifying the dominant decoherence mechanisms, and estimate their effects on gate operations, when a molecular ensemble qubit is transferred to a superconducting strip line cavity (circuit QED). In the case rotational excitations coupled by dipole-dipole interactions we identify phonons as the main limitation of the life time of qubits. We study specific setups and conditions, where the coupling to the phonon modes is minimized. Detailed results are presented for a 1D dipolar chain

Retaining Expression on De-identified Faces

© Springer International Publishing AG 2017The extensive use of video surveillance along with advances in face recognition has ignited concerns about the privacy of the people identifiable in the recorded documents. A face de-identification algorithm, named k-Same, has been proposed by prior research and guarantees to thwart face recognition software. However, like many previous attempts in face de-identification, kSame fails to preserve the utility such as gender and expression of the original data. To overcome this, a new algorithm is proposed here to preserve data utility as well as protect privacy. In terms of utility preservation, this new algorithm is capable of preserving not only the category of the facial expression (e.g., happy or sad) but also the intensity of the expression. This new algorithm for face de-identification possesses a great potential especially with real-world images and videos as each facial expression in real life is a continuous motion consisting of images of the same expression with various degrees of intensity.Peer reviewe

Antimicrobial and toxicological studies of some metal complexes of 4-methylpiperazine-1-carbodithioate and phenanthroline mixed ligands

A few mixed ligand transition metal carbodithioate complexes of the general formula [M(4-MPipzcdt)x(phen)y]Y (M = Mn(II), Co(II), Zn(II); 4-MPipzcdt = 4-methylpiperazine-1-carbodithioate; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; x = 1 and y = 2 when Y = Cl; x = 2 and y = 1 when Y = nil) were synthesized and screened for their antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcusfaecalis by disk diffusion method. All the complexes exhibited prominent antimicrobial activity against tested pathogenic strains with the MIC values in the range &lt;8-512 &mu;gmL-1. The complexes [Mn(4-MPipzcdt)2(phen)] and [Co(4-MPipzcdt)(phen)2]Cl inhibited the growth of Candida albicans at a concentration as low as 8 &micro;gmL-1.The complexes were also evaluated for their toxicity towards human transformed rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RD cells). Moderate cell viability of the RD cells was exhibited against the metal complexes.<br /

Effect of Used Engine Oil and UV-Thermal Pretreatments on Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene by Lysinibacillus fusiformis TPB

The present study focused on the impact of Used Engine Oil (UEO) and abiotic pretreatments by ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thermal treatment at 70°C for 144 h on the potential of Lysinibacillus fusiformis TPB isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soil for the biodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in mineral salt medium at 30°C and 150 rpm for 30 days. The isolated L. fusiformis TPB degraded 9.51% of LPDE films without any treatment and used as the sole carbon source for biomass production. The supplementation of used engine oil (0.5% v/v) enhanced biodegradation of untreated LDPE films to 11.96% comparable to a non-ionic surfactant Tween 80. The abiotic pretreatments had also facilitated metabolism of LDPE by L. fusiformis TPB. The biodegradation of UV treated LDPE by L. fusiformis TPB was 13.78% and was significantly higher than thermally treated LDPE with 12.89% biodegradation. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum revealed structural and morphological changes in the LDPE films by abiotic pretreatments and were associated with addition of carbonyl groups and change in double bond index. The Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of LDPE films from UEO and UV-thermal pretreated LDPE supplemented mineral salt media confirmed the improved bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. The isolated L. fusiformis TPB had LDPE degradation potential and biodegradation had improved by UEO supplementation and UV-thermal pretreatments