ID: 56572
Title: The Mumford - Shah variational model for image segmentation: An overview of the theory, implementation and use
Author: Alfonso Vitti
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 69, April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Segmentation, Image processing, variational model, Mathematics, GIS
Abstract: Image segmentation is a hot topic of research given its applicability as a pre-processing technique in many image understanding applications. This paper describes the Mumford-Shah variational model for image segmentation. The mathematical framework and the main features of the model are sketched along with the procedure leading from the analytical expressin of the model to its practical implementation. The Mumford-Shah functional consists of three weighted terms, the interaction which assures that the three conditions of adherence to the data, smoothing, and discontinuity detection are met at once. The solution of the Mumford-Shah variational problem is twofold. On one side, a smooth approximation of the data is built so that the data discontinuities are explicitly preserved from being smoothed. On the other side, the model directly produces as image of the detected discontinuities. An open source software has been developed and used to perform a set of tests on synthetic and real images to demonstrate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the implementation and to give practical evidence of some theoretically foreseen properties of the model. The effect of varying the values of the weight parameters appearing in the Mumford-Shah model has been investigated. In this work, a maximum-likelihood based classifier has been concatenated to the Mumford-Shah model for the processing of a high - resolution orthophoto. The classified image has been compared against the output of the same classifier applied directly to the original orthophoto. Results clearly shows the quality and the practical convenience of variational segmentation. Some promising and interesting extensions of the Mumford-Shah model are also introduced in a dedicated section.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56571
Title: Satellite SAR geocoding with refined RPC model
Author: Lu Zhang, Timo Balz, Mingsheng Liao
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 69, April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: SAR geocoding, Range-Doppler, Rational Polynomial Camera, SAR simulation, Image matching
Abstract: Recent studies have proved that the Rational Polynomial Camera (RPC) model is able to act as reliable replacement of the rigorous Range-Doppler (RD) model for the geometric processing of satellite SAR data-sets. But its capability in absolute geolocation of SAR images has not been evaluated quantitatively. Therefore, in this article the problems of error analysis and refinement of SAR RPC model are primarily investigated to improve the absolute accuracy of SAR geolocation. Range propagation delay and azimuth timing error are identified as two major error sources for SAR geolocation. An approach based on SAR image simulation and real - to- simulated image matching is developed to estimate and correct these two errors. Afterwards a refined RPC model can be built from the error -corrected RD model and then used in satellite SAR geocoding. Three experiments with different settings are designed and conducted to comprehensively evaluate the accuracies of SAR geolocation with both ordinary and refined RPC models. All the experimental results demonstrate that with RPC model refinement the absolute location accuracies of geocoded SAR images can be improved significantly, particularly in Easting direction. In another experiment the computation efficiencies of SAR geocoding with both RD and RPC models are compared quantitatively. The results show that by using the RPC model such efficiency can be remarkably improved by at least 16 times. In addition the problem of DEM data selection for SAR image simulation in RPC model refinement is studied by a comparative experiment. The results reveal that the best choice should be using the proper DEM datasets of spatial resolution comparable to that of the SAR images.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56570
Title: Regional remote sensing by near-space vehicle - borne passive radar system
Author: Wen-Qin Wanga
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 69, April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Regional remote sensing, near-space, passive radar, passive remote sensing, Environment monitoring, Bistatic radar
Abstract: Peristent regional monitoring is particularly valuable in remote sensing applications. Inspired by the advantages of near-space vehicles as compared to satellites and airplanes, this paper presents a regional remote sensing approach by near-space vehicle-borne passive bistatic radars. Note that near-space is defined as the altitude region between 20 and 100 km, which is too high up for conventional airplanes but too low for current satellites. We place passive radar receivers inside near - space vehicles which work in conjunction with opportunistic illuminators such as global positioning system (GPS), spaceborne radar, airborne radar or even ground-based radar as the transmitter, to provide a persistent monitoring. The comparative advantages of near-space vehicle as compared to satellite and airplane are investigated. The system models, signal processing algorithm, synchronization processing technique, and the conceptual design examples are presented. Since experimental data are not available for us, numerical simulation results are provided. Although passive radar is not a new concept, the originality of this paper lies in the matched filter reference signal extraction and synchronization processing algorithms.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56569
