Urban sprawl analysis and modeling in Asmara, Eritreia: Application of Geospatial Tools

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Geospatial assessment of pest-induced forest damage through the use of UAV-bases NIR imaging and Gi-technology

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Analyzing Geospatial patterns of syrian refugee flows in southeastern Turkey by use of remote sensing and complementary data

Crisis-affected communities and global organizations for international aid are becoming increasingly digital as consequence geotechnology popularity. Humanitarian sector changed in profound ways by adopting new technical approach to obtain information from area with difficult geographical or political access. Since 2011, turkey is hosting a growing number of Syrian refugees along southeastern region. Turkish policy of hosting them in camps and the difficulty created by governors to international aid group expeditions to get information, made such international organizations to investigate and adopt other approach in order to obtain information needed. They intensified its remote sensing approach. However, the majority of studies used very high-resolution satellite imagery (VHRSI). The study area is extensive and the temporal resolution of VHRSI is low, besides it is infeasible only using these sensors as unique approach for the whole area. The focus of this research, aims to investigate the potentialities of mid-resolution imagery (here only Landsat) to obtain information from region in crisis (here, southeastern Turkey) through a new web-based platform called Google Earth Engine (GEE). Hereby it is also intended to verify GEE currently reliability once the Application Programming Interface (API) is still in beta version. The finds here shows that the basic functions are trustworthy. Results pointed out that Landsat can recognize change in the spectral resolution clearly only for the first settlement. The ongoing modifications vary for each case. Overall, Landsat demonstrated high limitations, but need more investigations and may be used, with restriction, as a support of VHRSI.

Land cover classification of Lago Grande de Curuai floodplain (Amazon, Brazil) using multi-sensor and image fusion techniques

Given the limitations of different types of remote sensing images, automated land-cover classifications of the Amazon várzea may yield poor accuracy indexes. One way to improve accuracy is through the combination of images from different sensors, by either image fusion or multi-sensor classifications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine which classification method is more efficient in improving land cover classification accuracies for the Amazon várzea and similar wetland environments - (a) synthetically fused optical and SAR images or (b) multi-sensor classification of paired SAR and optical images. Land cover classifications based on images from a single sensor (Landsat TM or Radarsat-2) are compared with multi-sensor and image fusion classifications. Object-based image analyses (OBIA) and the J.48 data-mining algorithm were used for automated classification, and classification accuracies were assessed using the kappa index of agreement and the recently proposed allocation and quantity disagreement measures. Overall, optical-based classifications had better accuracy than SAR-based classifications. Once both datasets were combined using the multi-sensor approach, there was a 2% decrease in allocation disagreement, as the method was able to overcome part of the limitations present in both images. Accuracy decreased when image fusion methods were used, however. We therefore concluded that the multi-sensor classification method is more appropriate for classifying land cover in the Amazon várzea.

Decision Errors, Legal Uncertainty and Welfare: a General Treatment

This paper provides a general treatment of the implications for welfare of legal uncertainty. We distinguish legal uncertainty from decision errors: though the former can be influenced by the latter, the latter are neither necessary nor sufficient for the existence of legal uncertainty. We show that an increase in decision errors will always reduce welfare. However, for any given level of decision errors, information structures involving more legal uncertainty can improve welfare. This holds always, even when there is complete legal uncertainty, when sanctions on socially harmful actions are set at their optimal level. This transforms radically one���s perception about the ���costs��� of legal uncertainty. We also provide general proofs for two results, previously established under restrictive assumptions. The first is that Effects-Based enforcement procedures may welfare dominate Per Se (or object-based) procedures and will always do so when sanctions are optimally set. The second is that optimal sanctions may well be higher under enforcement procedures involving more legal uncertainty.

