Evaluating exposure to land degradation in association with repetitive armed conflicts in North Lebanon using multi-temporal satellite data

Repetitive armed conflicts may be directly and indirectly responsible for severe biophysical modification to the environment. This, in turn, makes land more susceptible to degradation. Mapping and monitoring land degradation are essential for designing and implementing post-conflict recovery plans and informed policy decisions. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of repetitive armed conflicts on land degradation along the coastal zone of North Lebanon using multi-temporal satellite data. The specific objectives were to (1) identify a list of indicators for use in conjunction with satellite remote sensing, (2) monitor land cover change throughout repetitive events of armed conflicts and (3) model the effect of repetitive armed conflicts on land degradation. The methodology of work comprised the use of multi-temporal Landsat images and literature review data in GEographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) approach. The work resulted in the development of (1) a list of indicators to be employed, (2) land cover change detection maps with the use of multi-temporal Landsat images and, consequently, a fire risk associated with changes in vegetation cover throughout repetitive armed conflict events, and (3) an integrated approach for modelling the effect of repetitive armed conflicts on land degradation with the use of a composite land degradation index (CLDI). The final synthetic map showed four classes of exposure to land degradation associated with repetitive armed conflicts. Data collected from field visits showed that the final classification results highly reflected (average of 90 %) the effect of repetitive armed conflicts on the different classes of exposure to land degradation.     

Multivariate characterization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using semi-empirical molecule orbital calculations and physical data

Multivariate characterization of 60 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was performed using data from literature and semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations. This dataset was analyzed by principal component analysis and projections to latent structures by means of partial least square. The PAHs were found to distribute in the chemical domain in several groups mainly governed by the number of aromatic rings and the number of five-membered rings. The multivariate model and training set was used to predict GC retention times on a non-polar column (DB-5). Using a 2(4) experimental design on the principal components of the chemical characterization model, a test set of PAHs was selected dependent on the distribution in the chemical domain of the PAHs. Such a test set is expected to improve selection of PAHs for future testing and modeling of both biological and chemical responses. Although the model of GC retention times was good, the precision was however not good enough for practical use.     

Optimal Harvesting of the Norwegian Spring-Spawning Herring: Variable Versus Fixed Harvesting Strategies

In this paper we study optimal harvesting of the Norwegian spring-spawning herring stock. The biological model is described by a discrete time age-structured model. The optimal harvesting patterns are studied numerically and the results show that when using a linear cost function and constant price in the optimisation model, the optimal harvesting pattern is pulse fishing. However, optimal constant fishing effort gives only slightly lower profit. Moreover, when price is made responsive to harvest the optimal harvesting strategy is substantially smoothed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Research progress on electromagnetic radiation in gas-containing coal and rock fracture and its applications

This paper reviews the status quo of the research on electromagnetic radiation in gas-containing coal and rock fracture. It focuses mainly on the electromagnetic radiation phenomena, the generation mechanism, characteristics, law of change and experimental applications in the field. Based on the authors’ research work in the past decade, detailed discussions are made with respect to the engineering applications of electromagnetic radiation spectrum, law of transmission and signal collection of gas-containing coal and rock. Furthermore, the paper gives the prospect of electromagnetic radiation effects in coal and rock fracture and its applications.