Title: Locally adaptive template sizes for matching repeat images of Earth surface mass movements
Author: Misganu Debella-Gilo, Andreas Kaab
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 69, April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Image matching, Normalized cross-correlation, Mass movement , displace ment, adaptive template
Abstract: This paper presents an algorithm for locally adaptive template sizes in normalized cross-correlation (NCC) based image matching for measuring horizontal surface displacements of mass movements. After adaptively identifying candidate templates based on the image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the algorithm iteratively looks for the size at which the maximum cross-correlation coefficient attains a local peak and the matching position gets fixed. The algorithm is tested on modeled (deformed) images and applied to real bi-temporal images of different Earth surface mass movements. It is evaluated in comparison with globally (image-wide) fixed template sizes ranging fro 11 to 101 pixels based on the improvement in the accuracy of displacement estimation and the SNR of image reconstruction. The result show that the algorithm could reduce the error of displacement estimation by up to over 90% (in the modeled case) and improve the SNR of the matching by up to over four times compared to the globally fixed template sizes highly reducing the effects of geometric distoration and noise. The algorithm pushes terrain displacement measurement from repeat images one step forward towards full automation.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56568
Title: Multi-wavelength canopy LiDAR for remote sensing of vegetation: Design and system performance
Author: Gong Wei, Song Shalei, Zhu Bo, Shi Shuo, Li Faquan, Cheng Xuewu
Editor: George Vosselman
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, Vol 69, April 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Keywords: Multi-wavelength canopy LiDAR, Remote sensing, Vegetation physiology, Wavelength selection, Laser vegetation index
Abstract: A new multi-wavelength canopy LiDAR (MWCL) system intended for the remote sensing of vegetation reflection was designed and its measurement performance was investigated. The system operates with four lasers of differeht wavelengths chosen according to nitrogen stresses that induce changes in the optical properties and spectral reflectance of ricer leaves. The optical design and instrumentation are described in this paper as well as a discussion on system calibration. The MWCL system was demonstrated to posses a high capability of recording the physiology of the canopy, which is not possible when solely employing a tradditional single-wavelength LiDAR.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56567
Title: Social relationships among lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) males in differently structured social units
Author: Werner Kaumanns and Mewa Singh
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 10, 25 May 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Agonistic and affiliative interactions, lion-tailed macaques, male-male relationships, social tolerance
Abstract: There is a need to study male-male relationships since models on the evolution of social relationships among primates have mainly focused on females. In this study aspects of the social relationships among lion-tailed macaque males in differently structured social units have been studied. The units include three heterosexual groups with (i) one adult, one subadult, and eight juvenile males; (ii) two adult males, one of which was castrated and (iii) two adult males and a subadult male compared under two different conditions, viz. in a small indoor and a much larger outdoor enclosure. The studies used focal animal sampling and covered minimally three months each. In the first study, over 40% agonistic interactions occurred between adult and subadult males. The interactions with juvenile males were largely of affiliative nature. The castrated male received lower aggression than the normal subadult male. The males showed more aggressive behaviour in the outdoor than in the indoor enclosure. In the latter condition, however, the males showoed more disturbed behaviour. Observations from field studies, earlier attempts at establishing captive all male groups, and the present study point to a high degree of social intolerance among adult lion-tailed macaque males. Therefore, the establishment of all-male groups in the zoos does not appear to be possible. However, due to the fact that the males, especially the related males, show largely affiliative behaviours, it is possible to maintain all-male groups, preferably of individuals from the same groups, up to subadulthood.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56566
Title: Recent microtremors near the Idukki Reservoir, Kerala, South India
Author: Kusala Rajendran, C P Rajendran, Sreekumari Kesavan and R Naveen
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 10, 25 May 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Hydrologic cycles, microtremors, reservoir, triggered earthquakes
Abstract: The continuing low-level seismicity in the vicinity of the Idukki Reservoir, Kerala, is interesting from the perspective of hydrologically triggered earthquakes. While the frequency of triggered earthquakes in the vicinity of a reservoir usually reduces with time and the largest earthquake usually occurs within a few years on the initial filling, the triggered seismicity in the proximity of the Idukki Reservoir seems to be showing a secon, delayed peak, as thd 1977 (M 3.5) tremor was followed by a slightly larger event in 2011. 24 years after the first burst of activity. Quite unprecendented in the context of reservoir-triggered sequences, we consider this delayed sequence as the hydrologic response of a critically stressed hypocentral region, to monsoonal recharging. The sustained activity several decades after the impoundment and the temporal relation with the monsoon suggest that at least some parts of the reservoir region continue to retain the potential for low-level seismic activity in response to hydrologic cycles.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56565