Geomodelling of a fluvial system with semi-supervised support vector regression

Fluvial deposits are a challenge for modelling flow in sub-surface reservoirs. Connectivity and continuity of permeable bodies have a major impact on fluid flow in porous media. Contemporary object-based and multipoint statistics methods face a problem of robust representation of connected structures. An alternative approach to model petrophysical properties is based on machine learning algorithm ? Support Vector Regression (SVR). Semi-supervised SVR is able to establish spatial connectivity taking into account the prior knowledge on natural similarities. SVR as a learning algorithm is robust to noise and captures dependencies from all available data. Semi-supervised SVR applied to a synthetic fluvial reservoir demonstrated robust results, which are well matched to the flow performance

Evolution and sedimentology of a channel fill in the sandy braided South Saskatchewan River and its comparison to the deposits of an adjacent compound bar

The depositional stratigraphy of within-channel deposits in sandy braided rivers is dominated by a variety of barforms (both singular `unit' bars and complex `compound' bars), as well as the infill of individual channels (herein termed `channel fills'). The deposits of bars and channel fills define the key components of facies models for braided rivers and their within-channel heterogeneity, knowledge of which is important for reservoir characterization. However, few studies have sought to address the question of whether the deposits of bars and channel fills can be readily differentiated from each other. This paper presents the first quantitative study to achieve this aim, using aerial images of an evolving modern sandy braided river and geophysical imaging of its subsurface deposits. Aerial photographs taken between 2000 and 2004 document the abandonment and fill of a 1 3 km long, 80 m wide anabranch channel in the sandy braided South Saskatchewan River, Canada. Upstream river regulation traps the majority of very fine sediment and there is little clay (<1%) in the bed sediments. Channel abandonment was initiated by a series of unit bars that stalled and progressively blocked the anabranch entrance, together with dune deposition and stacking at the anabranch entrance and exit. Complete channel abandonment and subsequent fill of up to 3 m of sediment took approximately two years. Thirteen kilometres of ground-penetrating radar surveys, coupled with 18 cores, were obtained over the channel fill and an adjacent 750 m long, 400 m wide, compound bar, enabling a quantitative analysis of the channel and bar deposits. Results show that, in terms of grain-size trends, facies proportions and scale of deposits, there are only subtle differences between the channel fill and bar deposits which, therefore, renders them indistinguishable. Thus, it may be inappropriate to assign different geometric and sedimentological attributes to channel fill and bar facies in object-based models of sandy braided river alluvial architecture.

Deposits of the sandy braided South Saskatchewan River: Implications for the use of modern analogs in reconstructing channel dimensions in reservoir characterization

Estimation of the dimensions of fluvial geobodies from core data is a notoriously difficult problem in reservoir modeling. To try and improve such estimates and, hence, reduce uncertainty in geomodels, data on dunes, unit bars, cross-bar channels, and compound bars and their associated deposits are presented herein from the sand-bed braided South Saskatchewan River, Canada. These data are used to test models that relate the scale of the formative bed forms to the dimensions of the preserved deposits and, therefore, provide an insight as to how such deposits may be preserved over geologic time. The preservation of bed-form geometry is quantified by comparing the Alluvial architecture above and below the maximum erosion depth of the modem channel deposits. This comparison shows that there is no significant difference in the mean set thickness of dune cross-strata above and below the basal erosion surface of the contemporary channel, thus suggesting that dimensional relationships between dune deposits and the formative bed-form dimensions are likely to be valid from both recent and older deposits. The data show that estimates of mean bankfull flow depth derived from dune, unit bar, and cross-bar channel deposits are all very similar. Thus, the use of all these metrics together can provide a useful check that all components and scales of the alluvial architecture have been identified correctly when building reservoir models. The data also highlight several practical issues with identifying and applying data relating to cross-strata. For example, the deposits of unit bars were found to be severely truncated in length and width, with only approximately 10% of the mean bar-form length remaining, and thus making identification in section difficult. For similar reasons, the deposits of compound bars were found to be especially difficult to recognize, and hence, estimates of channel depth based on this method may be problematic. Where only core data are available (i.e., no outcrop data exist), formative flow depths are suggested to be best reconstructed using cross-strata formed by dunes. However, theoretical relationships between the distribution of set thicknesses and formative dune height are found to result in slight overestimates of the latter and, hence, mean bankfull flow depths derived from these measurements. This article illustrates that the preservation of fluvial cross-strata and, thus, the paleohydraulic inferences that can be drawn from them, are a function of the ratio of the size and migration rate of bed forms and the time scale of aggradation and channel migration. These factors must thus be considered when deciding on appropriate length:thickness ratios for the purposes of object-based modeling in reservoir characterization.

