Non-Linear Gravitational Clustering Using the Zel'dovich Approximation

As an alternative to computationally expensive N-body simulations for gravitional clustering, the Zel'dovich approximation (ZA) was studied in 3D, 2D and 1D. Plots of the density contrast were compared against linear theory and the exact solution. The ZA was found to perform very well in the linear regime, better than linear theory, and to give a good approximation well into the non-linear regime. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

EVKG: An interlinked and interoperable electric vehicle knowledge graph for smart transportation system

Over the past decade, the electric vehicle (EV) industry has experienced unprecedented growth and diversification, resulting in a complex ecosystem. To effectively manage this multifaceted field, we present an EV-centric knowledge graph (EVKG) as a comprehensive, cross-domain, extensible, and open geospatial knowledge management system. The EVKG encapsulates essential EV-related knowledge, including EV adoption, EV supply equipment, and electricity transmission network, to support decision-making related to EV technology development, infrastructure planning, and policy-making by providing timely and accurate information and analysis. To enrich and contextualize the EVKG, we integrate the developed EV-relevant ontology modules from existing well-known knowledge graphs and ontologies. This integration enables interoperability with other knowledge graphs in the Linked Data Open Cloud, enhancing the EVKG's value as a knowledge hub for EV decision-making. Using six competency questions, we demonstrate how the EVKG can be used to answer various types of EV-related questions, providing critical insights into the EV ecosystem. Our EVKG provides an efficient and effective approach for managing the complex and diverse EV industry. By consolidating critical EV-related knowledge into a single, easily accessible resource, the EVKG supports decision-makers in making informed choices about EV technology development, infrastructure planning, and policy-making. As a flexible and extensible platform, the EVKG is capable of accommodating a wide range of data sources, enabling it to evolve alongside the rapidly changing EV landscape.     

Earth observations during space shuttle flight STS‐41: Discovery's mission to planet earth

Abstract

Multi‐temporal ERS‐1 SAR data acquired over a large agricultural region in West Bengal was used to classify kharif crops like rice, jute and sugarcane. Rice crop grown under lowland management practice showed a temporal characteristic. The dynamic range of backscatter was highest for this crop in temporal SAR data. This was used to classify rice using temporal SAR data. Such temporal character was not observed for the other study crops, which may be due to the difference in cultivation practice and crop calendar. Significant increase in backscatter from the ploughed fields was used to derive information on onset and duration of land preparations. Synergistic use of optical remote sensing data and SAR data increased the separability of rice crop from homesteads and permanent vegetation classes.     

Identifying lichenometrically datable,glacierized terrains: a case study in the cascade range of western North America

Climatic interpretations of recent glacier fluctuations rely on ice-extent chronologies developed from lichenometric ages of Holocene landforms. However, lichenometry requires time- and resource-consuming field surveys, which limit our understanding of glacier chronologies, especially in remote locations. This study presents a rapid, coarse, a priori approach to predicting new field sites where lichenometry can be applied. Geologic, geographic, climatic, and landcover data were used in spatial and supervised classification analyses to identify areas in the Cascade Range of Washington and northern Oregon with similar environmental conditions to those where lichenometric dating techniques had previously been applied. These results focus the attention of researchers to only 1100 km², or 3%, of the broader Cascade Range study area. Though this study concentrates on the utility of lichenometry for dating recent glacier activity in the Cascade Range, the screening method presented is easily translatable to a variety of geomorphic and environmental applications.     

Monitoring the regional and temporal variability of winter snowfall in the arid Andes using digital NOAA/AVHRR data

Abstract

This paper deals with the spatial distribution and the temporal variability of snowfall in the most arid part of the Andes (18°‐ 28°S) during southern hemisphere winter (May‐September). As the official precipitation data is of poor quality, analyses were carried out by means of digital image processing techniques, using NOAA/AVHRR satellite‐data. Through analysis of 24 different snowfall events from six winters, a previously unknown spatial and temporal precipitation pattern in this remote and unexplored area was revealed. Snowfall is most abundant in the southernmost part of the research area and on the western side of the Andes, indicating the Pacific origin of the snowfall.

Nevertheless, the typical snowfall pattern is modified during different periods of the winter. Three typical time periods could be defined and distinguished from one another. Each of these three periods is characterized by typical weather conditions (cold fronts and “cut‐offs “) leading to a distinct snowfall pattern.

As this study is part of a broader paleoclimatic project, the results will serve as a basis for paleoclimatic reconstruction of past climate. Only by knowing the modern circulation and precipitation patterns is it possible to interpret paleoclimatic signals and archives found in the study area (e.g. paleosol, moraines) correctly.     

Recent literature in cartography and geographic information science

Tissot's Indicatrix and regular grids have been used for assessing map projection accuracies. Despite their broad applicability for accuracy assessment, they have limitations in quantifying resampling errors caused by map projections. This is due to the structural uncertainty with regard to the placement and pattern of grids. It is also difficult to calculate the absolute amount of resampling error in each projection. As an alternative to traditional testing methods, the use of random points was investigated. Specifically, random point generation, resampling with spherical block search algorithms, resampling accuracy with a perfect grid, and resampling accuracy with eight projections were investigated and are discussed here. Eight global referencing methods were tested: the equal-area cylindrical, sinusoidal, Mollweide, Eckert IV, Hammer-Aitoff, interrupted Goode homolosine, integerized sinusoidal projections, and the equal area global gridding with a fixed latitudinal metric distance. The resampling accuracy with a perfect grid is about 75 percent. Results showed the sinusoidal and the integerized sinusoidal projections and equal-area global gridding to achieve the highest accuracies.     

GPS tomography in the polar cap: comparison with ionosondes and in situ spacecraft data

Tomographic 4D reconstructions of ionospheric anomalies appearing in the high-latitude polar cap region are compared with plasma density measurements by digital ionosonde located near the north magnetic pole at Eureka station and with in situ plasma measurements on-board DMSP spacecraft. The moderate magnetic storm of 14–17 October 2002 is taken as an example of a geomagnetic disturbance which generates large-scale ionospheric plasma anomalies at mid-latitudes and in the polar cap region. Comparison of the GPS tomographic reconstructions over Eureka station with the ionosonde measurements of the F layer peak densities indicates that the GPS tomography correctly predicts the time of arrival and passage of the ionospheric tongue of ionization over the magnetic pole area, although the tomographic technique appears to under-estimate the value of F peak plasma density. Comparison with the in situ plasma measurements by the DMSP SSIES instruments shows that the GPS tomography correctly reproduces the large-scale spatial structure of ionospheric anomalies over a wide range of latitudes from mid-latitudes to the high-latitude polar cap region, though the tomographic reconstructions tend to over-estimate the density of the topside ionosphere at 840 km DMSP orbit. This study is essential for understanding the quality and limitations of the tomographic reconstruction techniques, particularly in high-latitude regions where GPS TEC measurements and other ionospheric data sources are limited.     

A community-based urban forest inventory using online mapping services and consumer-grade digital images

Community involvement in gathering and submitting spatially referenced data via web mapping applications has recently been gaining momentum. Urban forest inventory data analyzed by programs such as the i-Tree ECO inventory method is a good candidate for such an approach. In this research, we tested the feasibility of using spatially referenced data gathered and submitted by non-professional individuals through a web application to augment urban forest inventory data. We examined the use of close range photogrammetry solutions of images taken by consumer-grade cameras to extract quantitative metric information such as crown diameter, tree heights and trunk diameters. Several tests were performed to evaluate the accuracy of the photogrammetric solutions and to examine their use in addition to existing aerial image data to supplement or partially substitute for standard i-Tree ECO field measurements.