A Comprehensive Evaluation of PAN-Sharpening Algorithms Coupled with Resampling Methods for Image Synthesis of Very High Resolution Remotely Sensed Satellite Data

The merging of a panchromatic (PAN) image with a multispectral satellite image (MSI) to increase the spatial resolution of the MSI, while simultaneously preserving its spectral information is classically referred as PAN-sharpening. We employed a recent dataset derived from very high resolution of WorldView-2 satellite (PAN and MSI) for two test sites (one over an urban area and the other over Antarctica), to comprehensively evaluate the performance of six existing PAN-sharpening algorithms. The algorithms under consideration were the Gram-Schmidt (GS), Ehlers fusion (EF), modified hue-intensity-saturation (Mod-HIS), high pass filtering (HPF), the Brovey transform (BT), and wavelet-based principal component analysis (W-PC). Quality assessment of the sharpened images was carried out by using 20 quality indices. We also analyzed the performance of nearest neighbour (NN), bilinear interpolation (BI), and cubic convolution (CC) resampling methods to test their practicability in the PAN-sharpening process. Our results indicate that the comprehensive performance of PAN-sharpening methods decreased in the following order: GS > W-PC > EF > HPF > Mod-HIS > BT, while resampling methods followed the order: NN > BI > CC.

A morphology-stitching method to improve Landsat SLC-off images with stripes

Stripes are artifacts in satellite images caused by various factors such as hardware defects. In some cases, these artifacts are introduced by some mitigating algorithms like Landsat SLC-off （Scan Line Corrector） gap-filling methods of LLHM （Local Linear Histogram Matching） and AWLHM （Adaptive Window Linear Histogram Matching）, which leave stripes as a byproduct. To improve Landsat SLC-off images with stripes,we propose an algorithm involving some hypothetical stripe-crossing stitch lines using the mean pixel value of the stitch lines.

Assessment and Mapping of Groundwater Vulnerability Using SAR Concentrations and GIS: A Case Study in Al-Mafraq, Jordan

Groundwater is the main source of water supply in Jordan. Due to lower precipitation rates in recent years, the surface water is increasingly limited. Research on groundwater vulnerability helps protect this main source of water supply and assists in the development of plans to confront the deterioration and contamination of aquifers from wastewater and agricultural activities in order to protect groundwater for future generations. The important factors to determine groundwater vulnerability are environmental conditions;hence the spatial conditions in arid to semi-arid areas must be taken into account when applying different models. The aquifer vulnerability has been assessed in Jordan by using the DRASTIC method;remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) data were used to derive and process data. The DRASTIC index was used with seven parameters to describe physical characteristics of the aquifers. It is concluded that about 34% of the area was considered to be of moderate vulnerability, but the share increased to 60% after modifying the index. While high vulnerability was at 25% of the total area, it decreased to 6.3% with the modified index;therefore, urgent pollution prevention measures should be taken for every kind of relevant activity within the whole basin.

SERS devices with "hedgehog-like" nanosphere arrays for detection of trace pesticides

The development of surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)devices for detection of trace pesticides has attracted more and more attention.In this work,a large-area self-assembly ap-proach assisted with reactive ion etching(RIE)is proposed for preparing SERS devices consisting of Ag-covered"hedgehog-like"nanosphere arrays(Ag/HLNAs).Such a SERS device has an enhancement factor of 2.79×107,a limit of detection(LOD)up to 10-12 M for Rhodamine 6G(R6G)analytes,and a relative standard deviation(RSD)smaller than 10%,demonstrating high uniformity.Besides,for pesticide detections,the device achieves an LOD of 10-s M for thiram molecules.It indicates that the proposed SERS device has a promising opportunity in detecting toxic organic pesticides.

The Estimation of Soil Organic Matter Variation in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Using Remote Sensing Data

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important term to realize soil productivity and quality that is extremely influential on soil physical, chemical and biological processes;SOM is one of the key soil properties controlling nutrient budgets in agricultural production systems and is an important index of soil productivity. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were used to assess organic matter in soil and determine the relationship between measures SOM in field and digital data to calculate or obtain the correlation coefficients applied to evaluate the strength and direction of the linear relationships. In this study Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and Bare Soil Index (BSI) were used. The results show that the relationship between vegetation indices (NDVI, SAVI) and SOM in whole study area was (R2 = 0.19, p 2 = 0.01, p 2 = 0.13, p 2 = 0.11, p < 0.05), soil organic carbon increases with increasing NDVI and decreasing BSI. NDVI, SAVI and BSI were considered a useful index to detect the spatial distribution of SOM concentrations and mapping using remote sensing data.