Reconstruction of 3D Planar Objects with Partial Occlusion

Kolmiulotteisten kappaleiden rekonstruktio on yksi konen����n haastavimmista ongelmista, koska kappaleiden kolmiulotteisia et��isyyksi�� ei voida selvitt���� yhdest�� kaksiulotteisesta kuvasta. Ongelma voidaan ratkaista stereon����n avulla, jossa n��kym��n kolmiulotteinen rakenne p����tell����n usean kuvan perusteella. T��m�� l��hestymistapa mahdollistaa kuitenkin vain rekonstruktion niille kappaleiden osille, jotka n��kyv��t v��hint����n kahdessa kuvassa. Piilossa olevien osien rekonstruktio ei ole mahdollista pelk��st����n stereon����n avulla. T��ss�� ty��ss�� on kehitetty uusi menetelm�� osittain piilossa olevien kolmiulotteisten tasomaisten kappaleiden rekonstruktioon. Menetelm��n avulla voidaan selvitt���� hyv��ll�� tarkkuudella tasomaisista pinnoista koostuvan kappaleen muoto ja paikka k��ytt��en kahta kuvaa kappaleesta. Menetelm�� perustuu epipolaarigeometriaan, jonka avulla selvitet����n molemmissa kuvissa n��kyv��t kappaleiden osat. Osittain piilossa olevien piirteiden rekonstruointi suoritetaan k��ytt��m��en stereon��k���� sek�� tietoa kappaleen rakenteesta. Esitetty�� ratkaisua voitaisiin k��ytt���� esimerkiksi kolmiulotteisten kappaleiden visualisointiin, robotin navigointiin tai esineentunnistukseen.

Julkisten kansallisten palveluhankintojen tarjouspyynt��jen laatimisen ongelmakohdat

Viime vuosien aikana palveluhankintojen suhteellinen osuus kaikista toteutetuista julkisista hankinnoista on kasvanut Suomessa huomattavasti. Samalla markkinaoikeudessa on k��sitelty vuosittain suuri m����r�� erilaisiin julkisiin hankinta-asioihin liittyvi�� valituksia. Merkitt��v�� valitusten m����r�� on seurausta siit��, ett�� julkisissa hankintaprosesseissa tehd����n paljon virheit��. Tarjouspyynn��n laatiminen on t��rke�� hankintaprosessin vaihe, johon hankintayksik��iss�� tulisi kalliit markkinaoikeusk��sittelyt v��ltt����kseen riitt��v��sti panostaa. T��m��n tutkielman tavoitteena oli selvitt����, mitk�� asiat palveluhankintojen tarjouspyynt��jen laatimisessa tuottavat hankintayksik��ille ongelmia. Lis��ksi tarkoituksena oli pohtia sek�� itse palvelun hankkijaan ett�� julkisten hankintojen lains����d��nt����n liittyvi�� tekij��it��, joista ongelmat palveluhankintojen tarjouspyynt��jen laatimisessa mahdollisesti johtuvat. Tutkimuksessa tutkimuskohteena olivat 24 markkinaoikeuden vuosina 2012���2014 antamaa hankinta-asioiden ratkaisua, ja tutkimus toteutettiin kvalitatiivisena tutkimuksena tutkimusaineistoa kategorisoimalla ja yhdenmukaistamalla. Tutkielmassa havaittiin, ett�� merkitt��vin kompastuskivi kansallisten palveluhankintojen tarjouspyynt��jen laatimisessa on tarjouksen vertailuperusteiden asettaminen. Erityisesti laadun vertailuperusteiden tulkinnanvarainen ja ep��selv�� esitt��minen oli yleist��, ja lis��ksi merkitt��v�� m����r�� virheit�� tehtiin sekoittamalla tarjoajan soveltuvuusvaatimukset vertailuperusteisiin. Joitakin virheit�� tehtiin my��s vertailuperusteiden t��rkeysj��rjestyksen ja suhteellisen painotuksen asettamisessa sek�� hankinnan kohteen m����rittelyss��. Tutkimustulosten perusteella p����teltiin, ett�� kansallisten palveluhankintojen tarjouspyynt��jen laatimisen ongelmissa on suurimmassa osin kyse hankintayksik��n v��h��isist�� resursseista ja siten heikosta hankintojen suunnittelusta sek�� hankintayksik��iden ammattitaidon ja kokemuksen puutteista. Lis��ksi joitakin esiintyneit�� virheit�� voidaan ainakin jossain m����rin perustella hankintalains����d��nn��n monimutkaisuudella ja tulkinnanvaraisuudella.

