Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Chemistry, December 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 72-78).

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2005. / Title from title screen. Zhi-Yong Yin, committee chair; Paul Knapp, Truman Hartshorn, committee members. Electronic text (135 p. : col. ill., col. maps)) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Aug. 2, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-133).

Bibliography: leaves 206-263. The aim of this project was to develop tools to assist in the construction of the ovine genome map so economic trait loci in sheep can be identified. (abstract)

Field measures were combined with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images to evaluate the use of radar for estimating temporal biomass and mapping of aquatic vegetation in the lower Amazon. A SAR-based methodology was developed for quantification of the annual net primary productivity (NPP) of aquatic vegetation. The predictable monomodal flooding cycle of the floodplain is the primary control of the growth pattern of the aquatic vegetation. The total biomass increased steadily from November to August following the hydrological cycle. However, the above water biophysical properties of the canopy remained constant all year around, except in November. By November, when the water level started to rise, new leaves and nodes were formed; the backscattering values were on average -12 and -l4dB for RADARS AT and JERS-1, respectively. By April, a full canopy was developed, remaining constant due to the high turn over rate of leaves. By August, the water level quickly receded, the senescent stage began, the plant water content decreased, and the stems bent, changing from an almost vertical orientation. From April onwards the backscattering coefficientes were on average -7 and -9.5 dB, respectively. The spatial variability of the canopy biophysical properties was detectable with radar data. Significant correlation existed between backscattering coefficients and above water dry biomass, height, and percentage of canopy cover. The logarithmic relationship between backscattering coefficients and biomass suggested that ( 1 ) at low biomass, high transmissivity of the microwave radiation through the vegetation canopy occurred and the backscattering was a result of quasi-specular reflection of both C and L bands and a minor contribution of canopy volume scattering from C band; (2) at intermediate levels of biomass, moderate changes in backscattering values occurred and the backscattering saturation point was reached at 470, 660, and 620 gm⁻², for C band, L band, and the index, respectively; and (3) at high biomass, the transmissivity of C and L band radiation was equally attenuated and backscattering approached similar values for both. The derived index [special characters omitted] combines the capabilities of both C and L bands providing an empirical model for estimating above water biomass [special characters omitted] with the highest R² (0.67), the lowest root mean square error (34%), and an intermediate saturation point. The despeckled composite SAR images (C and L bands from the same season) were classified using a region-based approach. Complementary information of the satellites yielded classification accuracy higher than 95% for vegetated areas of the floodplain. The seasonal thematic classification yielded an estimate of the length of inundation of different regions of the floodplain. Regions under flooded conditions of at least 300 days yr⁻¹ were colonized predominantly by the aquatic vegetation, Hymenachne amplexicaulis; the tree-like aquatic plant, Montrichartia arborescens; and some shrub-like trees. Secondary colonizers such as Cecropia sp., Pseudobombax munguba, and Astrycaryum jauari, which are tall well-developed flooded forest, colonized regions with inundation periods of approximately 150 days yr⁻¹. Climax forest colonized regions with inundation periods of approximately 60 days yr⁻¹. The combination of the mapped area of seasonal aquatic vegetation with the SAR derived-biomass estimation allowed the calculation of the seasonal total biomass. By November, the new generation of aquatic vegetation started to develop; total biomass in the area was O.l x lO⁻¹² g. The steady growth of vegetation yielded a total biomass of 1.5 x 10⁻¹² g in an area of 395 km² in May. From May onwards, with the water receding, some plants detached from the sediment and were carried towards the Amazon River. Consequently, by August, both area and total biomass decreased to 281km² and 5 x lO⁻¹¹g, respectively. Any estimate of total biomass had a margin of error of at least 18%. After correction for seasonal biomass loss, the estimated annual NPP was 6350gm⁻² or 4.l x l0⁻¹²g for the entire area. Despite the smaller dimensions and the C3 photosynthetic pathway of the dominant H. amplexicaulis, its estimated productivity was comparable to the values reported for the most productive aquatic vegetation of the Amazon floodplain, and other aquatic plants colonizing wetlands worldwide. The estimated NPP of the aquatic vegetation yielded a total carbon uptake of 1.9 x l0⁻¹² g C yr⁻¹. Calculations based on the estimated area of each habitat of the floodplain, and the productivity data suggested in the literature, resulted in a net carbon productivity from flooded forest, phytoplankton, and periphyton of 0.35 x l0⁻¹²gC yr⁻¹, 0.22 x l0⁻¹²g C yr⁻¹, 0.07 x 10⁻¹² g C yr⁻¹, respectively. The total combined autochthonous annual net productivity of the study area was 2.5 x 10⁻¹² g C, of which 75% was from C3 aquatic plants. This study represents the first attempt to develop a method to use SAR and field data for estimating spatial and temporal variations in biomass of aquatic vegetation from a natural floodplain. / Graduate

