Relative reflectance data from preprocessed multispectral photography

Abstract

Photographic image tone is an indicator of surface reflectance. If adequately preprocessed, photographic image tone can be used to provide a quantitative measureof relative surface reflectance,essential for many remotesensingapplications. The three preprocessing steps proposed are, first the standardization of the film data to a gamma of 1, second scene to scene ratioing, and third band to band ratioing. This methodology is reviewed and an example of its application provided in the preprocessing of a large multispectral photographic data set.     

A comparison between two photographic methods for the determination of relative bidirectional reflectance

Two simple photographic methods have recently been proposed for the measurement of relative bidirectional reflectance (Lillesand and Kiefer 1979, Curran 1980). These two methods were used to calculate the relative bidirectional reflectance of ten contrasting surfaces. The photographic relative bidirectional reflectance so recorded, was then compared with the radiometric bidirectional reflectance for each surface. Two conclusions were drawn: first, that relative bidirectional reflectance can be measured using these simple photographic techniques, and second, that there was no significant difference between the Lillesand and Kiefer and Curran methods for photographically deriving relative bidirectional reflectance.     

Kiyoteru Tokuyasu: a pioneer of cryo‐ultramicrotomy

In July 2015 Professor K.T. Tokuyasu passed away in San Diego giving us the opportunity to reflect on the contribution this electron microscopist made to the field of immunocytochemistry. His work provided a sensitive, minimally invasive approach to producing thin sections of biological material for labeling with antibodies. His approach has been applied to a wide range of biological applications and provided important information on cellular processes.     

Precision of light intensity measurement in biological optical microscopy

Standardization and calibration of optical microscopy systems have become an important issue owing to the increasing role of biological imaging in high‐content screening technology. The proper interpretation of data from high‐content screening imaging experiments requires detailed information about the capabilities of the systems, including their available dynamic range, sensitivity and noise. Currently available techniques for calibration and standardization of digital microscopes commonly used in cell biology laboratories provide an estimation of stability and measurement precision (noise) of an imaging system at a single level of signal intensity. In addition, only the total noise level, not its characteristics (spectrum), is measured. We propose a novel technique for estimation of temporal variability of signal and noise in microscopic imaging. The method requires registration of a time series of images of any stationary biological specimen. The subsequent analysis involves a multi‐step process, which separates monotonic, periodic and random components of every pixel intensity change in time. The technique allows simultaneous determination of dark, photonic and multiplicative components of noise present in biological measurements. Consequently, a respective confidence interval (noise level) is obtained for each level of signal. The technique is validated using test sets of biological images with known signal and noise characteristics. The method is also applied to assess uncertainty of measurement obtained with two CCD cameras in a wide‐field microscope.     

Landscaping Attributes and Property Buyers' Profiles: Their Joint Effect on House Prices

This paper investigates the effect of environmental features on house values while focusing on the interactions between landscaping attributes and home buyers' profile. The originality of this study rests on the assumption that, while neighbourhood characteristics translate into distinct sub-markets and primarily set the structure of house prices, individual home buyers' preferences, under specific market conditions, also affect values. The study benefits from two distinct, although related data sets on the single-family segment of Quebec City's housing market: while landscaping features were obtained via an extensive field survey of houses sold between 1993 and 2000, a detailed phone survey of related homeowners' family status, age and income profiles is being conducted since 2000. Findings suggest that household profile and structure do shape landscaping preferences and that utility patterns of homeowners may be best understood by looking at interactions between the two sets of variables. Considering that population aging is a major issue for economic and social planners, such a conclusion should be accounted for in housing policy design.     

Energy Consumption in Water Blanching

The energy consumption of a tubular water blancher and a water blancher with screw conveyor were measured as a basis for suggesting energy conserving modifications. The former required 0.54 MJ/kg and the latter 0.91 MJ/kg, indicating the importance of complete steam condensation. A pilot scale experiment with a water blancher heated with heat exchange and by steam injection confirmed the energy savings potential of heating with an exchanger to minimize escape of steam rather than by steam injection.