Effets d���un dispositif de formation exploitant des vid��os d���exemples de pratiques sur le d��veloppement d���une comp��tence professionnelle chez des enseignants du primaire

Cette recherche avait pour objectif d�����valuer l���effet du dispositif de formation �� Zoom sur l���expertise p��dagogique ��, ou, plus pr��cis��ment, d�����valuer l���effet d���un parcours de formation cr���� gr��ce �� ce dispositif et int��grant des exemples de pratiques sur vid��o sur les apprentissages et les intentions de changement de pratique d���un groupe d���enseignants du primaire relativement �� la comp��tence professionnelle �� Piloter des situations d���enseignement-apprentissage ��. La r��forme des programmes scolaires, qui s���installe progressivement depuis 2001, modifie consid��rablement les orientations en mati��re d���apprentissage et d���enseignement. Sa r��ussite repose notamment sur l���appropriation de nouvelles comp��tences professionnelles souvent difficiles �� d��velopper pour le personnel enseignant. �� ces besoins de formation, les modalit��s de formation continue propos��es ne semblaient r��pondre que partiellement. Le dispositif a ��t�� d��velopp�� dans le but de soutenir le personnel enseignant dans l���appropriation de ce renouveau p��dagogique et propose de nouvelles strat��gies de formation bas��es principalement sur l���observation et l���analyse d���exemples de pratiques sur vid��o et enrichis de divers outils stimulant la r��flexion sur la pratique. Sa conception s���inscrit dans un contexte d�����mergence d���initiatives similaires. N��anmoins, beaucoup de questions restaient en suspens quant aux effets r��els de ces dispositifs sur le d��veloppement professionnel des enseignants. Afin de r��aliser une ��valuation de ce dispositif, nous avons cr���� un parcours de formation que six enseignants ont r��alis��. Ces personnes ont ensuite particip�� �� deux entrevues semi-dirig��es et ont partag�� les notes prises durant la formation. Un cadre th��orique a ��t�� d��velopp��, permettant de d��gager trois questions de recherche : �� Quels ont ��t�� les effets du dispositif de formation sur les savoirs relatifs aux composantes de la comp��tence cibl��e ? �� ; �� Quels ont ��t�� les effets du dispositif de formation sur les intentions de changement de pratique des enseignants ? �� ; �� Comment am��liorer le dispositif pour mieux soutenir le d��veloppement professionnel des enseignants ? ��. Ce cadre a par la suite guid�� l���analyse et l���interpr��tation des donn��es recueillies. Une quantit�� substantielle d���informations a ��t�� obtenue permettant de mieux comprendre et documenter le r��le d���un tel dispositif de formation en ligne et des vid��os qui le composent. Nous avons pu confirmer leur effet positif sur le d��veloppement professionnel. Nous retenons notamment que les enseignants sont en mesure de mieux d��finir les composantes de la comp��tence cibl��e par la formation, ils ont confirm�� leur sentiment d���avoir appris, ils ont tous exprim�� l'intention d���apporter des changements dans leur pratique. Tous ont grandement appr��ci�� le parcours et ses vid��os, notamment la possibilit�� qu���elles leur offraient de s���identifier �� des pairs et d���envisager des pistes de mise en application plus concr��tes de leurs nouvelles connaissances. Par ailleurs, les commentaires et les suggestions des participants ont permis de d��gager des pistes d���am��lioration telles que la diminution de la quantit�� de vid��os, du nombre d�����l��ments de comp��tence pr��sent��s, ou l���augmentation de compl��ments p��dagogiques accompagnant les vid��os. Ces pistes devraient toutefois ��tre pr��cis��es et ��tudi��es ce qui g��n��re de nouvelles questions de recherches.

