An evaluation of Guided Regularized Random Forest for classification and regression tasks in remote sensing

New Earth observation missions and technologies are delivering large amounts of data. Processing this data requires developing and evaluating novel dimensionality reduction approaches to identify the most informative features for classification and regression tasks. Here we present an exhaustive evaluation of Guided Regularized Random Forest (GRRF), a feature selection method based on Random Forest. GRRF does not require fixing a priori the number of features to be selected or setting a threshold of the feature importance. Moreover, the use of regularization ensures that features selected by GRRF are non-redundant and representative. Our experiments based on various kinds of remote sensing images, show that GRRF selected features provides similar results to those obtained when using all the available features. However, the comparison between GRRF and standard random forest features shows substantial differences: in classification, the mean overall accuracy increases by almost 6% and, in regression, the decrease in RMSE almost reaches 2%. These results demonstrate the potential of GRRF for remote sensing image classification and regression. Especially in the context of increasingly large geodatabases that challenge the application of traditional methods.     

A multiscale work-analysis approach for geotechnical structures

This paper presents a second-order work analysis in application to geotechnical problems by using a novel effective multiscale approach. To abandon complicated equations involved in conventional phenomenological models, this multiscale approach employs a micromechanically-based formulation, in which only four parameters are involved. The multiscale approach makes it possible a coupling of the finite element method (FEM) and the micromechanically-based model. The FEM is used to solve the boundary value problem (BVP) while the micromechanically-based model is utilized at the Gauss point of the FEM. Then, the multiscale approach is used to simulate a three-dimensional triaxial test and a plain-strain footing. On the basis of the simulations, material instabilities are analyzed at both mesoscale and global scale. The second-order work criterion is then used to analyze the numerical results. It opens a road to interpret and understand the micromechanisms hiding behind the occurrence of failure in geotechnical issues.     

Plane of elastic non-resisting tension material under foundation structures

In the frame of 2D-static problems one approaches the problem of elastic-NRT (not-resisting tension) semi-plane loaded on its limit line. This problem is intended to model the stress situation induced in the soil by a foundation structure. The solution, in terms of activated stress field, is searched for in the class of stress fields satisfying equilibrium and admissibility conditions, by applying an energy approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

显性语法知识传授中的发现原则

尽管语法在交际教学法鼎盛时期一度遭到冷遇，但现在又重新被英语语言教学所接纳，作为一种新的语法教学方式，发现原则综合了传统归纳发和演绎法的长处，概述了发现原则的理论依据，指出发现原则旨在鼓励学习者积极参与而非被动接受，符合当前认知主义对二语学习的认识。     

无规取向、无吸收非球形粒子光散射的T-矩阵方法

较详细地研究了无规取向、无吸收椭球体粒子的T－矩阵收敛问题。首先，简要概括了nmax的3种收敛方案和它们的基本特性。然后，应用1993年提出的数学收敛方法（M－方法）和1998年提出和物理收敛方法（P－方法）研究收敛问题。结果表明椭球粒子收敛精度对粒子的尺度参数，纵横比以及椭球体的种类（例如，长／扁椭球）有很强的依赖性。当粒子的尺度参数不太大时，甚至在极端纵横比的条件下，P－收敛方案优于M－收敛方案。     

关于非球形粒子光散射的T-矩阵数值计算方法的研究

首先介绍了无规取向轴对称非球形粒子光散射的T－矩阵数值方法。然后，进一步研究了T－矩阵计算的收敛问题，提出了一种新的关于无规取向无吸收非线形散射物体的物理收敛方法，我们研究了椭球粒子的收敛问题，结果表明我们的数值方法和T－矩阵计算程序是有效的， 收敛精度与粒子的尺度和形状有很强的依赖性，在一定的条件下，我们的物理收敛速度优于NASA Mishchenko的数学收敛速序。     

Properties of Galaxies in the Second Byurakan Survey. II. Characteristic Features of a Separate Sample of Galaxies

Some features of a sample of galaxies from the Second Byurakan Survey are discussed. Most of them are small galaxies with star formation. It is shown that different types of galaxies are in the Survey, with high, medium, and low levels of excitation and continua ranging from blue to relatively red. Many of the galaxies have absorption lines in their spectra; their continua are formed by stars in later spectral classes.     

AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO AIR MASS CLASSIFICATION IN THE NORTH CENTRAL UNITED STATES

Both subjective and objective schemes for air mass classification offer advantages to climatological studies. An integrated approach is developed and applied to 850 mb level data in the north central United States. Each air mass type was initially delimited by a subjective analysis. Final limits were then determined with an objective technique that separates temperature curves into normal components based on interpretation from the subjective method. Continental air was most frequent in all seasons except summer. The methodology also allows estimation of classification error.     

Discrimination of sedimentary facies by association analysis

The ability of association analysis to discriminate sedimentary facies was tested on Purdy's modal analyses of modern sediments of the Great Bahama Bank. Purdy's data set has served in the past as a standard reference for evaluating various multivariate classification algorithms. In order to adapt Purdy's data to association analysis, the percent abundance of the 12 constituents was converted to binary form by dichotomizing each variable on its mean value. The results obtained by association analysis are virtually identical to those obtained by Purdy and other authors. The same four main sedimentary facies were discriminated; 86% of the samples were identically classified (97% when misclassified borderline cases are counted as matches); the total partition variance of the classification is only negligibly greater (4%); and the grouping of the variables yielded the same four groups. The rank order of the three division-attributes responsible for the sample classification is fines, oolites, and corals. Association analysis has been employed by other authors to differentiate meaningful facies groups in studies of ancient reef carbonates, modern reef sediments, and heavy minerals in stream sediments. In all these studies, the results were found to be compatible with those obtained by using the continuous quantitative measurements, indicating that qualitative binary data may often be sufficient for the purpose of facies discrimination in many branches of geology and that association analysis is an effective method for this purpose.     

THE EVOLUTION OF SERVICE ECONOMIES: A GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE1

Of the several classifications of services, each emphasizes different characteristics. The International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) is used for a comparative study on the transformation into service economies of the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, France, West Germany, Italy and Japan. Service economies are defined as national economies in which employment in services surpassed that in manufacturing. The pace of the evolution of service economies has been rapid with North America leading, followed in order by Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan and West Germany. Service economies have important implications for urban growth, intercity competition, and international trade.