Georeferenced road extraction and formulation of hypotheses for new road segments

The acquisition and update of Geographic Information System (GIS) data are typically carried out using aerial or satellite imagery. Since new roads are usually linked to georeferenced pre-existing road network, the extraction of pre-existing road segments may provide good hypotheses for the updating process. This paper addresses the problem of extracting georeferenced roads from images and formulating hypotheses for the presence of new road segments. Our approach proceeds in three steps. First, salient points are identified and measured along roads from a map or GIS database by an operator or an automatic tool. These salient points are then projected onto the image-space and errors inherent in this process are calculated. In the second step, the georeferenced roads are extracted from the image using a dynamic programming (DP) algorithm. The projected salient points and corresponding error estimates are used as input for this extraction process. Finally, the road center axes extracted in the previous step are analyzed to identify potential new segments attached to the extracted, pre-existing one. This analysis is performed using a combination of edge-based and correlation-based algorithms. In this paper we present our approach and early implementation results.

Semi-automatic modeling of buildings from digital surface models

Semi-automatic building detection and extraction is a topic of growing interest due to its potential application in such areas as cadastral information systems, cartographic revision, and GIS. One of the existing strategies for building extraction is to use a digital surface model (DSM) represented by a cloud of known points on a visible surface, and comprising features such as trees or buildings. Conventional surface modeling using stereo-matching techniques has its drawbacks, the most obvious being the effect of building height on perspective, shadows, and occlusions. The laser scanner, a recently developed technological tool, can collect accurate DSMs with high spatial frequency. This paper presents a methodology for semi-automatic modeling of buildings which combines a region-growing algorithm with line-detection methods applied over the DSM.

Modified barrier method for optimal power flow problem

In this paper is presented a new approach for optimal power flow problem. This approach is based on the modified barrier function and the primal-dual logarithmic barrier method. A Lagrangian function is associated with the modified problem. The first-order necessary conditions for optimality are fulfilled by Newton's method, and by updating the barrier terms. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been examined by solving the Brazilian 53-bus, IEEE118-bus and IEEE162-bus systems.

Geração de modelos digitais de superfície por meio de plataformas computacionais com estrutura vetorial e raster

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrate the technologies related to Geoprocessing, with the ability to manipulate georeferenced information through data storage, management and analysis. One of the GIS applications is the generation of Digital Elevation Models (DEM) as a result of rebuilding the elevation of a region using computation tools and artificial representation. This paper presents the DEM created from a point base in two computational frameworks with different structures (vector and raster), comparing the contour lines generated from these models with the original contour lines from analog cartographic base. It was observed that one of the generated models presented some discrepancies related to real space for both GIS structures. However, using constrained Delaunay's triangulation in raster GIS a digital elevation model was generated with contour lines quite close to the original ones, with satisfactory results. A 3-D terrain representation was also created offering a very useful tool for analysis.

Inovação tecnológica e o mercado de trabalho do engenheiro cartógrafo

The article focuses on the presence of the technologic innovation and the surveyed current conditions of the cartographic engineer's work market. The methodology is based on forms with objective questions answered by the professionals. The current survey is the fourth one starting in 1995 and the first one with on line forms filled out by the Brazilian Association of Cartographic Engineers - São Paulo Section's web page. The sample was made up with 141 engineers and it revealed numbers that confirm the growing visibility and social recognition of the Brazilian cartographic engineer, although still far from the condition consistent with the territorial extension and the importance of Cartography for the country. The survey shows that the monthly average revenues are of approximately fifteen minimum wages; that the sample has only 13% of employers, although it is the highest percentage among all surveys; that 63 professionals cited 127 times that their organizations are related to technologic innovation at a proportion of two citations per organization; that 69% of the sample are optimists concerned to the future. Other important pieces of in formation to students and professionals will also be discussed in the article.

Inibidores da HIV-integrase: Potencial abordagem farmacológica para tratamento da AIDS

AIDS has the HIV as its etiological agent. Researches has been done to find new pharmacological agents to be used in therapy, because of problems of resistance and side effects. The HIV-integrase inhibitors are some of those new agents that are being studied. This updating focusses on the fundamental information about HIV and HIV-integrase and the main methods being used to develop these new drugs, with examples for each case.

