Geocoded digital videography for validation of land cover mapping in the Amazon basin

Four Validation Overflights for Amazon Mosaics (VOAM) aerial video surveys have been carried out in the Brazilian Amazon to provide ground verification for mapping of wetland cover with the Global Rain Forest Mapping (GRFM) Project JERS-1 (Japanese Earth Remote Sensing Satellite) mosaics of the Amazon basin. Surveys in 1995 and 1996, acquired with handheld analog camcorders from small aircraft, were timed to imaging of the GRFM low- and high-water mosaics, and limited to within 600 km of Manaus. For the 1997 and 1999 flights, digital camcorder systems were installed in the Bandeirante survey plane operated by Brazil's National Institute for Space Research. The VOAM97 and VOAM99 surveys circumscribed the Brazilian Amazon, documenting ground conditions at resolutions on the order of 1 m (wide-angle format) and 10 cm (zoom format) for wetlands, forests, savannas, and human-impacted areas. Global Positioning System (GPS) information encoded on the video audio track was extracted by mosaicking software that automatically generates geocoded digital mosaics from video clips. On the 1999 survey, a laser altimeter recorded profiles of terrain and vegetation canopy heights. A validation dataset was compiled from the videography for a portion of the GRFM mosaics extending 6° by 4° in longitude and latitude, using randomly selected points along flight lines. Other applications of the VOAM videography include acquisition of ground control points for image geolocation, creation of a high-resolution geocoded mosaic of a forest study area, forest biomass estimation, and rapid assessment of fire damage. Geocoded digital videography provides a cost-effective means of compiling high-resolution validation datasets for land cover mapping in remote, cloud-covered regions.     

Method for simulating predictive control of building systems operation in the early stages of building design

A method for simulating predictive control of building systems operation in the early stages of building design is presented. The method uses building simulation based on weather forecasts to predict whether there is a future heating or cooling requirement. This information enables the thermal control systems of the building to respond proactively to keep the operational temperature within the thermal comfort range with the minimum use of energy. The method is implemented in an existing building simulation tool designed to inform decisions in the early stages of building design through parametric analysis. This enables building designers to predict the performance of the method and include it as a part of the solution space. The method furthermore facilitates the task of configuring appropriate building systems control schemes in the tool, and it eliminates time consuming manual reconfiguration when making parametric analysis. A test case featuring an office located in Copenhagen, Denmark, indicates that the method has a potential to save energy and improve thermal comfort compared to more conventional systems control. Further investigations of this potential and the general performance of the method are, however, needed before implementing it in a real building design.     

Analyzing Morphology and Thermal History of Polybutylene Terephthalate by THz Time-domain Spectroscopy

We have measured the frequency-dependent dielectric function of semi-crystalline polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) in the terahertz region between 100 GHz and approximately 2.8 THz. A characteristic band is observed around 2.38 THz. The intensity of this band is a good indicator of the degree of crystallinity of the different samples. A potential assignment of this band is proposed, based on the comparison with spectroscopic data of the structurally very similar polyethylene terephtalate (PET). Furthermore, the frequency-dependent index of refraction of PBT reveals more insight about the morphology and different thermal history of the samples under investigation.     

Visuelle Textanalyse Interaktive Exploration von semantischen Inhalten

Methoden und Techniken zur automatischen Verarbeitung und inhaltlichen Erfassung gro?er Mengen an Textdokumenten haben in den vergangenen Jahren enorm an Bedeutung gewonnen. W?hrend einerseits die Verfügbarkeit und der Zugang zu digitalisierten Textdokumenten bis dato in ungeahntem Ma?e gestiegen sind, erweist sich die Erfassung des semantischen Inhalts solcher Dokumentsammlungen als problematisch. Dem expandierenden Forschungsfeld der visuellen Textanalyse und Textvisualisierung kommt dabei eine Schlüsselrolle bei der L?sung von Problemstellungen aus der Praxis zu. Anhand aktueller Anwendungsbeispiele und einem überblick über den Stand der Forschung erl?utert dieser Artikel die vielf?ltigen M?glichkeiten, die sich durch visuelle Textanalyse ergeben.     

Geschichtliche Entwicklung und aktuelle Praxis der Probebelastung — Teil 1: Geschichtliche Entwicklung im 19. und Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts

Seit der Urzeit sind Menschen bestrebt, in allen Bereichen ihres Lebens ein möglichst großes Maß an Sicherheit zu erreichen. Für das Bauwesen gilt das in ganz besonderer Weise, denn das Versagen von Bauwerken ist in der Gesellschaft viel weniger akzeptiert, als zum Beispiel das Versagen von Kraftfahrzeugen oder elektronischen Geräten. Speziell empfinden wir das Gefühl von Sicherheit, wenn wir “wissen“ oder “sehen“, dass Bauteile den entsprechenden Lasten standhalten. Deshalb stellten Probebelastungen bis ins 19. und 20. Jahrhundert den ultimativen Nachweis der Tragsicherheit für Bauteile und Bauwerke dar. Besonders die Stahlbetonbauweise konnte sich in ihren Anfangsjahren nur deshalb durchsetzen, weil ihre Leistungsfähigkeit durch vielfältige Belastungsproben gegenüber einer großen Öffentlichkeit wirkungsvoll bewiesen wurde. Historical development and current practise of load tests in situ — part 1: historical development in the 19th and at the begin of the 20th century. Since prehistoric times people are striving to achieve the largest possible range of safety in all areas of their lives. For the construction industry this is important in a very special way, because the failure of structures is much less accepted in society, as for example the failure of motor vehicles or electronic devices. We especially feel a sense of security if we really “know“ or “see“ that components can withstand the appropriate loads. Therefore, load tests represented the ultimate proof of the safety of components and structures during the 19th and 20th Century. Especially, reinforced concrete could prevail in its early years only because its performance has been proven effective by a multitude of load tests to a wide public.     

New Restaurant Concept Relies on Ozone,UV Radiation,Ultrasound and Modified Air Packaging

With the development of the new Swiss Ventafresh technology (Steffen, 2007 Steffen, H.P. April 2-4 2007. Presentation of the VENTAFRESH Disinfection and Packing Technology in Several Food Processing Applications, April 2-4, Fresno, CA: Proc. Intl. Water Technology Conference and OZONE V. Session D, paper 4 [Google Scholar]; Steffen et al., 2007a,b) that produces edible, packaged foods having much longer shelf-lives than are available by current technologies, new vistas in food service and restaurant service have become available. About 170 km outside of Madrid is a new food processing and packaging plant. Raw foodstuffs (spices, fruits, meats, vegetables, rice, potatoes, pasta, salads, etc.) are delivered to this plant where they are washed (in ozone-containing water), peeled, sliced, etc. Microwaveable packing trays are filled with ingredients of a complete meal and then sealed with a microwaveable plastic film (sometimes with modified atmospheres). Both the packing trays and the sealing film are disinfected using combinations of ozone and UV radiation. Individual meals are prepared and packaged, but are not precooked, then are delivered to five (currently) Crono Chef restaurants strategically located throughout Madrid (www.crono.tv). There are only waiters/waitresses. A customer entering a Crono Chef restaurant is seated, offered the usual libations, and given a menu of the meals stocked?–?in refrigerators, not frozen. The customer's selection is cooked fresh in one of many microwave ovens on the premises. Cheese and/or desserts follow, along with the usual after-dinner drinks, if desired. This new concept in food delivery can be extended to food service for large institutions, e.g., military installations, sporting events, hospitals, elder care facilities, schools, prisons, highway restaurants, and is available for franchising.