Title: Real-time quantitative rainfall forecasts at hobli-level over Karnataka: evaluation for the winter monsoon 2010
Author: P Goswami, V Rakesh, G K Patra and V S Prakash
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 10, 25 May 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Hobli-level, rainfall, forecast, statistical evaluation, winter monsoon
Abstract: Advance and accurate forecasts of rainfall can aid many sectors, from agriculture to disaster mitigation. However, given the tremendous spatial variability of rainfall, only forecasts at high resolution can serve users ' needs. The skill of a dynamical forecast model depends on the resolution and varies from region to region. While such non-uniquences poses challenges, they also provide avenues for improving skill; in particular, calibration and customization can improve region-specific skill. Here, we present evaluation of rainfall forecast at hobli-level (a cluster of adjoining villages with average area of the order of 10 square kilometers) over Karnataka for the north-east monsoon (October - December) season of 2010, operationally implemented through collaboration between CSIR Centre for Mathematicl Modelling and Computer Simulation (C-MMACS) and Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) for interactive evaluation. We have adopted and calibrated the Limited Area Model, called Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, using principles and methodologies developed at C-MMACS and elsewhere. Statistical evaluation of the forecasts is conducted against observations from the telemetric rain-guage network established by KSNDMC based on large samples (90 forecasts for each of the 740 hoblis). The results show that forecasts capture the observed spatio-temporal variability well enough to be useful. At the same time, certain areas of systematic bias are identified for further calibration to improve forecast skill. As a pioneering effort in the country to generate real time hobli- level forecasts validated against high-density observations, the results quantify realizable skill for the methodology. The forecasts are also disseminated by KSNDMC to various users on a daily basis.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56564
Title: How safe are our rural structures? Lessons from the 2011 Sikkim Earthquake
Author: Sandeep Tambe, Rajesh Kumar, M L Arrawatia and Anil K Ganeriwala
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 10, 25 May 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Damage assessment, earthquake, preparedness, rural structures
Abstract: Increasing frequency and intensity of earthquakes has renewed the urgency in improving the preparedness and in making the infrastructure earthquake-resistant. Sikkim, a northeastern Indian Himalayan state, was hit by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake of intensity VII on 18 September 2011, which triggered hundreds of boulders falls and landslides, causing extensive damage to public and private infrastructure. An assessment of the strengths and weakness of the various structures present in rural areas was carried out. Assessment of the quantum of damage indicated that though half of the 90,000 rural houses in the state had suffered various degrees of damage, there were only a few deaths due to these houses, highlighting their inherent earthquake-safe character. This earthquake is a wake-up call to enforce building and seismic codes, making building insurance compulsory along with the use of quality material and skilled workmanship. Mass training of mansons and orientation of the local community is needed to make earthquake-resistant house construction a standard practice in future.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56563
Title: Bio-business in brief: a case for new drugs at generic prices from India
Author: Suri Venkatachalam and Gayatri Saberwal
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 10, 25 May 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Affordable medicine, drug discovery, funding model, generic and innovative drugs
Abstract: The current drug discovery paradigm in the West is constrained in what it can do, primarily due to the funding model. Here we envisage a hypothetical non-governmental, non-profit organization called the Centre for Affordable Medicine. By sourcing innovation from a network of academic and corporate partners, and working primarily in India, it could lower the cost of innovation. Funding could be from a variety of players that expect a social, non financial, return. The drugs thus developed could be licensed out to a limited number of generic pharma companies, and thus be available at generic prices immediately.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56562
Title: Origin of mountains and primary initiation of submarine canyons: the consequences of Earth ' s early formation as a Jupiter - like gas giant
Author: J Marvin Herndon
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 10, 25 May 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56561
Title: Plant biodiversity conservation and role of botanists
Author: V A Bapat, G B Dixit and S R Yadav
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 10, 25 May 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56560