A new implementation of Population Based Incremental Learning method for optimization studies in electromagnetics

To enhance the global search ability of Population Based Incremental Learning (PBIL) methods, It Is proposed that multiple probability vectors are to be Included on available PBIL algorithms. As a result, the strategy for updating those probability vectors and the negative learning and mutation operators are redefined as reported. Numerical examples are reported to demonstrate the pros and cons of the newly Implemented algorithm. ©2006 IEEE.

Detecção de bordas em imagens digitais através de um processo de difusão anisotrópica não linear

The edges detection model by a non-linear anisotropic diffusion, consists in a mathematical model of smoothing based in Partial Differential Equation (PDE), alternative to the conventional low-pass filters. The smoothing model consists in a selective process, where homogeneous areas of the image are smoothed intensely in agreement with the temporal evolution applied to the model. The level of smoothing is related with the amount of undesired information contained in the image, i.e., the model is directly related with the optimal level of smoothing, eliminating the undesired information and keeping selectively the interest features for Cartography area. The model is primordial for cartographic applications, its function is to realize the image preprocessing without losing edges and other important details on the image, mainly airports tracks and paved roads. Experiments carried out with digital images showed that the methodology allows to obtain the features, e.g. airports tracks, with efficiency.

Software educacional sobre escala de pessoal de enfermagem: Elaboração, desenvolvimento e aplicação via internet

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação da dinâmica dos processos erosivos lineares e sua relação com a evolução do uso da terra

The development of linear erosion processes is directly related with the environment natural characteristics or with modifications that have occurred on them by the anthropic action. In this context, the present article has as a general objective to evaluate the dynamic of the linear erosion processes and their relations with the evolution of the land use and with the lito-pedologic characteristics of the Cavalheiro hydrographic basin - Analândia, SP. In order to reach such objective, maps of erosive features and land use of several settings were elaborated, besides cartographic representations of the geological and pedological data of the study area. The obtained data were analyzed starting from the principles that concern to the General Systems Theory. Such analysis evidenced the intrinsic bond of the development of linear erosion processes with the several forms of land use and with the natural attributes of the studied area. Therefore, the methodological procedure adopted in this research has been considered as fundamental tool to understand the linear erosion processes dynamic, making it possible to take data of extreme relevance for the planning of the use and occupation of the land.

Geoprocessamento e sensoriamento remoto aplicado na determinação da aptidão agrícola de uma microbacia

Soil use for the development of activities as agriculture and livestock has been causing great alterations in the environment, mainly when these are practiced intensively, disrespecting the fragility and aptitude of the natural resources. Therefore, it is essential that the planning of the agricultural activities is done, taking into consideration the several environmental criteria involved in the decision-making process. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the agricultural aptitude classes of lands from a watershed through geographical information system (GIS). The Arroio Ajuricaba watershed is located in the Municipality of Marechal Cândido Rondon - PR among the coordinates UTM 787309m E and 793892m E; 7275026m N and 7281310m N, in the Spindle 21, presenting an area of 1681ha. Soil maps, in semi detail scale, was the digital cartographic base used. The results allowed to conclude that 42.41% of the basin presented a good aptitude for farming in handling level of high technology (handling level C), regular aptitude for B, and restricted aptitude for A [class 1(a)bC] and that 12% of the area had regular aptitude for farming in the three handling levels (class 1abc). The watershed lands (14.24%) presented regular aptitude for farming in handling level C, restricted aptitude for B, and inapt for A [class of aptitude 2(b)c]; 15.85% presented good aptitude for planted pasture (class 4P) and 12.21% were considered without aptitude for agricultural use (class 6). We can say that 71.94% of the lands has aptitude for farming, although they present different degrees of limitations that request different treatments for its conservation.

