Multiobjective PSO based adaption of neural network topology for pixel classification in satellite imagery

The proposed work involves the multiobjective PSO based adaption of optimal neural network topology for the classification of multispectral satellite images. It is per pixel supervised classification using spectral bands (original feature space). This paper also presents a thorough experimental analysis to investigate the behavior of neural network classifier for given problem. Based on 1050 number of experiments, we conclude that following two critical issues needs to be addressed: (1) selection of most discriminative spectral bands and (2) determination of optimal number of nodes in hidden layer. We propose new methodology based on multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) technique to determine discriminative spectral bands and the number of hidden layer node simultaneously. The accuracy with neural network structure thus obtained is compared with that of traditional classifiers like MLC and Euclidean classifier. The performance of proposed classifier is evaluated quantitatively using Xie-Beni and β indexes. The result shows the superiority of the proposed method to the conventional one.     

基于时频域的卷积神经网络运动想象脑电信号识别方法

针对目前运动想象脑电（EEG）信号识别率较低的问题，考虑到脑电信号蕴含着丰富的时频信息，提出一种基于时频域的卷积神经网络（CNN）运动想象脑电信号识别方法。首先，利用短时傅里叶变换（STFT）对脑电信号的相关频带进行预处理，并将多个电极的时频图组合构造出一种二维时频图；然后，针对二维时频图的时频特性，通过一维卷积的方法设计了一种新颖的CNN结构；最后，通过支持向量机（SVM）对CNN提取的特征进行分类。基于BCI数据集的实验结果表明，所提方法的平均识别率为86.5%，优于其他传统运动想象脑电信号识别方法；同时将该方法应用在智能轮椅上，验证了其有效性。     

Change detection in synthetic aperture radar images based on unsupervised artificial immune systems

In this paper, we propose a novel change detection method for synthetic aperture radar images based on unsupervised artificial immune systems. After generating the difference image from the multitemporal images, we take each pixel as an antigen and build an immune model to deal with the antigens. By continuously stimulating the immune model, the antigens are classified into two groups, changed and unchanged. Firstly, the proposed method incorporates the local information in order to restrain the impact of speckle noise. Secondly, the proposed method simulates the immune response process in a fuzzy way to get an accurate result by retaining more image details. We introduce a fuzzy membership of the antigen and then update the antibodies and memory cells according to the membership. Compared with the clustering algorithms we have proposed in our previous works, the new method inherits immunological properties from immune systems and is robust to speckle noise due to the use of local information as well as fuzzy strategy. Experiments on real synthetic aperture radar images show that the proposed method performs well on several kinds of difference images and engenders more robust result than the other compared methods.     

Characterizing physical habitat preferences and thermal refuge occupancy of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at high river temperatures

Anthropogenic influences, including climate change, are increasing river temperatures in northern and temperate regions and threatening the thermal habitats of native salmonids. When river temperatures exceed the tolerance levels of brook trout and Atlantic salmon, individuals exhibit behavioural thermoregulation by seeking out cold‐water refugia – often created by tributaries and groundwater discharge. Thermal infrared (TIR) imagery was used to map cold‐water anomalies along a 53 km reach of the Cains River, New Brunswick. Trout and salmon parr did not use all identified thermal anomalies as refugia during higher river temperature periods (>21°C). Most small‐bodied trout (8–30 cm) were observed in 80% of the thermal anomalies sampled. Large‐bodied trout (>35 cm) required a more specific set of physical habitat conditions for suitable refugia, that is, 100% of observed large trout used 30% of the anomalies sampled and required water depths >65 cm within or adjacent to the anomaly. Densities of trout were significantly higher within anomalies compared with areas of ambient river temperature. Salmon parr were less aligned with thermal anomalies at the observed temperatures, that is, 59% were found in 65% of the sampled anomalies; and densities were not significantly different within/ outside anomalies. Salmon parr appeared to aggregate at 27°C, and after several events over 27°C variability in aggregation behaviour was observed – some fish aggregated at 25°C, others did not. We stipulate this is due to variances of thermal fatigue. Habitat suitability curves were developed for velocity, temperature, depth, substrate, and deep water availability to characterize conditions preferred by fish during high‐temperature events. These findings are useful for managers as our climate warms, and can potentially be used as a tool to help conserve and enhance thermal refugia for brook trout and Atlantic salmon in similar systems.     