Integrating Lithostratigraphic Units and GIS-Analysis Techniques to Modified Surface Water Quality Index

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of using Bicarbonate and Calcium parameters as alternatives to the lithostratigraphic units covered the catchment area, on water quality index (WQI) values that have been implemented with GIS technique at Wadi Al-Arab Dam. The analyzed results (by WQI method) have been used to depict water quality for the two approaches. Based on physico-chemical parameters, the calculated values for WQI over the 3-year for study period were 169, 168, and 157, respectively. While the WQI values were 184, 183 and 172, respectively, as a result of incorporated Bicarbonate and Calcium parameters in WQI calculations that significantly contributed to increasing the WQI. The elevated values may be attributed to the influence of carbonate stone dissolution and mechanical erosion under weathering conditions that are prevalent during winter season in the catchment area. As a consequence of lithostratigraphic unites product and GIS technique integration and normalization processes, most of water quality ranks are good and only autumn season has poor water quality in the 2012 and 2013, while in 2014 it has good water quality in the same season. The WQI values increase in general trend from winter to autumn seasons during the study period that may be referred to outflow by daily consumption, evaporation rising, and seepage water. The analysis shows that the modified water quality values of the Wadi Al-Arab Dam Reservoir (WADR) vary after using Bicarbonate and Calcium parameters by constant value. Generally, the results signify that the WADR is not polluted based on the physical and chemical characteristics of water.

A GIS Integrated Water Quality Model System Based on SWMM,ECOM,and RCA

Water Quality Model System( WQMS) is an important approach to analyzing aquatic situation and supporting environmental decision. However,the usage and promotion of WQMS is largely limited by amounts of parameters,complex conditions and enormous operations. A GIS integrated system of urban water environment coupled with SWMM( storm runoff model),ECOM( hydrodynamic model) and RCA( water quality model) was constructed in this study,with the production and transformation of contaminants in large scale taken into consideration. This integrated system guaranteed an independent calculation and multi-model coupling calculation,including convenient pre-processing,fast and efficient model running and results visualization in different spatial and temporal scales,in the purpose of simplifying the usage and promotion of complex models and providing necessary understanding required in water resource managing and water pollution controlling,and ultimately improving decision making capability. The functionality of the proposed system was illustrated by a case of Wuhan city.

Select indicators and prioritize solutions for desertification and drought in Binh Thuan,Vietnam

The link between climate change and desertification is an important global problem for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD).The coastal provinces in Southern Centre Vietnam are strongly influenced by desertification,which is further exacerbated by climate change.The Delphi method was used to select sustainability indicators and then a method of an analytical hierarchy process was applied to prioritize sustainable solutions in Binh Thuan experts to elicit the causes and effects of desertification.According to the panel of 23 experts,27 cause(e.g.rainfall and sunshine duration) and 22 effect(e.g.rice and agriculture) indicators were of particular importance to desertification and drought in the province.The highest priorities for cause are given to emigration,followed by income from industry and water supply for household use.The highest priorities for effect in the area are given to socioeconomic criteria,and in particular to the sub-criteria resettlement due to development projects,building hydropower reservoirs,and implementing irrigation schemes.The system of indicators provides useful information for the future studies.This study provides a means to uncover the most important criteria perceived as major contributors to desertification and as such enables policy-makers to prioritize solutions for Binh Thuan(Vietnam) by 2015 and a vision in 2020.

K-and Si-Metasomatism, Mineral Transformation and Formation of Granitoids f rom Basic Rocks in Qooshchi Area,NW Iran:A Mineralogical Context

The Qooshchi area lies to northwest of Orumieh Lake in western Azerb ai jan, NW Iran. A basement metamorphic complex, consisting of Precambrian schists and gneisses, has been intruded by gabbros and diorites. Granitoids are grouped into five suites according to their mineralogy, texture and exposed features. Th e main body, pink Qooshchi granite, and apophyse like, myrmekite bearing grani toids are discussed in this paper. On the basis of field observations and micros copic studies, an intensive metasomatism has overprinted the country rocks, espe cially gabbros, transforming them into a more felsic composition. A prior ev ent of intensive deformation and cataclasis preceded the metasomatism, allowing the introduction of hydrothermal fluids. K metasomatism converted plagioclase i nto K feldspar (microcline), myrmekite, and sodic plagioclase as Si metasomati sm replaced the ferromagnesian silicates by quartz. Apophyse like bodies within gabbros, called leucometasomatites, are formed during this process.

