ASSESSMENT OF GEOMETRIC ACCURACY OF VHR SATELLITE IMAGES

VHR images of earths ’ surface are more frequently used and taken advantage of in substitution to aerial photographs. Geometric dependences of creation orthophoto based on aerial photos are known and distinguished from images of VHR. Results of work led are presented in this article within the confines of an investigative project under the Committee of Scientific Research of Poland concerning the geometric mechanism of VHR images and corrections. Two test fields have been made up for this project (city, country and mountain terrain). For those test fields, images from IKONOS, QuickBird were ordered. In the conducted research the angle of the axes was take into consideration: 0 ° – 15 ° In each test field area, after the identification of control points on the VHR images, about 30 – 90 GCP have been measured with GPS in accuracy of 10 cm. For image geometric corrections in this project two types of available DTM models in Poland have been applied with varying accuracy. Geometric correction have been realized with the aid of generally available software as PCI Geomatica 9 with taking into consideration RPC method and camera ( rigorous) model. Throughout the work investigated, in each of the individual scenes of VHR various distribution and number of GCP was utilized for the process of orthorectification. Accuracy of orthorectification process received in result of led work, for VHR images at different configuration of geometry and methodology. Detailed results of experiments allow determining the optimal foundation for different methods of geometric corrections from IKONOS, QuickBird images and establishing effective process of dependence and defining geometric accuracy for different applications. 1

Towards the noise reduction of piezoelectrical-driven synthetic jet actuators

This paper details an experimental investigation aimed at reducing the noise output of piezoelectrical-driven synthetic jet actuators without compromising peak jet velocity. Specifically, the study considers double-chamber ('back-to-back') actuators for anti-phase noise suppression and corrugated-lobed orifices as a method to enhance turbulent mixing of the jets to suppress jet noise. The study involved the design, manufacture and bench test of interchangeable actuator hardware. Hot-wire anemometry and microphone recordings were employed to acquire velocity and noise measurements respectively for each chamber configuration and orifice plate across a range of excitation frequencies and for a fixed input voltage. The data analysis indicated a 32% noise reduction (20 dBA) from operating a singlechamber, circular orifice SJA to a double-chamber, corrugated-lobed orifice SJA at the Helmholtz resonant frequency. Results also showed there was a small reduction in peak jet velocity of 7% (~3 m/s) between these two cases based on orifices of the same discharge area. Finally, the electrical-to-fluidic power conversion efficiency of the double-chamber actuator was found to be 15% across all orifice designs at the resonant frequency; approximately double the efficiency of a single-chamber actuator. This work has thus demonstrated feasible gains in noise reduction and power efficiency through synthetic jet actuator design

Priorities for Reducing Phosphorus Loadings and Abating Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin: Opportunities and Challenges for Improving Great Lakes Aquatic Ecosystems

The impact of phosphorus loadings to the Great Lakes is once again threatening the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem. These impacts are especially pronounced in nearshore areas and embayments, which are often the most ecologically productive and diverse areas of the system. Algal blooms fed by excessive phosphorus from various nonpoint and point sources are occurring in each of the Great Lakes, but especially Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron, Green Bay on Lake Michigan and nearshore areas of Lake Ontario. In western Lake Erie the re-emergence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in recent years has been especially troubling, coming after nearly two decades of little or no occurrence of these blooms. As a result of this alarming trend, the Great Lakes Commission adopted a resolution, Nutrient Management in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin, on October 12, 2011. This resolution, included as Appendix A, underscored the seriousness of the problem and called for the establishment of a Phosphorus Reduction Task Force consisting of members from each state and province in the Great Lakes region. The states and provinces appointed members to the Task Force in November 2011. The Task Force included representatives from environmental protection, natural resource and agricultural agencies; a list of Task Force members is included as Appendix B. The Task Force’s charge was to develop phosphorus reduction recommendations to guide the Commission’s work in this critically important area. The specific charge to the Task Force included: 1. Developing a suite of recommendations for federal, state and provincial actions to reduce phosphorus loadings to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, focused on priorities for clean water infrastructure, research, technical assistance, and outreach and education; 2. Reviewing opportunities for expanding and enhancing programs under the 2012 Farm Bill to reduce phosphorus and improve nutrient management for water quality improvement; and 3. Investigating opportunities to address critical nutrient management issues by working more closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its technical committees in each state. This report addresses the first two of these charges. Task three is ongoing and will be informed by the recommendations in this report. When received by the Commission at its 2012 Annual Meeting, this report will guide interactions with the state technical committees and similar bodies in Ontario and Québec. While completing the programs report, the Task Force considered how to best present the priority issues facing the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin related to phosphorus loadings and impacts. Ultimately, it decided to prepare in-depth summaries describing emerging issues, unmet needs and unanswered questions on the following topics: 1. Phosphorus issues related to nonpoint source pollution; 2. Phosphorus issues related to point source pollution; and 3. Phosphorus issues related to product formulation, innovation, research and regulation. This report is presented as a product of the Phosphorus Reduction Task Force of the Great Lakes Commission. The Commission appreciates the valuable contributions from the Task Force members, their expertise and the time they devoted to reviewing this report as it was prepared