A general model for modifying Stokes’ formula and its least-squares solution

Today the combination of Stokes formula and an Earth gravity model (EGM) for geoid determination is a standard procedure. However, the method of modifying Stokes formula varies from author to author, and numerous methods of modification exist. Most methods modify Stokes kernel, but the most widely applied method, the remove compute restore technique, removes the EGM from the gravity anomaly to attain a residual gravity anomaly under Stokes integral, and at least one known method modifies both Stokes kernel and the gravity anomaly. A general model for modifying Stokes formula is presented; it includes most of the well-known techniques of modification as special cases. By assuming that the error spectra of the gravity anomalies and the EGM are known, the optimum model of modification is derived based on the least-squares principle. This solution minimizes the expected mean square error (MSE) of all possible solutions of the general geoid model. A practical formula for estimating the MSE is also presented. The power of the optimum method is demonstrated in two special cases. AcknowledgementsThis paper was partly written whilst the author was a visiting scientist at The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He is indebted to Professor W. Kearsley and his colleagues, and their hospitality is acknowledged.     

Interannual variability of low-degree gravitational change, 1980–2002

Time variations in the Earths gravity field at periods longer than 1 year, for degree-two spherical harmonics, C₂₁, S₂₁, and C₂₀, are estimated from accurately measured Earth rotational variations. These are compared with predictions of atmospheric, oceanic, and hydrologic models, and with independent satellite laser ranging (SLR) results. There is remarkably good agreement between Earth rotation and model predictions of C₂₁ and S₂₁ over a 22-year period. After decadal signals are removed, Earth-rotation-derived interannual C₂₀ variations are dominated by a strong oscillation of period about 5.6 years, probably due to uncertainties in wind and ocean current estimates. The model-predicted C₂₀ agrees reasonably well with SLR observations during the 22-year period, with the exception of the recent anomaly since 1997/1998.     

On the separation of gravitation and inertia and the determination of the relativistic gravity field in the case of free motion

Summary The authors explored the possibility of separating gravitation from inertia in the frame of general relativity. The Riemann tensor is intimately related with gravitational fields and has nothing to do with inertial effects. One can judge the existence or nonexistence of a gravitational field according as the Riemann tensor does not vanish or vanishes. In the free fall case, by using a gradiometer on a satellite, gravitational effects can be separated from inertia completely. Furthermore, the authors put forward a general method of determining the relativistic gravity field by using gradiometers mounted on satellites. At the same time the following two statements are proved: in the case of using gradiometers on a satellite, with some kind of approximation the Riemann tensorR can be found; in the case of free motion, if the measured Riemannian componentsR _(i0j0) are equal to zero, the Riemann tensorR equals zero.     

Marine gravity surveying line system adjustment

The general theories and methods of marine surveying line system adjustment were introduced in (1979) and Tang (1991) . According to the characteristics of marine gravity measurement, this paper presents a new method of combined adjustment which takes into account both direct and indirect influence of position errors. The method is particularly suitable to be used in the post- processing of marine gravity observation data. With some practical applications, it is proved to be effective in improving the quality of marine gravity data.     

Theory of integer equivariant estimation with application to GNSS

Carrier phase ambiguity resolution is the key to high-precision global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning and navigation. It applies to a great variety of current and future models of GPS, modernized GPS and Galileo. The so-called fixed baseline estimator is known to be superior to its float counterpart in the sense that its probability of being close to the unknown but true baseline is larger than that of the float baseline, provided that the ambiguity success rate is sufficiently close to its maximum value of one. Although this is a strong result, the necessary condition on the success rate does not make it hold for all measurement scenarios. It is discussed whether or not it is possible to take advantage of the integer nature of the ambiguities so as to come up with a baseline estimator that is always superior to both its float and its fixed counterparts. It is shown that this is indeed possible, be it that the result comes at the price of having to use a weaker performance criterion. The main result of this work is a Gauss–Markov-like theorem which introduces a new minimum variance unbiased estimator that is always superior to the well-known best linear unbiased (BLU) estimator of the Gauss–Markov theorem. This result is made possible by introducing a new class of estimators. This class of integer equivariant estimators obeys the integer remove–restore principle and is shown to be larger than the class of integer estimators as well as larger than the class of linear unbiased estimators. The minimum variance unbiased estimator within this larger class is referred to as the best integer equivariant (BIE) estimator. The theory presented applies to any model of observation equations having both integer and real-valued parameters, as well as for any probability density function the data might have. AcknowledgementsThis contribution was finalized during the authors stay, as a Tan Chin Tuan Professor, at the Nanyang Technological Universitys GPS Centre (GPSC) in Singapore. The hospitality of the GPSCs director Prof Law Choi Look and his colleagues is greatly appreciated.     