Analyzing the Relationship between Urban Patterns and Land Surface Temperature Using WorldView-2 and Landsat-ETM＋

Global climate destabilization as a result of the increased urbanization is one of today＇s most urgent issues. The detected urban heat island phenomenon in urbanized areas, combined with the decreased vegetation and the anthropogenic heat discharge, is an example of this climate change and in order to take proper actions to reduce this effect, the urban environmental analysis is more than necessary. This paper aims at analyzing and exploring the relationship between land uses of a densely populated urban area with the LST （land surface temperature） combining with WorldView-2 and Landsat ETM＋ satellite imagery. The available thermal band of the Landsat image is used to extract surface temperatures of the study area on a hot summer day. Continuously, the high resolution satellite image of WorldView-2 is used for extracting the land uses. Zonal statistics were applied highlighting the zones with high and low average temperatures. Additional statistical tests （correlation analysis, analysis of variance-ANOVA, etc.） were applied, for evaluating the interaction between the temperature results with the land use types.

Photogrammetry - Remote Sensing on the Study of Monuments and Historical Centers： The Effect of Hazards -The Case of Delphi Historical Center

Monuments and historical centers, because of their particular importance, are studied in multiple ways. The study concerns different scientific disciplines and technology. Photogrammetry and remote sensing contribute essentially to this study, because of the valuable qualitative and quantitative information they offer. In this paper we search through the possibilities of very high resolution satellite imagery on historical centers study, referring to Delphi historical center. The study concerns image enhancement techniques and visual interpretation of Ikonos satellite imagery. Image enhancement techniques facilitate visual interpretation, detection and recognition, of the physiognomy and spatial arrangement of Delphi historical center and offer information about physical and architectural features in the wide area of the historical center.

Background and Research Prospect of Geo-ecological Survey and Monitor in the Critical Zone of Black Soil

The American Science journal,on the occasion of its 125 publication anniversary,in 2016,released 125 of the most challenging scientific issues(Kennedy et al.,2005)to the world.According to the basics,breadth and the influence,25 of the issues which considered to be the most important were screened,including"How many people can the Earth carry?"(Stokstad,2005;Dailyg et al.,1992;Cohen,1995)and"How high will the greenhouse effect make the earth temperature?

Detecting and Distinguishing Ophiolite Rocks via Multispectral Remote Sensing in Bi’r Umq, Southeast Al Madinah Al Munawarrah, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this work is to show the contribution of multispectral remote sensing data to detect and distinguish the ophiolite rocks of Bi’r Umq and their geologic setting, southeast of Al Madinah Al Munawarrah in Saudi Arabia. This work includes detailed fieldwork lab studies, as well as processing operations, were performed on The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER 2006, 2007) and Satellite Pour L’Observation de la Terre SPOT 5 (2005) images of the study region. Among the processing techniques applied are band ratio, histogram stretching, the combination of spectral bands, image fusion. The techniques used permitted a clearly show that the ultramafic rocks are distinct from other rock units and contain important economic minerals. This research also illustrates the tectonic parameters and that the remains of the oceanic crust are exposed and juxtaposed to the rocks of the continental crust of the Arabian Shield. The results of the spatial data processing revealed a good positive concordance with the results of the field investigations.

Global Impact and Balancing Act:Deciphering the Effect of Fluorination on B 1s Binding Energies in Fluorinated h‑BN Nanosheets

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)is an important characterization tool in the pursuit of controllable fluorination of two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride(h-BN).However,there is a lack of clear spectral interpretation,and seemingly conflicting measurements exist.To discern the structure−spectroscopy relation,we performed a comprehensive first-principles study on the boron 1s edge XPS of fluorinated h-BN(F-BN)nanosheets.By gradually introducing 1−6 fluorine atoms into different boron or nitrogen sites,we created various F-BN structures with doping ratios ranging from 1 to 6%.Our calculations reveal that fluorines landed at boron or nitrogen sites exert competitive effects on the B 1s binding energies(BEs),leading to red or blue shifts in different measurements.Our calculations affirmed the hypothesis that fluorination affects 1s BEs of all borons in theπ-conjugated system,opposing the transferability from h-BN to F-BN.Additionally,we observe that BE generally increases with higher fluorine concentration when both borons and nitrogens are nonexclusively fluorinated.These findings provide critical insights into how fluorination affects boron’s 1s BEs,contributing to a better understanding of fluorination functionalization processes in h-BN and its potential applications in materials science.

Wettability adjustment to enhance mass transfer for heterogeneous electrocatalysis and photocatalysis

This review describes recent advances in wettability adjustment to improve the main green energy conversion and storage systems,i.e.,photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.Because both are redox reactions involving electron behavior,they follow a similar pattern in the surface reaction step,which is related to wettability adjustment.Thus,we consider photocatalysis and electrocatalysis together in terms of mass transfer adjustment based on commonalities,aiming to understand the fundamentals more deeply and bring greater mutual inspiration to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.The theoretical basis is first laid out,and then various strategies are introduced.Subsequently,according to the different requirements of mass transfer,we classify the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic reactions into gas consumption reactions preferring hydrophobic surfaces,and gas evolution reactions preferring hydrophilic surfaces.Pollutant degradation reactions involving different water-soluble substrates are also mentioned.Further,we introduce the specific optimization effect of wettability regulation on the reaction,and the mechanism behind the effect.This comprehensive and insightful review will provide a strategic guide to the reasonable design and development of wettability-optimized photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems.