基于两层均匀媒质的GPEN SAR地下目标成像方法及其性能分析

地表穿透合成孔径雷达(Ground PENetration SAR,GPEN SAR)为了探测掩埋在地下的目标,通常工作在多层媒质的环境中。传统成像模型是建立在同一均匀媒质的假设上,不再适合于GPEN SAR的实际情况。本文首先建立了两层分区均匀媒质中的成像模型,然后利用后向投影(BP)算法定量分析了成像几何参数、土壤参数等对成像的影响,进而提出了一种修正的后向投影(MBP)算法。MBP算法不仅能够校正两层分区均匀媒质对成像定位的影响,还能估计目标的掩埋深度,提供目标三维位置坐标。仿真结果验证了MBP算法在不同信噪比环境下,对多目标的三维定位精度能满足实际的需要。     

A simple polyol synthesis of silver metal nanopowder of uniform particles

Silver metal has been synthesized in form of a finely divided loose nanopowder, 10–30 nm particle sizes, using a simple polyol process. In hot water, polymer molecules of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) induce Ag⁺ → Ag reaction as a weak reducer (suitable to control the final particle size), forming a nanofluid of Ag nanoparticles in situ dispersing in part of PVA molecules. Ag nanoparticles do not aggregate much when casting a viscous Ag–PVA nanofluid (hot) onto a substrate in thin laminates or films. Freestanding Ag–PVA films could be obtained of 1–5 mm thickness after drying at room temperature. Dried sample can be easily peeled from a silicate glass substrate. As small as 5–10 mm Ag–PVA pieces were heated in air in order to recollect Ag nanoparticles by burning off the polymer. At 300–400 °C, Ag–PVA disintegrates and encounters combustion in air, resulting in a pure Ag-powder. As analyzed by X-ray diffraction, a single crystalline phase of an Fm3m cubic crystal structure formed. Lattice parameter a = 0.4071 nm and density ρ = 10.61 g/cm³ compare well the bulk values a = 0.4086 nm and ρ = 10.50 g/cm³.     

Satellite SAR Remote Sensing of Great Lakes Ice Cover,Part 2. Ice Classification and Mapping

During the 1997 winter season, shipborne polarimetric backscatter measurements of Great Lakes (freshwater) ice types using the Jet Propulsion Laboratory C-band scatterometer, together with surface-based ice physical characterization measurements and environmental parameters, were acquired concurrently with Earth Resource Satellite 2 (ERS-2) and RADARSAT Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. This polarimetric data set, composed of over 20 variations of different ice types measured at incident angles from 0° to 60° for all polarizations, was processed to radar cross-section to establish a library of signatures (look-up table) for different ice types. The library is used in the computer classification of calibrated satellite SAR data. Computer analysis of ERS-2 and RADARSAT ScanSAR images of Great Lakes ice cover using a supervised classification technique indicates that different ice types in the ice cover can be identified and mapped, and that wind speed and direction can have an influence on the classification of water as ice based on single frequency, single polarization data. Once satellite SAR data are classified into ice types, the ice map provides important and necessary input for environmental protection and management, ice control and ice breaking operations, and ice forecasting and modeling efforts.     

Differentiating visual and kinesthetic imagery in mental practice.

Through two experiments, the study sought to emphasize the usefulness of the visual and kinesthetic imagery in mental practice. In Experiment 1, it was hypothesized that when the task to be learned through mental practice necessitates the reproduction of a form by drawing, the visual image, which provides a wide span of apprehension, is more suitable than the kinesthetic image. On the other hand, the kinesthetic image that supplies inputs from the muscles' positions and movements should be more appropriate for the acquisition of the duration of the drawing. In Experiment 2, it was hypothesized that the task, transformed into a motor task necessitating minute coordination of the two hands, would benefit more from kinesthetic imagery. To have optimal control over what was actually experienced during mental practice, the participants' imagery skills were measured. The participants also benefited from prior imagery training. The results demonstrate that when using mental practice to initially acquire a task, visual imagery is better for tasks that emphasize form while kinesthetic imagery is better for those tasks that emphasize timing or minute coordination of the two hands. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

想象热刺激和实际热刺激脑功能成像研究

本实验用功能性核磁共振成像技术（fMRI）对人想象热刺激和实际接受热刺激进行了研究。这是继想象冷刺激和实际接受冷刺激实验之后的另一个关于想象刺激与实际接受刺激的实验、实验结果发现想象热刺激与实际热刺激激活脑区既有相同之处也有不同之处。想象热刺激激活了初级体感区（SI）、左侧额上回、左侧额中回、运动区和扣带回。实际热刺激激活了初级体感区（SI）区、右侧额上回、右侧额中回、运动区。区别在于额叶和扣带回,这个结论与想象冷刺激和实际冷刺激实验的结论几乎相同,只是两种情况下在额叶的具体差别不同。