Time series of brightness temperature (TB) measurement obtained at various frequencies by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer–Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) are investigated to determine ice phenology parameters and ice thickness on Great Bear Lake (GBL) and Great Slave Lake (GSL), Northwest Territories, Canada. TB measurements from the 6.9, 10.7, 18.7, 23.8, 36.5, and 89.0 GHz channels (H- and V- polarization) are compared to assess their potential for detecting freeze-onset (FO)/melt-onset (MO), ice-on/ice-off dates, and ice thickness on both lakes. The sensitivity of TB measurements at 6.9, 10.7, and 18.7 GHz to ice thickness is also examined using a previously validated thermodynamic lake ice model and the most recent version of the Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) model, which accounts for the presence of a lake-ice layer under snow. This study shows that 18.7 GHz H-pol is the most suitable AMSR-E channel for detecting ice phenology events, while 18.7 GHz V-pol is preferred for estimating lake ice thickness on the two large northern lakes. These two channels therefore form the basis of new ice cover retrieval algorithms. The algorithms were applied to map monthly ice thickness products and all ice phenology parameters on GBL and GSL over seven ice seasons (2002-2009). Through application of the algorithms much was learned about the spatio-temporal dynamics of ice formation, decay and growth rate/thickness on the two lakes. Key results reveal that: 1) both FO and ice-on dates occur on average 10 days earlier on GBL than on GSL; 2) the freeze-up process or freeze duration (FO to ice-on) takes a comparable amount of time on both lakes (two to three weeks); 3) MO and ice-off dates occur on average one week and approximately four weeks later, respectively, on GBL; 4) the break-up process or melt duration (MO to ice-off) lasts for an equivalent period of time on both lakes (six to eight weeks); 5) ice cover duration is about three to four weeks longer on GBL compared to its more southern counterpart (GSL); and 6) end-of-winter ice thickness (April) on GBL tends to be on average 5-15 cm thicker than on GSL, but with both spatial variations across lakes and differences between years.

No description available.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 82 pages. / Thesis (M.S.E.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: Image quality measures are used to optimize image processing algorithms and evaluate their performances. The only reliable way to assess image quality is subjective evaluation by human observers, where the mean value of their scores is used as the quality measure. This is known as mean opinion score (MOS). In addition to this measure there are various objective (quantitative) measures. Most widely used quantitative measures are: mean squared error (MSE), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and signal to noise ratio (SNR). Since these simple measures do not always produce results that are in agreement with subjective evaluation, many other quality measures have been proposed. They are mostly various modifications of MSE, which try to take into account some properties of human visual system (HVS) such as nonlinear character of brightness perception, contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and texture masking. / ABSTRACT: In these approaches quality measure is computed as MSE of input image intensities or frequency domain coefficients obtained after some transform (DFT, DCT etc.), weighted by some coefficients which account for the mentioned properties of HVS. These measures have some advantages over MSE, but their ability to predict image quality is still limited. A different approach is presented here. Quality measure proposed here uses simple model of HVS, which has one user-defined parameter, whose value depends on the reference image. This quality measure is based on the average value of locally computed correlation coefficients. This takes into account structural similarity between original and distorted images, which cannot be measured by MSE or any kind of weighted MSE. The proposed measure also differentiates between random and signal dependant distortion, because these two have different effect on human observer. / ABSTRACT: This is achieved by computing the average correlation coefficient between reference image and error image. Performance of the proposed quality measure is illustrated by examples involving images with different types of degradation. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

<p><font face="Arial"> <p align="left">The aim of this study is to compare proximal caries depth on unenhanced storage phosphor plate images and conventional film images. The phosphor plate images were then copied by increasing and decreasing both contrast and brightness respectively. The enhanced phosphor plate images were compared with the unenhanced storage phosphor plate images and conventional film images for the detection of proximal caries diagnosis.</p> </font></p>