Deforestation in Latin America in the 2000s predominantly occurred outside of typical mature forests

The role of tropical forests in the global carbon budget remains controversial,as carbon emissions from deforestation are highly uncertain.This high uncertainty arises from the use of either fixed forest carbon stock density or maps generated from satellite-based optical reflectance with limited sensitivity to biomass to generate accurate estimates of emissions from deforestation.New space missions aiming to accurately map the carbon stock density rely on direct measurements of the spatial structures of forests using lidar and radar.We found that lost forests are special cases,and their spatial structures can be directly measured by combining archived data acquired before and after deforestation by space missions principally aimed at measuring topography.Thus,using biomass mapping,we obtained new estimates of carbon loss from deforestation ahead of forthcoming space missions.Here,using a high-resolution map of forest loss and the synergy of radar and lidar to estimate the aboveground biomass density of forests,we found that deforestation in the 2000s in Latin America,one of the severely deforested regions,mainly occurred in forests with a significantly lower carbon stock density than typical mature forests.

Conical Intersection versus Avoided Crossing:Geometric Phase Effect in Molecular High-Order Harmonics

Nonadiabatic dynamics around an avoided crossing or a conical intersection play a crucial role in the photoinduced processes of most polyatomic molecules.The present work shows that the topological phase in conical intersection makes the behavior of pump-probe high-order harmonic signals different from the case of avoided crossing.The coherence built up when the system crosses the avoided crossing will lead to the oscillatory behavior of the spectrum,while the geometric phase erodes these oscillations in the case of conical intersection.Additionally,the dynamical blueshift and the splitting of the time-resolved spectrum allow capturing the snapshot dynamics with the sub-femtosecond resolution.

Towards understanding the environmental and climatic changes and its contribution to the spread of wildfires in Ghana using remote sensing tools and machine learning (Google Earth Engine)

Data processing and climate characterisation to study its impact is becoming difficult due to insufficient and unavailable data,especially in developing countries.Understanding climate’s impact on burnt areas in Ghana(Guinea-savannah(GSZ)and Forest-savannah Mosaic zones(FSZ))leads us to opt for machine learning.Through Google Earth Engine(GEE),rainfall(PR),maximum temperature(Tmax),minimum temperature(Tmin),average temperature(Tmean),Palmer Drought Severity Index(PDSI),relative humidity(RH),wind speed(WS),soil moisture(SM),actual evapotranspiration(ETA)and reference evapotranspiration(ETR)have been acquired through CHIRPS(Climate Hazards group Infrared Precipitation with Stations),FLDAS dataset(Famine Early Warning Systems Network(FEWS NET)Land Data Assimilation System)and TerraClimate platform from 1991 to 2021.The objective is to analyse the link and the contribution of climatic and environmental parameters on wildfire spread in GSZ and FSZ in Ghana.Variables were analysed(area burnt and the number of activefires)through Spearman correlation and the cross-correlation function(CCF)(2001 to 2021).The tests(Mann-Kendall and Sens’s slope trend test,Pettitt test and the Lee and Heghinian test)showed the overall decrease in rainfall and increase in temperature respectively(-0.1 mm;+0.8℃)in GSZ and(-0.9 mm;+0.3℃)in FSZ.In terms of impact,PR,ETR,FDI,Tmean,Tmax,Tmin,RH,ETA and SM contribute tofire spread.Through the codes developed,researchers and decision-makers could update them at different times easily to monitor climate variability and its impact onfires.

直方图尺度效应研究

为能简洁地描述数字图像所反映的地物空间关系,在分析变差图等空间分析手段的特点及其不足的基础上,提出了直方变差图的概念,并通过定义驻点和边界点,提出了分析地物空间分布规律的直方变差图分解方法.并通过利用直方变差图进行空间分析和图像融合两个实验对本方法的特点进行了分析。

单一太阳角BRDF数据反演过程中误差传播的估计

太阳光照角变化范围较小在星载多角度遥感数据集中是普遍存在的，以线性核 驱动模型的反演为例分析了用单一太阳角数据反演条件下误差传播的规律．指出在这种条件下反演ＢＲＤＦ随太阳角变化的趋势是不可靠的，因此用单一太阳角数据拟合二 向反射率的外延能力作为模型检验标准是不合理的．作为解决的方法，建议在反演中 对反照率随太阳天顶角的变化趋势加一定的限制条件．