Productivity convergence and spatial dependence among Spanish regions

This paper estimates the evolution of labor productivity disparities among 48 Spanish regions over 1980–1996 according to the concepts of - and -convergence. The results of -convergence emphasize the importance of including the impact of neighboring locations productivity and a disaggregate analysis at a sectoral level. In order to measure the narrowing of inequalities, we examine -convergence and reveal that convergence occurs in aggregate labor productivity but not in productivities per sector. The reason comes from a transfer of resources from agriculture towards more productive sectors that has been more pronounced in the poor regions than in the rich ones.The author would like to thank Julie Le Gallo, an anonymous referee, and the participants of the 50th North American Meetings of the RSAI and of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the WRSA for their valuable comments. This paper won the first place the 2004 Tiebout Prize competition, which was awarded at the WRSA meeting, Hawaii, USA, February 26–28.     

Geoid determination in central Spain from gravity and height data

Summary The least-squares collocation method has been used for the computation of a geoid solution in central Spain, combining a geopotential model complete to degree and order 360, gravity anomalies and topographic information. The area has been divided in two 1°× 1° blocks and predictions have been done in each block with gravity data spacing about 5 × 5 within each block, extended 1/2°. Topographic effects have been calculated from 6 × 9 heights using an RTM reduction with a reference terrain model of 30 × 30 mean heights.     

Geoid determination in Turkey (TG-91)

It is considered that precise geoid determination is one of the main current geodetic problems in Turkey since GPS defined coordinates require geoidal heights in practice. In order to determine the geoid by least squares collocation (LSC) the area covering Turkey was divided into 114 blocks of size 1° × 1°. LSC approximation to the geoid based upon the tailored geopotential model GPM2-T1 is constructed within each block. The model GPM2-T1 complete to degree and order 200 has been developed by tailoring of the model GPM2 to mean free-air anomalies and mean heights of one degree blocks in Turkey. Terrain effect reduced point gravity data spaced 5 × 5 within each block which the sides extended 0°.5 were used in LSC. Residual terrain model (RTM) depends on point heights at 15×20 griding and 5×5 and 15×15 mean heights has been carried out in terrain effect reduction. Indirect effect of RTM on geoid is also taken into account. The geoid, called Turkish Geoid 1991 (TG-91), referenced to GRS-80 ellipsoid has been computed at 3 × 3 griding nodes within each block. The quality of the TG-91 is also evaluated by comparing computed and GPS derived geoidal height differences, and 2.1 – 2.6 ppm accuracy for average baseline lenght of 45 km is obtained.     

Validation of ETOPO5U in the Hellenic area

Mean 5 × 5 heights and depths from ETOPO5U (Earth Topography at 5 spacing Updated) Digital Terrain Model (DTM) were compared with corresponding quantities of a local DTM in the test area [38° 40°, 21° 24°]. From this comparison a shift of ETOPO5U with respect to the local DTM in the longitudinal direction equal to 5 min was found after applying an efficient fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. Furthermore, sparse mean height differences larger than 1,000 m were observed between ETOPO5U and the local DTM due rather to errors of ETOPO5U. The effect of these errors on gravity and height anomalies was computed in a subregion of the area under consideration.     

