Towards an Open Source Analysis Toolbox for Street Network Comparison: Indicators,Tools and Results of a Comparison of OSM and the Official Austrian Reference Graph

This article presents a novel open source toolbox for street network comparison based on the Sextante geoprocessing framework for the open source Geographic Information System Quantum GIS (QGIS). In the spirit of open science, the toolbox enables researchers worldwide to assess the quality of street networks such as OpenStreetMap (OSM) by calculating key performance indicators commonly used in street network comparison studies. Additionally, we suggest two new performance indicators for turn restriction and one‐way street comparisons specifically aimed at testing street network quality for routing. We demonstrate the use of this toolbox by comparing OSM and the official Austrian reference graph “Graph Integration Platform” (GIP) in the greater Vienna region.     

Interferometric Observation at Mid-Infrared Wave-lengths with MIDI

MIDI, the MID-Infrared Interferometricnterferometric Instrument for ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI), will be the first instrument for combining mid-infrared light directly in order to obtain angular resolution up to 10 mas (assuming a 200 m baseline) in a wavelength range from 8 to 13 μm. Currently in the phase of commissioning at Paranal, the start of its scientific operation is expected for summer 2003. Direct interferometry at thermal infrared wavelengths demands special requirements on the instrument and also on the procedures of preparation of data reduction. Hereafter MIDI's different observing modes are described and an example for an interferometric observation is given. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

MIDI – the 10 μm instrument on the VLTI

After more than five years of preparation, the mid-infrared interferometric instrument MIDI has been transported to Paranal where it will undergo testing and commissioning on theVery Large Telescope Interferometer VLTI from the end of 2002through large part of this year 2003. Thereafter it will be available as a user instrument to perform interferometric observations over the8 μm–13 μm wavelength range, with a spatial resolution of typically 20 milliarcsec, a spectral resolution of up to 250, and an anticipated point source sensitivity of N = 3–4 mag or 1–2.5 Jy for self –fringe tracking, which will be the only observing mode during the first months of operation. We describe the layout of the instrument, laboratory tests, and expected performance, both for broadband and spectrally resolved observing modes. We also briefly outline the planned guaranteed time observations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Geometric methods for estimating representative sidewalk widths applied to Vienna’s streetscape surfaces database

Space, and in particular public space for movement and leisure, is a valuable and scarce resource, especially in today’s growing urban centres. The distribution and absolute amount of urban space—especially the provision of sufficient pedestrian areas, such as sidewalks—is considered crucial for shaping living and mobility options as well as transport choices. Ubiquitous urban data collection and today’s IT capabilities offer new possibilities for providing a relation-preserving overview and for keeping track of infrastructure changes. This paper presents three novel methods for estimating representative sidewalk widths and applies them to the official Viennese streetscape surface database. The first two methods use individual pedestrian area polygons and their geometrical representations of minimum circumscribing and maximum inscribing circles to derive a representative width of these individual surfaces. The third method utilizes aggregated pedestrian areas within the buffered street axis and results in a representative width for the corresponding road axis segment. Results are displayed as city-wide means in a 500 by 500 m grid and spatial autocorrelation based on Moran’s I is studied. We also compare the results between methods as well as to previous research, existing databases and guideline requirements on sidewalk widths. Finally, we discuss possible applications of these methods for monitoring and regression analysis and suggest future methodological improvements for increased accuracy.     

Ca-rich Ilvaite-Epidote-Hydrogarnet Endoskarns: a Record of Late-Magmatic Fluid Influx into the Persodic Ilimaussaq Complex, South Greenland

