Visual Interpretation Method Research Articles

Aggregated Tau Measured by Visual Interpretation of Flortaucipir Positron Emission Tomography and the Associated Risk of Clinical Progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease

Flortaucipir positron emission tomography (PET) scans, rated with a novel, US Food and Drug Administration-approved, clinically applicable visual interpretation method, provide valuable information regarding near-term clinical progression of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). To evaluate the association between flortaucipir PET visual interpretation and patients' near-term clinical progression. Two prospective, open-label, longitudinal studies were conducted from December 2014 to September 2019. Study 1 screened 298 patients and enrolled 160 participants who had a flortaucipir scan at baseline visit. Study 2 selected 205 participants from the AMARANTH trial, which was terminated after futility analysis. Out of the 2218 AMARANTH participants, 424 had a flortaucipir scan around randomization, but 219 did not complete 18-month clinical dementia rating (CDR) assessments and thus were excluded. In both studies, all participants were diagnosed as clinically impaired, and they were longitudinally followed up for approximately 18 months after baseline. Flortaucipir scans were rated as either advanced or nonadvanced AD pattern using a predetermined visual interpretation method. The CDR sum of box (CDR-SB) score was used as primary clinical end point measurement in both studies. Of the 364 study participants who had readable scans, 48% were female (n = 174 of 364), and the mean (SD) age was 71.8 (8.7) years. Two hundred forty participants were rated as having an advanced AD pattern. At 18 months follow-up, 70% of those with an advanced AD pattern (n = 147 of 210) had 1 point or more increase in CDR-SB, an event predefined as clinically meaningful deterioration. In contrast, only 46% of those with a nonadvanced AD pattern scan (n = 48 of 105) experienced the same event (risk ratio [RR], 1.40; 95% CI, 1.11-1.76; P = .005). The adjusted mean CDR-SB changes were 2.28 and 0.98 for advanced and nonadvanced AD pattern groups, respectively (P < .001). Analyses with other clinical end point assessments, as well as analyses with each individual study's data, consistently indicated a higher risk of clinical deterioration associated with an advanced AD scan pattern. These results suggest that flortaucipir PET scans, when interpreted with an US Food and Drug Administration-approved, clinically applicable visual interpretation method, may provide valuable information regarding the risk of clinical deterioration over 18 months among patients with AD and MCI. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02016560 and NCT03901105.

Shoreline Extraction in SAR Image Based on Advanced Geometric Active Contour Model

Rapid and accurate extraction of shoreline is of great significance for the use and management of sea area. Remote sensing has a strong ability to obtain data and has obvious advantages in shoreline survey. Compared with visible-light remote sensing, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has the characteristics of all-weather and all-day working. It has been well-applied in shoreline extraction. However, due to the influence of natural conditions there is a problem of weak boundary in extracting shoreline from SAR images. In addition, the complex micro topography near the shoreline makes it difficult for traditional visual interpretation and image edge detection methods based on edge information to obtain a continuous and complete shoreline in SAR images. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a method to detect the land–sea boundary based on a geometric active contour model. In this method, a new symbolic pressure function is used to improve the geometric active-contour model, and the global regional smooth information is used as the convergence condition of curve evolution. Then, the influence of different initial contours on the number and time of iterations is studied. The experimental results show that this method has the advantages of fewer iteration times, good stability and high accuracy.

Time-series snowmelt detection over the Antarctic using Sentinel-1 SAR images on Google Earth Engine

The Antarctic ice sheet is an important mass of glacier ice. It is particularly sensitive to climate change, and the flow of Antarctica's inland glaciers into the sea, accelerated by collapsing ice shelves, threatens global sea level rise. The amount of snowmelt on the surface of the ice sheet is an important metric for accurately assessing surface material loss and albedo change, which affect the stability of the ice sheet. This study proposes a framework for quickly extracting time-series freeze-thaw information at the continental scale and 40 m resolution by taking advantage of the huge amount of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data acquired by Sentinel-1 satellites over the Antarctic, available for rapid processing on Google Earth Engine. Co-orbit normalization is used in the proposed framework to establish a unified standard of judgement by reducing the variations in the backscattering coefficient introduced by observation geometry, terrain fluctuations, and melt conditions between images acquired at different times. We implemented the framework to produce a massive dataset of both monthly freeze-thaw information over the Antarctic and higher temporal resolution freeze-thaw information for the Larsen C ice shelf from 2015 to 2019, with overall accuracies of 93% verified by a manual visual interpretation method and 84% evaluated from automatic weather station temperatures. Due to its effectiveness and robustness, the framework can be used to analyse the spatiotemporal distribution of snowmelt, the change in melt area, and anomalous melt events in Antarctica, especially those in Larsen C caused by foehn wind.