E��valuation des jeux Kinect a�� l���aide du suivi physiologique, du suivi oculaire et des re��actions faciales du joueur.

Les donn��es sont analys��es par le logiciel con��u par Fran��ois Courtemanche et F��thi Guerdelli. L'exp��rimentation des jeux a eu lieu au Laboratoire de recherche en communication multim��dia de l'Universit�� de Montr��al.

Basic laser printing WSA (Mac)

Video on how to print to a Ricoh laser printer at WSA from a Mac, applies University wide just don't print WSA Colour or WSA Black & White if you are not WSA based.

A new method for evaluating regional air quality forecasts

A Kriging interpolation method is combined with an object-based evaluation measure to assess the ability of the UK Met Office's dispersion and weather prediction models to predict the evolution of a plume of tracer as it was transported across Europe. The object-based evaluation method, SAL, considers aspects of the Structure, Amplitude and Location of the pollutant field. The SAL method is able to quantify errors in the predicted size and shape of the pollutant plume, through the structure component, the over- or under-prediction of the pollutant concentrations, through the amplitude component, and the position of the pollutant plume, through the location component. The quantitative results of the SAL evaluation are similar for both models and close to a subjective visual inspection of the predictions. A negative structure component for both models, throughout the entire 60 hour plume dispersion simulation, indicates that the modelled plumes are too small and/or too peaked compared to the observed plume at all times. The amplitude component for both models is strongly positive at the start of the simulation, indicating that surface concentrations are over-predicted by both models for the first 24 hours, but modelled concentrations are within a factor of 2 of the observations at later times. Finally, for both models, the location component is small for the first 48 hours after the start of the tracer release, indicating that the modelled plumes are situated close to the observed plume early on in the simulation, but this plume location error grows at later times. The SAL methodology has also been used to identify differences in the transport of pollution in the dispersion and weather prediction models. The convection scheme in the weather prediction model is found to transport more pollution vertically out of the boundary layer into the free troposphere than the dispersion model convection scheme resulting in lower pollutant concentrations near the surface and hence a better forecast for this case study.

Building a tropical-extratropical cloud band metbot

An automated cloud band identification procedure is developed that captures the meteorology of such events over southern Africa. This ���metbot��� is built upon a connected component labelling method that enables blob detection in various atmospheric fields. Outgoing longwave radiation is used to flag candidate cloud band days by thresholding the data and requiring detected blobs to have sufficient latitudinal extent and exhibit positive tilt. The Laplacian operator is used on gridded reanalysis variables to highlight other features of meteorological interest. The ability of this methodology to capture the significant meteorology and rainfall of these synoptic systems is tested in a case study. Usefulness of the metbot in understanding event to event similarities of meteorological features is demonstrated, highlighting features previous studies have noted as key ingredients to cloud band development in the region. Moreover, this allows the presentation of a composite cloud band life cycle for southern Africa events. The potential of metbot to study multiscale interactions is discussed, emphasising its key strength: the ability to retain details of extreme and infrequent events. It automatically builds a database that is ideal for research questions focused on the influence of intraseasonal to interannual variability processes on synoptic events. Application of the method to convergence zone studies and atmospheric river descriptions is suggested. In conclusion, a relation-building metbot can retain details that are often lost with object-based methods but are crucial in case studies. Capturing and summarising these details may be necessary to develop deeper process-level understanding of multiscale interactions.