The Stokes and Vening-Meinesz functionals in a moving tangent space

The regularized solution of the external sphericalStokes boundary value problem as being used for computations of geoid undulations and deflections of the vertical is based upon theGreen functions S ₁(₀, ₀, , ) ofBox 0.1 (R = R ₀) andV ₁(₀, ₀, , ) ofBox 0.2 (R = R ₀) which depend on theevaluation point {₀, ₀} S _R0 ² and thesampling point {, } S _R0 ² ofgravity anomalies (, ) with respect to a normal gravitational field of typegm/R (free air anomaly). If the evaluation point is taken as the meta-north pole of theStokes reference sphere S _R0 ² , theStokes function, and theVening-Meinesz function, respectively, takes the formS() ofBox 0.1, andV ₂() ofBox 0.2, respectively, as soon as we introduce {meta-longitude (azimuth), meta-colatitude (spherical distance)}, namely {A, } ofBox 0.5. In order to deriveStokes functions andVening-Meinesz functions as well as their integrals, theStokes andVening-Meinesz functionals, in aconvolutive form we map the sampling point {, } onto the tangent plane T₀S _R0 ² at {₀, ₀} by means ofoblique map projections of type(i) equidistant (Riemann polar/normal coordinates),(ii) conformal and(iii) equiareal.Box 2.1.–2.4. andBox 3.1.– 3.4. are collections of the rigorously transformedconvolutive Stokes functions andStokes integrals andconvolutive Vening-Meinesz functions andVening-Meinesz integrals. The graphs of the correspondingStokes functions S ₂(),S ₃(r),,S ₆(r) as well as the correspondingStokes-Helmert functions H ₂(),H ₃(r),,H ₆(r) are given byFigure 4.1–4.5. In contrast, the graphs ofFigure 4.6–4.10 illustrate the correspondingVening-Meinesz functions V ₂(),V ₃(r),,V ₆(r) as well as the correspondingVening-Meinesz-Helmert functions Q ₂(),Q ₃(r),,Q ₆(r). The difference between theStokes functions / Vening-Meinesz functions andtheir first term (only used in the Flat Fourier Transforms of type FAST and FASZ), namelyS ₂() – (sin /2)^–1,S ₃(r) – (sinr/2R ₀)^–1,,S ₆(r) – 2R ₀/r andV ₂() + (cos /2)/2(sin² /2),V ₃(r) + (cosr/2R ₀)/2(sin² r/2R ₀),, illustrate the systematic errors in theflat Stokes function 2/ or flatVening-Meinesz function –2/². The newly derivedStokes functions S ₃(r),,S ₆(r) ofBox 2.1–2.3, ofStokes integrals ofBox 2.4, as well asVening-Meinesz functionsV ₃(r),,V ₆(r) ofBox 3.1–3.3, ofVening-Meinesz integrals ofBox 3.4 — all of convolutive type — pave the way for the rigorousFast Fourier Transform and the rigorousWavelet Transform of theStokes integral / theVening-Meinesz integral of type equidistant, conformal and equiareal.     

On Helmert’s methods of condensation

Helmerts first and second method of condensation are reviewed and generalized in two respects: First, the point at which the effects of topographical and condensation masses are calculated may be situated on or outside the topographical surface; second, the depth of the condensation layer below the geoid is arbitrary. While the first extension permits the application of the generalized model to the evaluation of airborne and satellite data, the second one gives an additional degree of freedom which can be used to provide a smooth gravity field after reducing the observation data. The respective formulae are derived for the generalized condensation model in both planar and spherical approximation. A comparison of the planar and the spherical model shows some structural differences, which are primarily visible in the out-of-integral terms. Considering the respective formulae for the combined topographic–condensation reduction on the background of the density structure of the Earths lithosphere, the consequences for the residual gravity field are investigated; it is shown that the residual field after applying Helmerts second model of reduction is very rough, making this procedure unfavourable for downward continuation. Further considerations refer to the question of which sets of formulae should be used in geoid and quasigeoid determination. It is concluded that for high-precision applications the generalized spherical model, involving a depth of the condensation layer of between 20 and 30 km, should be superior to Helmerts second model of condensation, although it requires the direct calculation of the indirect effect, which is larger than in the case of Helmerts second method of condensation.     