Effect of decimation on positive periodic solutions of discrete generalized Nicholson’s blowflies models with multiple time-varying delays

This study elucidates the sufficient conditions for time-delayed scalar discrete models with nonlinear decimation terms to have at least N positive periodic solutions. Our results are proved using Krasnosel’skii’s fixed point theorem. Two sets, referred to as Δ and ∇, that are specifically determined for each given model play an important role in the results. The results obtained clarify that at least one positive periodic solution exists within the interval between a point belonging to Δ and a point belonging to ∇. Therefore, the number of disjoint intervals separated by multiple pairs determines the number of periodic solutions in the model. Although it is necessary to examine the individual discrete models in detail to identify whether the set Δ is present, the existence of the set ∇ is relatively easy to determine. Simple conditions for guaranteeing the existence of the set ∇ are also presented. In addition, a method of visual interpretation of our results for a special case of describing the population dynamics of adult flies is proposed. Finally, based on the results obtained, measures to effectively decimate adult flies are discussed, and it is shown that the decimation of adult flies will reduce the lower bound of the cycle change of the fly population but will not always reduce the upper bound.

Study on the impact of coastal land use change on environment based on remote sensing data

The coastal zone is the bridge between the ocean and the mainland, the junction of the two ecosystems, the focus of the economic development of coastal cities and the gathering place of ports. Remote sensing technology uses the detector to receive the electromagnetic wave from the target object. After processing the information, it can distinguish the attributes of the target object. It is widely used in marine development, aerospace understanding, resource exploration and other fields.In this paper, the coastal zone of Shangyu Economic Development Zone on the south coast of Hangzhou Bay is taken as the research area. Using multi-source remote sensing data, information extraction, change monitoring and analysis are carried out from the perspective of marine and land ecosystems, and the impact of coastal development on the coastal zone is discussed. The main conclusions are as follows: (a) Using visual interpretation method, it is found that the coastline of the study area changes obviously, and the decrease trend is below the total coastline length; Fractal dimension index is used to characterize the natural condition of coastline. The total coastline length, natural coastline and artificial coastline all increase, which means that the amount of beach sediment deposition and the degree of artificial intervention have increased in this stage. (b) The object-oriented method is used to extract the land use classification of the coastal zone in the study area. Cultivated land is the main land type in the study area, and the impervious surface is the fastest growing. The degree of artificial development of the whole study area is gradually increasing, and the coastal beach area is greatly reduced, and the impervious surface area is greatly increased. Wetland and impervious surface are the two most dramatic changes in the study period. Wetland is mainly transformed into other surface features, while impervious surface is mainly transformed into other surface features.

Analisis Spasio-Temporal Perubahan Luas Lahan Garam di Pesisir Kabupaten Rembang

The increase in salt consumption is not proportional to the growth of salt production land. So far, the mapping of salt ponds has been carried out on a small to medium scale, so the accuracy is not too good. This study aimed to analyze changes in large-scale salt ponds in Rembang Regency during the period of 2005-2015. The data source used is a Very High-Resolution Satellite Image (CSRST) which has been corrected and other secondary data. Salt area was calculated through visual interpretation and manual detection. CSRST data usage by visual interpretation methods and manual detection had advantages in terms of geometric accuracy compared with the use of medium-sized image of automation methods. The analysis showed that the area of salt land in Rembang Regency increased during 2005-2015. The biggest increase occurred in 2005-2011, which increased by 546,255 ha or by 32%. The increase in area during 2011-2015 was not significant by 198.45 ha (11.46%). Area expansion was expected to occur in the next few years, but it was not expected to be significant because of the optimal land use in the most of Rembang already. Expansion of salt ponds remained possible by converting the existing rice fields on the coast of Rembang Regency. However, a comparative study of the economic value of rice fields and salt ponds must be carried out before converting the paddy fields to salt ponds.

