A 3D approach to reconstruct continuous optical images using lidar and MODIS

Background: Monitoring forest health and biomass for changes over time in the global environment requires the provision of continuous satellite images. However, optical images of land surfaces are generally contaminated when clouds are present or rain occurs.Methods: To estimate the actual reflectance of land surfaces masked by clouds and potential rain, 3D simulations by the RAPID radiative transfer model were proposed and conducted on a forest farm dominated by birch and larch in Genhe City, Da Xing’An Ling Mountain in Inner Mongolia, China. The canopy height model(CHM) from lidar data were used to extract individual tree structures(location, height, crown width). Field measurements related tree height to diameter of breast height(DBH), lowest branch height and leaf area index(LAI). Series of Landsat images were used to classify tree species and land cover. MODIS LAI products were used to estimate the LAI of individual trees. Combining all these input variables to drive RAPID, high-resolution optical remote sensing images were simulated and validated with available satellite images.Results: Evaluations on spatial texture, spectral values and directional reflectance were conducted to show comparable results.Conclusions: The study provides a proof-of-concept approach to link lidar and MODIS data in the parameterization of RAPID models for high temporal and spatial resolutions of image reconstruction in forest dominated areas.

Mindfulness-based online intervention on mental health and quality of life among COVID-19 patients in China: an intervention design

Background:COVID-19 can lead to increased psychological symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD),depression,and anxiety among patients with COVID-19.Based on the previous mindfulness-based interventions proved to be effective,this protocol reports a design of a randomized controlled trial aiming to explore the efficacy and possible mechanism of a mindful living with challenge(MLWC)intervention developed for COVID-19 survivors in alleviating their psychological problems caused by both the disease and the pandemic.Methods:In April 2021,more than 1600 eligible participants from Hubei Province of China will be assigned 1:1 to an online MLWC intervention group or a waitlist control group.All participants will be asked to complete online questionnaires at baseline,post-program,and 3-month follow-up.The differences of mental health status(e.g.PTSD)and physical symptoms including fatigue and sleeplessness between the COVID-19 survivors who receiving the online MLWC intervention and the control group will be assessed.In addition,the possible mediators and moderators of the link between the MLWC intervention and target outcomes will be evaluated by related verified scales,such as the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire.Data will be analyzed based on an intention-to-t「eat approach,and SPSS software will be used to perform statistical analysis.Discussion:The efficacy and potential mechanism of MLWC intervention in improving the quality of life and psychological status of COVID-19 survivors in China are expected to be reported.Findings from this study will shed light on a novel and feasible model in improving the psychological well-being of people during such public health emergencies.Trial registration Chinese ClinicalTrial Registry(ChiCTR),ChiCTR2000037524;Registered on August 29,2020,http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=60034.