Análise temporal do uso e ocupação do solo na microbacia hidrográfica do córrego da Fazenda Glória, Município de Taquaritinga, SP

The role of environmental concern is important due to the disorganized land occupation and intense exploitation of natural resources which lead to the degradation and exhaustion of the environment. Remonte sensing techniques allow identifying, recognizing and mapping areas modifiers besides estimating the extension of alterations made by man. Thus, the objective of this study was to map land use and occupation in order to evaluate the development of the Gloria Farm Stream watershed in Taquaritinga, SP, Brazil, from 1983 to 2000. The drainage network and agricultural and natural vegetation areas were identified by stereoscopic analyses of 2000 aerial photographs and by data analyses of the field and cartographic documents. The results verified that sugarcane became predominat in 2000 and it is distributed in relatively large areas with detriment to citrus orchards and other crops. The presence of dams, which is not noted in 1983 data, and the increase of forest and natural vegetal fragment areas in the analyzed period was observed. Recovered areas dur to reforestation with native species were identified along the streams and springs of Jabuticabal Mountain Range.

Compartimentação fisiográfica do município de peruíbe, litoral de São Paulo - uma abordagem metodológica como subsídio à avaliação geotécnica de terrenos

This paper presents a method applied to the seacoast town of Peruibe, São Paulo State, Brazil. The method encompasses the application of remote sensing interpretation techniques and field survey to obtain geotechnical data and thus generate cartographic products composed of easily grouped units that work as database objects and can de used to assist geotechnical zoning. The so-called Compartmentalization Basic Units (CBUs) show the smallest land surface analyzed from its physiographic elements and have in their cores the same geotechnical properties, making it easier to analyze the potentialities and the fragilities of the physical environment and its susceptibility to the action of natural and anthropic processes. In the study area, sixty-eight units were individualized in which geotechnical properties were inferred by photo interpretation criteria, using textural properties of the image adjusted with field observations. The method proved to be easily reproducible, and is especially useful in regions where the absence of basic maps makes it impossible to establish homogeneous zones through traditional overlay of different topic informations.

Análise dos parâmetros morfométricos da bacia do Rio Preto, Serra do Espinhaço (Minas Gerais, Brasil)

The Rio Preto Hydrographic Basin (RPHB) is located in the North-central portion of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 30 km ENE of the city of Diamantina. The sources of the stream of that name are found in the Rio Preto State Park, which has an area of 10,755 hectares. The total area, perimeter, extension, and axial length of the RPHB, as well as other morphometric characteristics, with emphasis on shape indexes, were obtained with the help of the ArcGis 9.2 program. The cartographic data were taken from digitalized topographic charts in a scale of 1:100,000 of the Brazilian Geographical Institute (IBGE). The measured drainage area is of 389.3 km2 and the perimeter is 136.9 km. Due to structural influence, the shape of the RPHB is irrgular and elongated, with drainage developed in a dendritic and parallel pattern. Those characteristics were checked by means of the compaxity coefficient and the shape factor. The first one was estimated in 1.94, what implies that the basin is not subject to fast flooding in years with normal precipitation. The high degree of fluvial downcutting of the basin is confirmed by the fact that it is a 5th order basin, it presents a significant branching rate and a medium drainage density.

Zoneamento geoambiental aplicado ao planejamento da gestão ambiental e territorial do município de Colorado D'Oeste, RO

This research is based on the physical characterization of the environment to support definition of the best land use for the county of Colorado D'Oeste, in State of Rondônia, Brazil. Remote sensing and geoprocessing techniques were applied to support the preparation of a Geoenvironmental Zoning, which was used to define strategies of territorial and environmental management in that county. Digital and analogical remote sensing products, acquired by satellites, and additional cartographic and thematic maps allowed a morphostructural analysis to define low and high structural associated study site tectonic. Subsequently, this information was used to support analysis of the physiographic compartmentation of the study area. Based on this study information, it is possible to define geoenvironmental subzones and local hidrological regime, soils, mineral components, texture, color, and sedimentary materials. By integrating previous described information, a synthesis cartographic map generated. Accordingly, this Cartographic Sheet spatially defined the best land use over the study area, indicates zones for conservation, agricultural, and regeneration (areas that should be recovered). Finally, the results of this research can contribute and support governmental and non-governmental organization and local communities could improve land use and soil management, avoiding natural resource destruction and future land scarcity in the county of Colorado D'Oeste.