Potentials and barriers of physical development of the Ruodbar city using Remote Sensing and GIS

Background and Objective: Physical development of cities around the world is influenced by its natural geography and human interactions. Geographic data analysis is difficult without the use of geographic information and satellite data, and impossible in a complex case. In this study, potentials and barriers of physical development of the Ruodbar city using Remote Sensing and GIS be evaluated. Method: Firstly, in the ArcGIS software environment, using the AHP-FUZZY combination method the use of slope, gradient, land use, power lines, river, road and rail, fault and rural points are used to locate the urban sprawl. The output was extracted in the form of a map of AHP and fuzzy overlay into five groups with very good, good, moderate, weak and very weak potential. In order to expand the city's physical development by using a visual interpretation on Google Earth images for 2016, 2009, 2004 for 12 years, a map was drawn out as the result. Finally, the results obtained from the Geographic Information and Visual Interpretation System were compared. Findings: The findings of the AHP-FUZZY compilation show that 95.6% of the study area has very weak potential, 1. 52% has a weak potential, 1.17% has a moderate potential, 1.21% has good potential and 0.69% has a very good potential. And the findings from the visual interpretation method over the course of 12 years show that the development of the city is just Mehr Housing (a project done government). Discussion and Conclusion: Based on the findings of the AHP-FUZZY Compilation and Metrology Measurement, we concluded that most of the constructions have been implemented in unpredictable places in the city of Roodbar, which is influenced by natural and inevitable factors, including steep slope, abundant faults, permanent existence of Sefidrood river, and land use, most of which are gardens and forests and agricultural land and has prevented its physical development.

Rapid identification of landslide, collapse and crack based on low-altitude remote sensing image of UAV

Landslides, collapses and cracks are the main types of geological hazards, which threaten the safety of human life and property at all times. In emergency surveying and mapping, it is time-consuming and laborious to use the method of field artificial investigation and recognition and using satellite image to identify ground hazards, there are some problems, such as time lag, low resolution, and difficult to select the map on demand. In this paper, a 10 cm per pixel resolution photogrammetry of a geological hazard -prone area of Taohuagou, Shanxi Province, China is carried out by DJ 4 UAV. The digital orthophoto model (DOM), digital surface model (DSM) and three-dimensional point cloud model (3 DPCM) are generated in this region. The method of visual interpretation of cracks based on DOM (as main) -3DPCM (as auxiliary) and landslide and collapse based on 3DPCM (as main) — DOM and DSM (as auxiliary) are proposed. Based on the low altitude remote sensing image of UAV, the shape characteristics, geological characteristics and distribution of the identified hazards are analyzed. The results show that using UAV low altitude remote sensing image, the method of combination of main and auxiliary data can quickly and accurately identify landslide, collapse and crack, the accuracy of crack identification is 93%, and the accuracy of landslide and collapse identification is 100%. It mainly occurs in silty clay and mudstone geology and is greatly affected by slope foot excavation. This study can play a great role in the recognition of sudden hazards by low altitude remote sensing images of UAV.

Natural forests loss and tree plantations: large-scale tree cover loss differentiation in a threatened biodiversity hotspot