Title: Biodiversity register adn indigenous knowledge: A case study of Baigachak Area, in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh
Author: Ratul Saha and Prodyut Bhattacharya
Editor: K C Malhotra
Year: 2011
Publisher: Kamla-Raj Enterprises, Vol 2, No 2, December 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Biodiversity
Keywords: Conservation forests, Biological diversity Act, primitive tribes, Central India, Resource Management Documentation
Abstract: Conservation of biological diversity is extremely imperative as it is essential for efficient functioning of the ecosystem which actually accounts the innumerable life forms. Local initiative have been taken to conserve biodiversity in landscape coninuum in the form of sacred groves, home gardens and other indigenous practices. The wealth of NTFP and medicinal plant life useful to people is a strong justification for their conservation. Unfortunately, this indigenous knowledge on the properties, utilization and conservation aspects of plant resources available with tribal groups is on the verge of depletion due to development activities which are adversely affectign the cutural and traditional life of these groups. Tribal cultures are themselves disappearing and with them go their plant lore. Studies have shown that indigenous knowledge and biodiversity are complementary phenomena and are needed to conserve biodiversity. The study aimed to develop and document the process of a Biodiversity Register for two forest villages (Dhaba and Sherajhar) in Baigachak area, in Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh. The register identifies both wild and agro biodiversity elements and their indigenous knowledge. Development of management plan was a part of exercise to review local knowledge and conservation practices. Participatory Rural Appraisal tools along with conventional questionnaire methods were used to understand the biodiversity situation in their landscape covering 10 villages of Baigachak area, a comprised of Baiga, the primitive tribes of Madhya Pradesh. The study indicates that a rich biodiversity (109 floral species, 57 species of birds, 16 species of butterflies, 3 species of amphibian, 17 species of reptilian and 1 species of mammals) exists around the study area, local people ' s concern whereas there is a declining rate of availability for the last 15 years due to various reasons.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56559
Title: Diversity, distribution, indigenous uses and conservation of the medicinal plants of Indian Himalayan Region used in Cancer
Author: S S Samant, Shalini Vidyarthi, S Pant, P Sharma (Sr. ), S. Marpa and P Sharma (Jr)
Editor: K C Malhotra
Year: 2011
Publisher: Kamla-Raj Enterprises, Vol 2, No 2, December 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Biodiversity
Keywords: Indian Himalayan region, Cancer, diversity, Native, Indigenous uses, Chemical composition
Abstract: Indian Himalayan Region is very well known for the medicinal plant wealth. The representative, natural and unique medicinal plants are made used for curing various diseases/ailments including cancer and income generation . In vies of high value of the medicinal plants of IHR, an attempt has been made to ; (i) assess and review the medicianl plants with anti-cancerous properties; (ii) document indigenous uses and practices; (iii) analyze for nativity, endemism and rarity; (iv) review the species for chemical composition /active ingredients; and (v) suggest strategy for the conservation and management of these species. Total 36 species representing trees (18 spp), shrubs (07 spp), herbs (08 spp). and ferns (01 spp) were recorded. Different parts of these species, such as whole plants, roots (including rhizomes and tubers), leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, stems, barks etc. were used by the inhabitants for curing the cancer. Four (04) species were natives and 31 species non-natives to the Himalayan region. Two species i.e. Berberis aristata and Taxus baccata subsp. Wallichiana were near endemic. Chemical composition of the part(s) used, if available, has been given. Due to over exploitation, habitat degradation and changing environmental conditions, the populations of many species are depleting fast. Therefore, studies on habitat ecology, development of convetional and in-vitro propagation protocols; development of agro techniques/plantation techniques and introductionin the akin habitats; and education and awareness programs for the inhabitants are suggested.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56558
Title: Ecosystem services in Sacred Natural Sites (SNSs) of Uttarakhand: A preliminary survey
Author: Yogesh Gokhale and Nazir A Pala
Editor: K C Malhotra
Year: 2011
Publisher: Kamla-Raj Enterprises, Vol 2, No 2, December 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Journal of Biodiversity
Keywords: Garhwal and Kumaon, Local Inhabitants, Sacred Groves, Cultural Services
Abstract: The present work was carried with the aim to document the Sacred Natural Sites in both Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand to access their major ecosystem services benfiting at both regional levels to local inhabitants and globally benefitting environment. The Sacred Natural Sites (SNS) included sacred forests, sacred groves, sacred bugyals and water bodies. A total of 130 SNS were found during the present study located in different areas of Uttarakhand. The surveyed SNS included 55 groves, 44 forests, 24 meadows /bugyals/Kharks and 6 water bodies. With respect ot the range of ecosystem services offered by the SNS about 24 percent share goes to the cutlural services and 32 percent each for supporting and provisioning services whereas 12 percent services are of regulatory in nature.
Location: 215
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None