Maps are among the oldest and the most popular forms of graphical communication, which have always been highly regarded for high efficiency of information transfer. Regardless of how efficient two-dimensional maps are, three-dimensional interactive maps offer significant improvements and benefits over their traditional counterparts. While the enabling technologies for three-dimensional (3D) mapping have been ready for some time, and the benefits are significant, one might expect that a wide adoption of threedimensional maps should already be happening. However, for some reason, the transition to 3D cartography is not happening as quickly and effectively, as would be allowed by the technological and social conditioning. In this work we discuss three-dimensional interactive maps in depth from both the theoretical and practical perspective, as well as show the benefits for a number of applications, and identify some of the factors that inhibit their popularization. We define 3D maps and threedimensional cartography, and discuss its relations with the broader discipline of geovisualization. We demonstrate that more 3D cartographic research would benefit users of maps, as well as those of GIS and geovisualization products. Three-dimensional maps are such a broad subject, and they encompass so many different things, that hard definitions are difficult. That is why we use a technical description and propose a set of functional factors that differentiate, describe and define threedimensional maps, instead of trying to provide a single narrow definition. We also discuss and validate various cartographic, functional, practical and technical aspects of three-dimensional maps, by a practical exercise of implementation of a 3D mapping platform. The platform developed, called the 3D Map Viewer, is used to demonstrate the usefulness of 3D maps, and discuss a number of applications where they offer benefits over the existing approaches. By applying our platform to different tasks we also prove that efficient 3D mapping products may be built today, without a need for further technological progress. We believe that the adoption of 3D cartography would benefit a widerange of users, and that it has a potential to stimulate progress in numerous disciplines of business, life and science. It is our objective to contribute to widespread recognition of three-dimensional maps’ usefulness, and to adhere to their continued development and popularization.

This thesis describes automated cartographic name placement using rule-based systems. In particular it describes the problem involved with designing a system which is flexible enough to place names on a variety of maps. This is demonstrated using logic programming techniques written in PROLOG. Most previous name placement systems are either map specific or have demonstrated only a few aspects of name placement. However two of these systems, which use the rule-based approach for solving the name placement problem, do show greater flexibility. Nevertheless all known results from these seem unsophisticated when compared to many manually produced maps. This thesis describes further research into the use of rule-based systems. The systems described have the capability to handle a wider range of maps of greater complexity. Also described is a procedural program which implements an iterative strategy for name placement on the Ordnance Survey Route Planner map. The research attempts to classify label positions and configurations used on a wide range of maps and discusses ways of implementing these in an automated name placement system. A range of name placement rules are also studied in order to decide what type of data a flexible automated name placement system must be able to access. A combined vector and raster data structure approach is adopted. This supplies the necessary "visual" information needed to apply most of the name placement rules. Name placement and database primitives are used to construct the high level rules which make up the rule-based systems. This work has been undertaken in collaboration with the Ordnance Survey. The procedural name placement program, capable of placing names on the 1:625000 Route Planner map, has been implemented at their headquarters.

No description available.