A numerical investigation on height anomaly prediction in mountainous areas

This paper provides numerical examples for the prediction of height anomalies by the solution of Molodensky's boundary value problem. Computations are done within two areas in the Canadian Rockies. The data used are on a grid with various grid spacings from 100 m to 5 arc-minutes. Numerical results indicate that the Bouguer or the topographicisostatic gravity anomalies should be used in gravity interpolation. It is feasible to predict height anomalies in mountainous areas with an accuracy of 10 cm (1) if sufficiently dense data grids are used. After removing the systematic bias, the differences between the geoid undulations converted from height anomalies and those derived from GPS/levelling on 50 benchmarks is 12 cm (1) when the grid spacing is 1km, and 50 cm (1) when the grid spacing is 5. It is not necessary, in most cases, to require a grid spacing finer than 1 km, because the height anomaly changes only by 3 cm (1) when the grid spacing is increased from 100 m to 1000 m. Numerical results also indicate that, only the first two terms of the Molodensky series have to be evaluated in all but the extreme cases, since the contributions of the higher order terms are negligible compared to the objective accuracy.     

Horizontal strain and precision of EDM from repeated surveys of the Precise Geodetic Net of Japan

A simple statistical approach has been applied to the repeated electro-optical distance measurements (EDM) of 1,358 lines in the Tohoku district of Japan to obtain knowledge about the precision of EDM and the possible accumulation of strain. The average time interval between measurements is about seven or eight years. It is shown that the whole data of the difference between distance measurements repeated over a given lineD are interpreted in terms of EDM errors comprising distance proportional systematic errors and standard errors expressed by the usual form . The rate of horizontal deformation must therefore be much smaller than the strain rates of about 0.7 0.8 ppm over 7 to 8 years which have been hitherto expected.     

Asymptotic theory for calculating deformations caused by dislocations buried in a spherical earth: geoid change

An asymptotic theory is presented for calculating co-seismic potential and geoid changes, as an approximation of the dislocation theory for a spherical Earth. This theory is given by a closed-form mathematical expression, so that it is mathematically simple and can be applied easily. Moreover, since the asymptotic theory includes sphericity and vertical structure effects, it is physically more reasonable than the flat-Earth theory. A comparison between results calculated by three dislocation theories (the flat-Earth theory, the theory for a spherical Earth and its asymptotic solution) shows that the true co-seismic geoid changes are approximated better by the asymptotic results than by those of a flat Earth. Numerical results indicate that the sphericity effect is obvious large, especially for a tensile source on a vertical fault plane. AcknowledgementsThe author is grateful to Dr S. Okubo for his helpful suggestions and discussions. Comments by anonymous reviewers are also greatly acknowledged. This research was financially supported by JSPS research grants (C13640420) and Basic design and feasibility studies for the future missions for monitoring Earths environment.     

Harmonic maps

Harmonic maps are generated as a certain class of optimal map projections. For instance, if the distortion energy over a meridian strip of the International Reference Ellipsoid is minimized, we are led to the Laplace–Beltrami vector-valued partial differential equation. Harmonic functions x(L,B), y(L,B) given as functions of ellipsoidal surface parameters of Gauss ellipsoidal longitude L and Gauss ellipsoidal latitude B, as well as x(,q), y(,q) given as functions of relative isometric longitude =L–L₀ and relative isometric latitude q=Q–Q₀ gauged to a vector-valued boundary condition of special symmetry are constructed. The easting and northing {x(b,),y(b,)} of the new harmonic map is then given. Distortion energy analysis of the new harmonic map is presented, as well as case studies for (1) B[–40°,+40°], L[–31°,+49°], B₀= ±30°, L₀=9° and (2) B[46°,56°], L{[4.5°, 7.5°]; [7.5°, 10.5°]; [10.5°,13.5°]; [13.5°,16.5°]}, B₀= 51°, L₀ {6°,9°,12°,15°}.     

