Relative Radiometric Normalisation - performance testing of selected techniques and impact analysis on vegetation and water bodies

In this paper, six image-based Relative Radiometric Normalization (RRN) techniques were applied to normalize the bi-temporal Landsat 5 TM data-set. RRN techniques do not require any atmospheric and ground information at the time of image acquisition. The target image for the year 2009 was normalized in such a way that it resembled the atmospheric and sensor conditions similar to those under which the reference image of the same season for the year 1990 was acquired. Among the selected methods applied, it was found that the Iteratively Reweighted Multivariate Alteration Detection (IR-MAD) method performed better, based on the error statistic. The IR-MAD technique was found to be advantageous as it identified a large set of true time-invariant pixels automatically from the change background using iterative canonical component analysis. The technique also stretches the values of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Normalized Difference Water Index and may help to distinguish different vegetation and water bodies better.     

Effect of Geotextile Ties on Uplift Capacity of Anchors Embedded in Sand

This paper presents the results of experimental investigation on the effect of geotextile ties on uplift capacity of anchors embedded in sand. Uplift capacity of anchor increases with increase in embedment depth to base diameter (H/D) ratio irrespective of type of anchor. With the introduction of tie to anchors, uplift capacity of anchors increases and optimum number of layers of ties is found to be 2. A non linear power model has been developed to predict the uplift capacity at any settlement (Q _R) of anchors with tie in terms of uplift capacity at any settlement (Q _URs) of anchor without tie, H/D ratio, number of layers of tie and displacement to base diameter ratio (Δ/D). The model is applicable for predicting Q _R having the values of Q _RS, H/D, N and Δ/D in the range of 0.257 ≤ Q _URs ≤ 1.420, 1.5 ≤ H/D ≤ 3.0, 1 ≤ N ≤ 4, 0.8 ≤ Δ/D ≤ 8.     

Energy Gain of Positive Ions in Solar Polar Coronal Holes

We have investigated heating of solar polar coronal holes and acceleration of fast solar wind by means of lower hybrid (LH) waves. A three-fluid Maxwell model comprising electrons, protons, and α-particles is employed at around two solar radii heliocentric distance, where wave dissipation starts to be dominated by collisionless processes. We suggest specific wavenumber ranges corresponding to LH as well as stochastic instabilities and find that these instabilities may bring about a significant energy gain in positive ions.     

Rain attenuation studies over an earth–space path at a tropical location

The rain rate and rain attenuation measurements have been carried out at Kolkata (22.65°N, 88.45°E), India, a tropical location, since 2004. The measured rain attenuation is compared with the simple attenuation model (SAM) and ITU-R model generated values. The relation between the rain rate and rain attenuation is analyzed for three years data (2005–2007) and a year-to-year variation is noticed. Rain attenuation has been found higher in the pre-monsoon period than in the monsoon months for identical rain rate. Cumulative distributions of rain rate and rain attenuation data along with the respective ITU-R models for three years are also presented.     

An approach for GIS-based statistical landslide susceptibility zonation—with a case study in the Himalayas

Landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) is necessary for disaster management and planning development activities in mountainous regions. A number of methods, viz. landslide distribution, qualitative, statistical and distribution-free analyses have been used for the LSZ studies and they are again briefly reviewed here. In this work, two methods, the Information Value (InfoVal) and the Landslide Nominal Susceptibility Factor (LNSF) methods that are based on bivariate statistical analysis have been applied for LSZ mapping in a part of the Himalayas. Relevant thematic maps representing various factors (e.g., slope, aspect, relative relief, lithology, buffer zones along thrusts, faults and lineaments, drainage density and landcover) that are related to landslide activity, have been generated using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The LSZ derived from the LNSF method, has been compared with that produced from the InfoVal method and the result shows a more realistic LSZ map from the LNSF method which appears to conform to the heterogeneity of the terrain.     

On role of pressure anisotropy for relativistic stars admitting conformal motion

We investigate the spacetime of anisotropic stars admitting conformal motion. The Einstein field equations are solved using different ansatz of the surface tension. In this investigation, we study two cases in details with the anisotropy as: (1) p _t =n p _r , (2) -p_r=(+c_2)p_{t}-p_{r}=\frac{1}{8\pi}(\frac{c_{1}}{r^{2}}+c_{2}) where, n, c ₁ and c ₂ are arbitrary constants. The solutions yield expressions of the physical quantities like pressure gradients and the mass.     

Ionospheric effects of transient celestial X-ray and gamma-ray events

The paper presents the results on investigations of the ionospheric effects arising out of the transient celestial events at X-ray and gamma-ray energies such as that from X-ray novae and cosmic gamma-ray bursts. The VLF data recorded at Ahmedabad corresponding to the 164 kHz transmission from Tashkent are examined to see whether there are any observable effects time coincident with the transit of the X-ray novae Cen X-4 and Cet X-2 around their intensity maxima. Besides, the VLF data have also been examined in relation to the cosmic gamma-ray bursts detected by Vela, IMP-6 and OSO-7 satellites.Theoretical computations are carried out for estimating electron density enhancements using the available data on intensities and energy spectra for these events. Further, the observational resutls are explained in terms of these theoretical calculations.Presently at Indian Space Research Organization, Bangalore, India.Paper presented at the COSPAR Symposium on Fast Transients in X- and Gamma-Rays, held at Varna, Bulgaria, 29–31 May, 1975.