Extension of ERIM multispectral data processing capabilities through improved data handling techniques

The improvement and extension of the capabilities of the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan processing facility in handling multispectral data are discussed. Improvements consisted of implementing hardware modifications which permitted more rapid access to the recorded data through improved numbering and indexing of such data. In addition, techniques are discussed for handling data from sources other than the ERIM M-5 and M-7 scanner systems

Investigations in adaptive processing of multispectral data

Adaptive data processing procedures are applied to the problem of classifying objects in a scene scanned by multispectral sensor. These procedures show a performance improvement over standard nonadaptive techniques. Some sources of error in classification are identified and those correctable by adaptive processing are discussed. Experiments in adaptation of signature means by decision-directed methods are described. Some of these methods assume correlation between the trajectories of different signature means; for others this assumption is not made

The Use of New Learning Modalities in the Teaching of Core Concepts in Introductory College Astronomy Classes

This study had, three distinct purposes, and as such, explored several different innovative new educational concepts. One purpose was to find out how many students in college astronomy did not understand the basic concepts and models concerning what causes the seasons on the earth and the understanding of why the moon goes through phases as one of the examples. A pre-test was given to find out the level of understanding the students had concerning these concepts. The students that did not show an understanding of the basic concepts were then used in the study to try several new learning modalities of teaching and understanding the basic concepts

Active and passive multispectral scanner for earth resources applications: An advanced applications flight experiment

The development of an experimental airborne multispectral scanner to provide both active (laser illuminated) and passive (solar illuminated) data from a commonly registered surface scene is discussed. The system was constructed according to specifications derived in an initial programs design study. The system was installed in an aircraft and test flown to produce illustrative active and passive multi-spectral imagery. However, data was not collected nor analyzed for any specific application

MIDAS, prototype Multivariate Interactive Digital Analysis System, Phase 1. Volume 2: Diagnostic system

The MIDAS System is a third-generation, fast, multispectral recognition system able to keep pace with the large quantity and high rates of data acquisition from present and projected sensors. A principal objective of the MIDAS Program is to provide a system well interfaced with the human operator and thus to obtain large overall reductions in turn-around time and significant gains in throughout. The hardware and software generated in Phase I of the over-all program are described. The system contains a mini-computer to control the various high-speed processing elements in the data path and a classifier which implements an all-digital prototype multivariate-Gaussian maximum likelihood decision algorithm operating 2 x 105 pixels/sec. Sufficient hardware was developed to perform signature extraction from computer-compatible tapes, compute classifier coefficients, control the classifier operation, and diagnose operation. Diagnostic programs used to test MIDAS' operations are presented

An empirical test of the embourgeoisement thesis : the Australian case

Australian sociological literature is characterized by a distinct lack of research in the field of social stratification. Indeed, there have been no substantial attempts (apart from the nation-wide Australian National University study carried out by Broom, Jones and Zubrzycki in 1965) to delineate the Australian system of stratification. Likewise, the embourgeoisement thesis, which has aroused considerable research interest in Britain, Europe, and the United States has, with the exception of a small study ln Melbourne, received little empirical attention from Australian social scientists. By means of an empirical test, this study aims to assess the validity of the embourgeoisement thesis within the socio-economic and socia-cultural context of Australia

Strong time dependence of ocean acidification mitigation by atmospheric carbon dioxide removal

In Paris in 2015, the global community agreed to limit global warming to well below 2 ∘C, aiming at even 1.5 ∘C. It is still uncertain whether these targets are sufficient to preserve marine ecosystems and prevent a severe alteration of marine biogeochemical cycles. Here, we show that stringent mitigation strategies consistent with the 1.5 ∘C scenario could, indeed, provoke a critical difference for the ocean’s carbon cycle and calcium carbonate saturation states. Favorable conditions for calcifying organisms like tropical corals and polar pteropods, both of major importance for large ecosystems, can only be maintained if CO2 emissions fall rapidly between 2025 and 2050, potentially requiring an early deployment of CO2 removal techniques in addition to drastic emissions reduction. Furthermore, this outcome can only be achieved if the terrestrial biosphere remains a carbon sink during the entire 21st century

Increased placental resistance and late decelerations associated with severe proteinuric hypertension predicts poor fetal outcome

CITATION: Pattinson, R. C. et al. 1989. Increased placental resistance and late decelerations associated with severe proteinuric hypertension predicts poor fetal outcome. South African Medical Journal, 75:211-214.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaThe flow velocity wave forms generated by Doppler ultrasound examination of the umbilical artery were correlated with feto-placental blood flow and numerically expressed as a ratio between the systolic (A) and the end-diastolic point (B). The technique is non-invasive and simple to perform. A cohort analytical study was done to see whether useful information could be obtained from the A/B ratio that could help in the management of patients with severe proteinuric hypertension. Fifty patients with severe proteinuric hypertension at less than 34 weeks' gestation were studied and serial Doppler ultrasound examinations of the umbilical artery were performed. No ultrasound results were made available to the clinician. An A/B ratio of 6 or greater was regarded as increased. Twenty-eight of the patients had an increased A/B ratio; in this group these 14 infants were small for gestational age, 14 developed late decelerations and there were 12 perinatal deaths. The remaining 22 patients had an A/B ratio of less than 6 and only 3 produced infants which were small for gestational age; 2 fetuses developed late decelerations and there was 1 perinatal death. A significant difference was found between the two groups in respect of these results. The group with an abnormal A/B ratio also experienced more neonatal morbidity. The A/B ratio of the umbilical artery wave form may assist in planning delivery of patients with severe proteinuric hypertension more accurately.Publisher’s versio