Time series of brightness temperature (TB) measurement obtained at various frequencies by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer–Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) are investigated to determine ice phenology parameters and ice thickness on Great Bear Lake (GBL) and Great Slave Lake (GSL), Northwest Territories, Canada. TB measurements from the 6.9, 10.7, 18.7, 23.8, 36.5, and 89.0 GHz channels (H- and V- polarization) are compared to assess their potential for detecting freeze-onset (FO)/melt-onset (MO), ice-on/ice-off dates, and ice thickness on both lakes. The sensitivity of TB measurements at 6.9, 10.7, and 18.7 GHz to ice thickness is also examined using a previously validated thermodynamic lake ice model and the most recent version of the Helsinki University of Technology (HUT) model, which accounts for the presence of a lake-ice layer under snow. This study shows that 18.7 GHz H-pol is the most suitable AMSR-E channel for detecting ice phenology events, while 18.7 GHz V-pol is preferred for estimating lake ice thickness on the two large northern lakes. These two channels therefore form the basis of new ice cover retrieval algorithms. The algorithms were applied to map monthly ice thickness products and all ice phenology parameters on GBL and GSL over seven ice seasons (2002-2009). Through application of the algorithms much was learned about the spatio-temporal dynamics of ice formation, decay and growth rate/thickness on the two lakes. Key results reveal that: 1) both FO and ice-on dates occur on average 10 days earlier on GBL than on GSL; 2) the freeze-up process or freeze duration (FO to ice-on) takes a comparable amount of time on both lakes (two to three weeks); 3) MO and ice-off dates occur on average one week and approximately four weeks later, respectively, on GBL; 4) the break-up process or melt duration (MO to ice-off) lasts for an equivalent period of time on both lakes (six to eight weeks); 5) ice cover duration is about three to four weeks longer on GBL compared to its more southern counterpart (GSL); and 6) end-of-winter ice thickness (April) on GBL tends to be on average 5-15 cm thicker than on GSL, but with both spatial variations across lakes and differences between years.

Depuis deux décennies, la modernisation des techniques d’imagerie de fluorescence a permis decomprendre et d’étudier de nombreux processus biologiques. Ce formidable essor a néanmoins étéralenti par les faibles performances des sondes fluorescentes disponibles pour ce type d’imagerie. Cemanque d’objets luminescents a motivé des recherches intenses dans le but d’optimiser les sondesmoléculaires fluorescentes déjà existantes afin de leur permettre d’être plus fluorescentes, mais aussiplus stables. En parallèle à ces optimisations, l’avancée des nanotechnologies à permis de développerde nouveaux outils pour l’imagerie biologique. Du fait de leurs propriétés optiques, de leur excellentephotostabilité, ainsi que la possibilité de fonctionnaliser leur surface, les nanoparticules semiconductrices(QDs) ont connu un succès phénoménal dans les domaines de l’imagerie. Au fur et àmesure de leur utilisation, de nombreuses questions partiellement élucidées sur la toxicité des QDs ontémergé. Dans le but de proposer une alternative aux QDs, de nombreux groupes de recherche onttravaillé sur la préparation de nanoparticules (ONPs) à base de molécules organiques, ce qui a mis finà l’hégémonie des QDs en imagerie biologique. Parmi ces ONPs, les nanoparticules fluorescentes àbase de molécules organiques (FONs) se sont imposées comme des candidats sérieux pour sonder levivant. Dans cette optique, nous développons de nouveaux chromophores qui, par un designmoléculaire adapté, peuvent former des FONs avec des brillances à un et deux photons comparables àcelle des QDs tout en étant biocompatibles. / Since decades, bioimaging technics increased a lot, thus leading to a better understanding of biologicalprocesses. However, the fluorescence imaging was limited due to the low photostability and brightnessof available organic dyes. In order to improve the lack of photostability and brightness of thecommercially available dyes, lots of effort was done by organic chemists. In the mean time with theincoming of nanotechnologies, new tools such as the semi-conductors QDs raised as promisingluminescent probes for bioimaging. Due to their intrinsic properties, QDs are bright and photostablenano-objects, furthermore, the labeling of the surface of the QDs is of interest for targeting (such asthe detection of cancer cells). Despite their popularity, with time, issues about the clearance and thetoxicity of the QDs have been adressed and are still not fully solved. So the development of safer andbiocompatible tools for bioimaging emerged as evidence for scientists. In that context, the use ofnanoparticles made of organic materials gain in interest and particularly the fluorescent organicnanoparticles (FONs). We aimed to propose biocompatible and safer alternative to QDs, so wedeveloped new nanotools, based on the self aggregation of propeller-shaped fluorophores as FONs.Because of the specific design of the chromophores, these FONs have large one and two-photonbrightness combine with good photostability. These features made these FONs promising tools foreither one-photon and two-photon fluorescence imaging in cells and in vivo.