Distinguishing between natural forests from exotic tree plantations is essential to get an accurate picture of the world’s state of forests. Most exotic tree plantations support lower levels of biodiversity and have less potential for ecosystem services supply than natural forests, and differencing them is still a challenge using standard tools. We use a novel approach in south-central of Chile to differentiate tree cover dynamics among natural forests and exotic tree plantations. Chile has one of the world’s most competitive forestry industry and the region is a global biodiversity hotspot. Our collaborative visual interpretation method combined a global database of tree cover change, remote sensing from high-resolution satellite images and expert knowledge. By distinguishing exotic tree plantation and natural forest loss, we fit spatially explicit models to estimate tree-cover loss across 40 millions of ha between 2000 and 2016. We were able to distinguish natural forests from exotic tree plantations with an overall accuracy of 99% and predicted forest loss. Total tree cover loss was continuous over time, and the disaggregation revealed that 1 549 909 ha of tree plantations were lost (mean = 96 869 ha year−1), while 206 142 ha corresponded to natural forest loss (mean = 12 884 ha year−1). Mostly of tree plantations lost returned to be plantation (51%). Natural forests were converted mainly (75%) to transitional land covers (e.g. shrubland, bare land, grassland), and an important proportion of these may finish as tree plantation. This replacement may undermine objectives of increasedcarbon storage and biodiversity. Tree planting as a solution has gained increased attention in recen years with ambitious commitments to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, negative outcomes for the environment could result if strategies incentivize the replacement of natural forests into other land covers. Initiatives to reduce carbon emissions should encourage differentiating natural forests from exotic tree plantations and pay more attention on protecting and managing sustainably the former.

Visual interpretation, not SUV ratios, is the ideal method to interpret 18F-DOPA PET scans to aid in the cure of patients with focal congenital hyperinsulinism.

IntroductionCongenital hyperinsulinism is characterized by abnormal regulation of insulin secretion from the pancreas causing profound hypoketotic hypoglycemia and is the leading cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infants and children. The main objective of this study is to highlight the different mechanisms to interpret the 18F-DOPA PET scans and how this can influence outcomes.Materials and methodsAfter 18F-Fluoro-L-DOPA was injected intravenously into 50 subjects’ arm at a dose of 2.96–5.92 MBq/kg, three to four single-bed position PET scans were acquired at 20, 30, 40 and 50-minute post injection. The radiologist interpreted the scans for focal and diffuse hyperinsulinism using a visual interpretation method, as well as determining the Standard Uptake Value ratios with varying cut-offs.ResultsVisual interpretation had the combination of the best sensitivity and positive prediction values.ConclusionsIn patients with focal disease, SUV ratios are not as accurate in identifying the focal lesion as visual inspection, and cases of focal disease may be missed by those relying on SUV ratios, thereby denying the patients a chance of cure. We recommend treating patients with diazoxide-resistant hyperinsulinism in centers with dedicated multidisciplinary team comprising of at least a pediatric endocrinologist with a special interest in hyperinsulinism, a radiologist experienced in interpretation of 18F-Fluoro-L-DOPA PET/CT scans, a histopathologist with experience in frozen section analysis of the pancreas and a pancreatic surgeon experienced in partial pancreatectomies in patients with hyperinsulinism.

Digital Image Analysis of CD8+ and CD3+ Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PurposeThe presence of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been reported to be associated with treatment outcomes in many types of solid tumors. However, the results vary due to the various methods of visual estimation and subjective interpretation. The current study is the first to use digital image analyses to evaluate the density of CD8+/CD3+ TILs in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).Patients and MethodsFrom 2005 to 2015, a cohort of 258 TSCC patients were consecutively enrolled in this study. After immunohistochemistry on representative sections, the density of CD8+/CD3+ TILs at tumor invasive margins was evaluated by digital image analysis. The subjects were stratified by the median values of CD3+ cell density, CD8+ cell density, CD8/CD3, and scores (0, 1, and 2) to demonstrate the association with various clinicopathological manifestations.ResultsLow CD8+ TIL counts were associated with advanced tumor stages (p=0.034), and low CD8/CD3 ratios were associated with perineural invasion (p=0.043). Both parameters were also associated with increased tumor depths (p=0.034 and 0.004, respectively). Univariate analyses revealed that advanced tumor stages, perineural invasion, extranodal extension, tumor depth, lower CD8 counts, and lower scores (score 0 vs 2) were associated with poorer overall survival, and multivariate analysis further indicated that extranodal extension and low scores (score 0 vs 2) were both independent factors for overall survival (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0369, respectively).ConclusionThe use of digital image analysis to assess CD8+ TILs at the invasive margins provides an objective indicator of prognoses including overall survival.