A study of gravity variations caused by polar motion using superconducting gravimeter data from the GGP network

Long-term continuous gravity observations, recorded at five superconducting gravimeter (SG) stations in the Global Geodynamic Project (GGP) network, as well as data on orientation variations in the Earths rotation axis (i.e. polar motion), have been used to investigate the characteristics of gravity variations on the Earths surface caused by polar motion. All the SG gravity data sets were pre-processed using identical techniques to remove the luni-solar gravity tides, the long-term trends of the instrumental drift, and the effects of atmospheric pressure. The analysis indicates that the spectral peaks, related to the Chandler and annual wobbles, were identified in both the power and product spectral density estimates. The magnitude of gravity variations, as well as the gravimetric amplitude factor associated with the Chandler wobble, changed significantly at different SG stations and during different observation periods. However, when all the SG observations at these five sites were combined, the gravimetric parameters of the Chandler wobble were retrieved accurately: 1.1613 ± 0.0737 for the amplitude factor and –1°.30 ± 1°.33 for the phase difference. The value of the estimated amplitude factor is in agreement with that predicted theoretically for the zonal tides of an elastic Earth model.     

A computational scheme to model the geoid by the modified Stokes formula without gravity reductions

In a modern application of Stokes formula for geoid determination, regional terrestrial gravity is combined with long-wavelength gravity information supplied by an Earth gravity model. Usually, several corrections must be added to gravity to be consistent with Stokes formula. In contrast, here all such corrections are applied directly to the approximate geoid height determined from the surface gravity anomalies. In this way, a more efficient workload is obtained. As an example, in applications of the direct and first and second indirect topographic effects significant long-wavelength contributions must be considered, all of which are time consuming to compute. By adding all three effects to produce a combined geoid effect, these long-wavelength features largely cancel. The computational scheme, including two least squares modifications of Stokes formula, is outlined, and the specific advantages of this technique, compared to traditional gravity reduction prior to Stokes integration, are summarised in the conclusions and final remarks. AcknowledgementsThis paper was written whilst the author was a visiting scientist at Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. The hospitality and fruitful discussions with Professor W. Featherstone and his colleagues are gratefully acknowledged.     

Elliptical harmonic series and the original Stokes problem with the boundary of the reference ellipsoid

Since the earth is closer to a revolving ellipsoid than a sphere, it is very important to study directly the original model of the Stokes' BVP on the reference ellipsoid, where denotes the reference ellipsoid, is the Somigliana normal gravity, andh is the outer normal direction of. This paper deals with: 1) simplification of the above BVP under preserving accuracy to , 2) derivation of computational formula of the elliptical harmonic series, 3) solving the BVP by the elliptical harmonic series, and 4) providing a principle for finding the elliptical harmonic model of the earth's gravity field from the spherical harmonic coefficients ofg. All results given in the paper have the same accuracy as the original BVP, that is, the accuracy of the BVP is theoretically preserved in each derivation step.     

Detecting clusters of disease with R

One of the main concerns of Public Health surveillance is the detection of clusters of disease, i. e., the presence of high incidence rates around a particular location, which usually means a higher risk of suffering from the disease under study (Aylin et al. 1999). Many methods have been proposed for cluster detection, ranging from visual inspection of disease maps to full Bayesian models analysed using MCMC. In this paper we describe the use and implementation, as a package for the R programming language, of several methods which have been widely used in the literature, such as Openshaws GAM, Stones test and others. Although some of the statistics involved in these methods have an asymptotical distribution, bootstrap will be used to estimate their actual sampling distributions.We would like to thank co-editor Dr. Manfred M. Fischer and four anonymous referees for their suggestions and comments to improve this paper. The help of Dr. Roger Bivand has also been of great value. Furthermore, this work has been partly funded by Consellería de Sanitat and EUROHEIS Project (code SI2.329122, 2001CVG2-604). The authors wish to express their regard and gratitude to Prof. Juan Ferrándiz-Ferragud who died during the revision of this paper. Juan was the main researcher of the Spanish EUROHEIS group, and was really a master for all the people involved in the project.