Light pollution is currently one of the environmental problems of human society. With the technological development and the increase of the human population on the planet, the landscape is constantly increasing the emission of disturbing light into the surrounding area during the night. The largest producer of light pollution is the urban and suburban regions where light spreads to several decades away, increasing the brightness of the sky, as well as rural or nature-close landscapes. Exposure to disturbing light has a demonstrably unfavorable effect on human, animal and plant health as well as on the balance of whole ecosystems. In this work I focus on finding and assessing the state of sky brightness in the interest zone of the observatory of Astronomical Institute AV at Ondřejov. Based on my own data measured in the field during nine night excursions, I created an interpolated map of ArcMap 10.2 and, according to directional measurements, interpreted the main polluters in this area. The results clearly show a clear trend to reduce the sky's brightness from the northwest to the east. The measurements also show that the local sources of obstrusive light near Ondřejov have a slight influence on the overall zenith brightness of the sky compared to the presence of Prague, several miles away....

This master's thesis deals with the analysis of comparison the results of experimental measurements of visibility with the software Dohľadnosť 2.0. Based on the specifications obtained by measuring in the field evaluates, whether the results acquired from the software by simulating an identical situation are consistent and therefore applicable for an expertise activities in solving the analysis of road-traffic accident.

Vid TCF-blekning av pappersmassa är väteperoxid en av huvudkemikalierna. I dagsläget är det svårt att styra blekstegen. Operatörerna måste ta hänsyn till produktionstakt, blekbarheten på massan varierar och fördröjning i trender. PO-bleksteget på Södra Cell Värö har en ungefärlig uppehållstid på 4 timmar och det är först efter så lång tid som man kan se hur en förändring verkligen slår igenom. Överblekning kostar väldigt mycket i kemikalieåtgång och det är därför efterfrågat ett sätt att kunna styra och optimera peroxidblekningssteget. Ett delsteg för detta var att simulera steget experimentellt och från dessa data ta fram en matematisk modell som förutsäger ljusheten. Massa togs ut från fabriken och blektes på labb under kontrollerade förhållanden med satsningar liknande verkliga i fabriken. De parametrar som studerades på labb var temperatur, väteperoxidsats och alkalisats då de påverkar ljusheten mest. En modell för ljushetsökning anpassades sedan till framtagna blekdata. Ekvationer för förbrukning av väteperoxid och hydroxidjoner togs också fram från analyser på blekfiltraten. Med ingående parametrar som startkoncentrationer av kemikalier, temperatur och massakoncentration förutsäger modellen ljusheten väl vid verifiering jämfört med fabrik och verifieringsblekning på labb. Modellen ligger något högre jämfört med fabrik men det var förväntat då förhållanden på labb ger ett renare system. För de parametrar som studerats anpassade sig modellen bra till förändringar och vid verifiering på labb syntes att modellen även svarade med en korrekt ljushet vid förändring i massakoncentration och ingående ljushet i steget. / During TCF-bleaching of pulp, hydrogen peroxide is one of the main chemicals. Today it is difficult to control the bleaching stages. The process operators must consider the production rate, changes in the bleach ability of the pulp and delays of trends in the control system. The PO-bleaching stage at Södra Cell Värö has approximately a retention time of four(4) hours and it is first after that, a result of a change in the process can be seen. Overbleaching is expensive due to high chemical need and therefore it is requested to find a way to control and optimize the peroxide bleaching stage. One way to do this was too simulate the stage experimentally and from those kinetic data accomplish a mathematical model that predicts the brightness increase of the pulp. Pulp from the mill was bleached at the laboratory under controlled conditions and with charges similar to what are used in the plant. The parameters that were studied at lab were temperature, hydrogen peroxide charge and alkali charge as they affect the brightness mostly. A model for brightness increase was adjusted to the achieved bleaching data. Equations for consumption of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxide anions were also developed from analyses of the bleaching filtrates.  From the start parameters, as concentration of the chemicals, temperature and pulp concentration, the model predicts the brightness well according to verification of data from mill and verification bleaching at laboratory. The value from the model is somewhat higher compared to that of the plant but that was expected due to the fact that the conditions at lab give a cleaner system. For those parameters that were studied, the model did adjust well to changes made and according to the verification at lab it was seen that the model also worked for changes in pulp concentration and different brightness at the beginning of the stage.

This research paper is discussing light, and brightness in particular, in terms of perception, taking Odenplan as a case study.Some links between light characteristics and behaviour patterns, such as lingering, have been made, raising the discussion about the qualities of the artificial lighting that would add to convivial urban spaces at nighttime, attempting at differentiating between how people think they would behave and how they actually behave in a public square, and the impact of artificial lighting on public tendencies, suggesting if people feel comfortable and safe in the space, then they tend to perceive the space brighter. The research has shown that it is hard to draw conclusions when it comes to perceived qualities of light. Different research methods have been used with the intention of suggesting a methodology to be explored by others, including literature review, empirical study, informal interviews and word association survey.