Changes in land cover and ecological stress in Borneo based on remote sensing and an ecological footprint method

Changes in land cover and ecological stressors are known to reflect the influences of human activities on regional environments and are also indicators of sustainable development. In this research, Borneo was selected as the study area. The data were sourced from Landsat TM image data obtained in 1990, 2000 and 2010, SRTM DEM data, and DMSP/OLS night-time satellite data, along with socioeconomic information, including regional population, biological resource consumption and energy consumption data. The vegetation brightness index (VBI) and the filtered normalized difference built-up index (FNDBI) are proposed, and the overall classification accuracy reached 87% when combined with decision tree classification and visual interpretation methods. Based on the traditional ecological footprint method, a dynamic calculation method for the production factor is proposed. The ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity, and ecological deficit/surplus of Borneo in 1990, 2000, and 2010 were then calculated, and a method for creating the corresponding grid-based spatial distribution map was proposed. The effects of human activities on land cover and ecological stress in Borneo from 1990 to 2010 were analyzed in this study. The results showed that the tropical rainforests of Borneo decreased by 13% over two decades and dramatically changed to shrublands, plantations, and arable land areas. The ecological pressure increased from the central mountains to the coastal plains, and ecological deficits appeared in the coastal zones with altitudes less than 150 m in the West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and Sabah regions, which indicated a trend of gradual expansion. Urban construction, plantations, logging, mining, forest fires, and other human activities have interfered with natural systems, and this has led to major pressures being placed on regional sustainable development and ecological security, as well as influencing the ecological stability of other global regions.

"Too Big To Ignore": A feasibility analysis of detecting fishing events in Gabonese small-scale fisheries.

In many developing countries, small-scale fisheries provide employment and important food security for local populations. To support resource management, the description of the spatiotemporal extent of fisheries is necessary, but often poorly understood due to the diffuse nature of effort, operated from numerous small wooden vessels. Here, in Gabon, Central Africa, we applied Hidden Markov Models to detect fishing patterns in seven different fisheries (with different gears) from GPS data. Models were compared to information collected by on-board observers (7 trips) and, at a larger scale, to a visual interpretation method (99 trips). Models utilizing different sampling resolutions of GPS acquisition were also tested. Model prediction accuracy was high with GPS data sampling rates up to three minutes apart. The minor loss of accuracy linked to model classification is largely compensated by the savings in time required for analysis, especially in a context of nations or organizations with limited resources. This method could be applied to larger datasets at a national or international scale to identify and more adequately manage fishing effort.

Monitoring of UN sustainable development goal SDG-9.1.1: study of Algerian "Belt and Road" expressways constructed by China.

The proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road is an indicator of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9.1.1. This paper aims to calculate SDG indicator 9.1.1 in the proximity of five Algerian expressways. Three monitoring methods are proposed for different spatial regions based on the five expressways built by China’s Belt and Road Initiative Project. These methods are based on remote sensing and WorldPop and The High Resolution Settlement Layer (HRSL) population data. The results indicate that (1) the WorldPop population statistics show that the five expressways built by China’s Belt Project have increased the rural population of the 2 km buffer zone by 192,016 between the start of construction and eight years after its completion. By the end of 2019, the population increased by 329,291 accounting for 1.17% of the rural population. (2) Based on populations estimated form built-up index (NDBI) building areas, the rural populations within the 2 km buffer area of the Bejaia-Haniff Expressway in 2011, 2015, and 2019 were 273,118, 306,430, and 375,408, respectively. (3) HRSL population grid statistics indicate that, in 2015, the populations were: East-West Expressway = 911,549, Bejaia Expressway = 127,471, Tipaza Expressway = 71,411, North-South Expressway = 30,583, and Cherchell Ring Expressway = 41,657. (4) A visual interpretation method based on Google Earth imagery was used to count the number of buildings and number of building floors in the town of Tikhramtath. Based on the estimated population of each building and floor, the population of Tikhramtath town in 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2019 was estimated as 1,790, 2,785, 3,365, and 3,870, respectively. (5) Through analysis and accuracy assessment, the appropriate statistical methods for different regions were determined.