Endoskarn assemblages involving the Ca-silicates ilvaite, epidoteand Ca-rich garnet occur along fracture zones in the persodicIlímaussaq intrusion, South Greenland. The 1·16Ga intrusion solidified at a depth of about 3–4 km, belowa cover of sandstones and pillow-basalts of the Eriksfjord Formation.In contrast to typical skarn assemblages, the Ilímaussaqendoskarns contain albite as a main phase and they did not formin metacarbonate rocks, as these are completely lacking in thevicinity of Ilímaussaq. Instead, they record late- topost-magmatic interaction of possibly external Ca-rich fluidswith the alkaline to agpaitic magmatic rocks. Accordingly, endoskarntextures clearly reflect the magmatic textures of the precursorrocks. Phase relations in two endoskarn varieties with epidote+ albite + andradite-rich garnet ± ilvaite ± retrogradeprehnite suggest their formation at about 500°C at highoxygen fugacities slightly above the hematite–magnetiteoxygen buffer [FMQ (fayalite–magnetite–quartz) +5 to FMQ + 7] with later small modifications as a result offluid influx or cooling of the original fluid at about 300–350°C(formation of prehnite) and at about 200–250°C (oxygenisotopic re-equilibration of the albite). One model for theformation of the observed assemblages is the decomposition ofCa-bearing minerals, such as primary eudialyte, clinopyroxeneor ternary feldspar, and redistribution of the Ca by a metasomatizinglate-magmatic fluid. Stable isotope (O, H) investigations, however,favour a model in which seawater was the metasomatizing fluid,which entered the Eriksfjord basalts above the intrusion, reactedwith them (spilitization) and brought about 10^–3 mol/lCa along fractures into the metasomatized rocks. Fluid–rockinteraction in the Eriksfjord basalts is documented by abundantchlorite–epidote–quartz assemblages; high fluid/rockratios allowed the fluid to retain its seawater oxygen isotopecomposition. KEY WORDS: agpaite; endoskarn; Ilímaussaq; ilvaite; metasomatism; seawater     

CCD observations of X-ray binaries

During two observation periods in 1984 and 1985 we monitored the faint optical counterparts of seven X-ray binaries with a CCD camera attached to the Cassegrain-focus of the 2.2 m telescope at Calar Alto, Spain. The observation periods were 1984, September 25–27, and 1985, August 8–15.The transient sources 4U0042+32 and 4U0115+63 showed no active state.The search for an optical candidate of 4U0142+62 did not reveal any objectm _v 24 within the EXOSAT error box.Within the EXOSAT error box of EXO2030+37 the reddest object was found to be very faint in blue in contrast to the blue Palomar plate.The analysis of the other three observed sources 4U1837+04, 1H1929+509, and 4U2129+47 is not yet finalized, but no unexpected bright or faint state of the sources has been found, 4U2129+47 is still in its present low state (m _v =18), lasting at least since 1983.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Phanerozoic upper crustal tectono-thermal development of basement rocks from central Madagascar: An integrated fission-track and structural study

An integrated study of fission-track (FT) dating and structural geology revealed a complex tectono-thermal history preserved in basement rocks of central Madagascar since the amalgamation of Gondwana at the end of the Cambrian. A detailed study of five domains argues for several cooling steps with associated brittle deformations during the separation of Madagascar.Titanite and apatite FT ages range between 483 Ma and 266 Ma and between 460 Ma and 79 Ma, respectively. The titanite FT data indicate that the final cooling after the latest metamorphic overprint was terminated at c. 500 Ma (FC1). A 150 Myr phase of minor cooling (SC2), possibly related to a phase of tectonic quiescence and isostatic compensation, followed episode FC1. Between the Carboniferous and Early Jurassic, when an intracontinental rift developed between East Africa and Madagascar, complex brittle deformation effected the western margin of Madagascar and led to differential cooling of small basement blocks (FC3–FC5). During this period, ductile structural trends were reactivated at the western basement margin and in the centre of the island.A Late Cretaceous thermal event (T1) affected apatite FT data of samples from western–central and the eastern margin of Madagascar. These ages are related to the Madagascar–India/Seychelles break-up, whereby the thermal penetration along the eastern coast was restricted to the west by the Angavo shear zone (AGSZ). The Cretaceous evolution of the eastern margin was associated with minor erosion and was triggered by vertical displacements along brittle structures.