Land surface temperature analysis based on land cover variations using satellite imagery

The remote sensing satellite sensor can not only record the visual appearance of the earth’s surface characteristics but also can capture phenomena that cannot be seen by a human, such as the earth’s surface temperature. Bandung is located at a basin-shaped area and has a variety of land cover, natural and man-made. The diversity of land cover is indicated to have an effect on the characteristics of the land surface temperature recorded by satellite sensing sensor. This assumption then examined by considering the land cover type and the value of land surface temperature as its parameters. This research aims to: 1) Estimating the land surface temperature with digital image processing, 2) Visual interpreting of land cover type based on land surface temperature similarity, and 3) Analyze the level of land surface temperature with a variation of land cover type in the south-western part of Bandung Basin. The visual interpretation method was used to obtain a land cover type with high-resolution image. Whereas the transformation of the Landsat 8 thermal band index is used to acquire the land surface temperature. An analysis was carried out to observe the results of land surface temperature estimation and land cover based on land surface temperature resemblance. Then it is expected to be a consideration in terms of determining policies regarding conversion of land cover from natural to artificial forms indicated as a contributing factor to rising land surface temperatures.

Геоинформационно-картографический анализ изменчивости геосистем юго-западного Забайкалья

A GIS mapping analysis of the geosystems’ changeability in the Minor Khamar-Daban range site (south-western Transbaikalia) was carried out. At the same time, the landscape structure of the territory was analyzed in the view of dynamic, i.e. the structure of the indigenous and variable states of geosystems reflecting the spatial-and-temporal changeability of landscapes. The source of the actual data is the field research of the territory, in which special attention was paid to the dynamic characteristics of geosystems (relief characteristics, species and age structure of the phytocenosis, anthropogenic transformations, etc.). The analysis of the landscape structure was carried out with the methods of visual interpretation and automatic processing spatial information using GIS technologies based on remote sensing data, field expeditionary studies of the landscapes, maps of various contents, as well as literature sources. As a result, a large-scale landscape map was made, as well as a series of analytical maps reflecting the different sides of the geosystems’ changeability. The analysis revealed the presence of a complex spatial-and temporal structure of various dynamic states of geosystems, which is caused both by the influence of various anthropogenic factors and the local conditions of biogeocenoses.

Land use changes and restraining environmental risks via mitigation approach, the case of Darakeh-Velenjak watershed in Iran

Widespread land use changes and unusual uses of highlands in Northern Tehran (Darakeh-Velenjak Watershed) have markedly caused to pose environmental risks and unsustainability. This research aims to study land use changes in Darakeh-Velenjak Watershed, to identify the key risks which can be posed by land use changes, and to present appropriate strategies using mitigation approach. To study land uses changes, satellite images were used (TM 1987, ETM+ 2000, and IRS 2018) and assessed by concentrating on four classes of land including vegetation, arid, roads and built-up areas. To extract the necessary information from the satellite images, Supervised Maximum Likelihood Classification algorithm was used, further complemented by visual interpretation methods. The sample population for conducting the Delphi technique consisted of 34 experts. The results of this research exhibited that from 1987 to 2018, vegetation had dramatically decreased, while arid, roads and built-up areas had increased. The results also revealed that in 1987, around 37.3% of the study area was covered with vegetation while in 2018, less than 14.54% of the area was covered with vegetation. In contrast, built-up, roads and arid areas which respectively covered 8.96%, 1.75%, and 51.99%, increased to 15.18%, 3.19% and 67.08% in 2018. In addition, the results of this study illustrated that key risks of land use changes in the Darakeh-Velenjak Watershed could be divided into natural and human risks. The human risks with an average score of 4.21 were more than natural risks. Finally, strategies have been presented using mitigation approach in the study area. Results revealed that avoidance strategies with an average score of 3.37 were situated in the first rank because unfortunately this watershed has been damaged by excessive land use changes in an aspect of developing buildings, roads, tourism infrastructures and etc.

Effects of Tidal Channels and Roads on Landscape Dynamic Distribution in the Yellow River Delta, China

Landscape characters in estuarine regions generally controlled by tidal regimes and human activities like road construction. In this work, tidal channels and road construction in the Yellow River Delta (YRD) were extracted by visual interpretation methods so as to decipher impacts of tidal channel development and road construction on landscape patch change during 1989–2016. Spatial distribution history of three wetlands, which covered by Phragmites australis (freshwater marsh, FM), Suaeda salsa (salt marsh, SM), and mudflats (MD) were also established. Results indicated that tidal channel, number, frequency, and fractal dimension were all the maximum in 2003, and the minimum in 1998, respectively. Road length, number, and density showed increasing trend during 1989–2016. MD were the predominant landscape type, followed by FM and SM during 1989–2016. Principal component analysis implied two extracted factors, F1 and F2, which could represent 91.93% of the total variations. F1 mainly proxied tidal channel development, while F2 represented road construction. A multiple linear regression analysis showed positive effects of both F1 and F2 on FM patch numbers and negative impacts on SM patch areaes with R2 values of 0.416 and 0.599, respectively. Tidal channels were negatively related to MD patch numbers, while roads were positively related to that. In any case, road construction showed larger impacts on landscape type shifting than that of tidal channel development in the YRD.

Transferability of object-based image analysis approaches for landslide detection in the Himalaya Mountains of northern Pakistan

ABSTRACT A landslide inventory is indispensable for determination of landslide susceptibility, hazard, risk assessment and disaster mitigation strategies. These inventories were traditionally developed using manual digitization of remote sensing images and aerial photographs, and pixel-based image classification. Recently, Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) supersedes visual interpretation and pixel-based methods. OBIA utilizes spectral, textural, contextual, morphological and topographical information in remote sensing images. However, OBIA-based landslide detection methods are often designed for specific areas and remote sensing dataset. The aim of this study is to evaluate the transferability of three published OBIA landslide detection methods for semi-automated landslide detection in the Himalaya mountainous region of northern Pakistan. A SPOT-6 multi-spectral image with Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derivatives, i.e. slope, aspect, hill-shade, relief, elevation and stream network are used for landslide detection using eCognition developer software. The three published methods scale parameters for image segmentation and parameter thresholds are evaluated first. It is observed that the aforementioned methods are not directly applicable to our study area and remote sensing datasets. Therefore, an alternate (proposed) method is developed for semi-automated landslide detection. Accuracy assessment of the selected methods and proposed method is assessed by Precision, Recall and F1 measures. Using the proposed method, a total of 357 landslides are detected with 91.46% Precision, 93.31% Recall and 92.38% F1 measure accuracy.

Визуальная интерпретация в изучении европейской архитектурной графики XVII–XVIII веков

The article deals with the methods of visual interpretation in the context of the problems of “newart history” for the study of works of European drawing and printed graphics of early Modern times. It aims atthe possibilities of expanding the methodological and source base of art studies through the introduction of interdisciplinary approaches to the material. Modern culture generates the new of historicism of thinking focused on the value of memory — from a personal experience and intragroup constant to a social function and collective phenomenon. Actualization of methods of cultural reconstruction and interpretation of visual practices allows usto consider graphics as works of art and as documents of the era, revealing the scope of aesthetic preferences, customer expectations, ideas of landscape design, concepts of the relationship between architecture and nature. The study has introduced the principles of complex analysis of graphic works, and paid special attention to the ideas of visual rhetoric in the interpretation of images of architecture. The role of the customer’s personality, the question of goal-setting in the creation of graphic cycles, and the features of cartography and travelogues raised the issue of social role and political representation in the selection of visual motifs. A new set of approaches to the analysis of the subject field, the principles of interpretation of the composition, and spatial structures of architectural studies have been suggested, restoration materials and historical reconstructions, scientific and book illustrations, graphic“travel” and species engravings, historical and topographic publications. Methods for visual interpretation of the patterns of realization of architectural forms in a chart help to identify a comprehensive principle of existence of such images in European culture 17th‑18th centuries. Appeal to the images of Gothic creates not only a negative assessment of aesthetic features of the style, but the interpretation of the principles of using of motives for rhetorical indications of the antiquity of the tradition and commitment to the ideals of power and faith.