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Research on fusion modeling of high spatial and temporal resolution images typically uses MODIS products at 500 m and 250 m resolution with Landsat images at 30 m, but the effect on results of the date of reference images and the 'mixed pixels' nature of moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) images are not often considered. In this study, we evaluated those effects using the flexible spatiotemporal data fusion model (FSDAF) to generate fusion images with both high spatial resolution and frequent coverage over three cotton field plots in the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. Landsat images of different dates (day-of-year (DOY) 174, 206, and 254, representing early, middle, and end stages of the growing season, respectively) were used as reference images in fusion with two MODIS products (MOD09GA and MOD13Q1) to produce new time-series fusion images with improved temporal sampling over that provided by Landsat alone. The impact on the accuracy of yield estimation of the different Landsat reference dates, as well as the degree of mixing of the two MODIS products, were evaluated. A mixed degree index (MDI) was constructed to evaluate the accuracy and time-series fusion results of the different cotton plots, after which the different yield estimation models were compared. The results show the following: (1) there is a strong correlation (above 0.6) between cotton yield and both the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from Landsat (NDVIL30) and NDVI from the fusion of Landsat with MOD13Q1 (NDVIF250). (2) Use of a mid-season Landsat image as reference for the fusion of MODIS imagery provides a better yield estimation, 14.73% and 17.26% higher than reference images from early or late in the season, respectively. (3) The accuracy of the yield estimation model of the three plots is different and relates to the MDI of the plots and the types of surrounding crops. These results can be used as a reference for data fusion for vegetation monitoring using remote sensing at the field scale.

The objective of this study was to develop a low-cost method for rice growth information obtained quickly using digital images taken with smartphone. A new canopy parameter, namely, the canopy volume parameter (CVP), was proposed and developed for rice using the leaf area index (LAI) and plant height (PH). Among these parameters, the CVP was selected as an optimal parameter to characterize rice yields during the growth period. Rice canopy images were acquired with a smartphone. Image feature parameters were extracted, including the canopy cover (CC) and numerous vegetation indices (VIs), before and after image segmentation. A rice CVP prediction model in which the CC and VIs served as independent variables was established using a random forest (RF) regression algorithm. The results revealed the following. The CVP was better than the LAI and PH for predicting the final yield. And a CVP prediction model constructed according to a local modelling method for distinguishing different types of rice varieties was the most accurate (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.92; root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.44). These findings indicate that digital images can be used to track the growth of crops over time and provide technical support for estimating rice yields.

This study applied Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) multispectral data and ZY1-02D hyperspectral data to map the structural distribution and hydrothermal alteration in the polymetallic ore district in southern Shangri-La City, Yunnan Province, China. The study area hosts several polymetallic deposits, including the Mahuaping tungsten–beryllium deposit, which has significant mineral exploration potential. The deposit type is mainly magmatic–hydrothermal, with average grades of 0.41% WO3 and 0.22% BeO, and substantial reserves, prominently controlled by faults. Based on this, this study employed ASTER data for the visual interpretation of structures through false-color composites combined with DEM data. Additionally, ASTER and ZY1-02D data were processed using the principal component analysis and spectral angle mapper methods to extract anomalies related to tungsten mineralization such as carbonate alteration, sericitization, chloritization, and hematization of the hydrothermal origin. The results indicated that the structural trends in the study area predominantly align in north–south and northeast directions, with alteration anomalies concentrated in the central and fold areas. Our analysis of typical deposits revealed their close association with north–south faults and east–west joints, as well as the enrichment level of alteration anomalies, identifying five high-potential target areas for mineral exploration. Further evaluation involved field validation through the spectral scanning of samples, field verification, and a comparison with known lithology. These assessments confirmed that the spectral curves matched those in the USGS database, the structural interpretations aligned with the field observations (84% accuracy from 25 sampling points, with 21 matching extracted alteration types), and the alteration results corresponded well with the lithological units, indicating high accuracy in alteration extraction. Finally, a comparative discussion highlighted that the results derived from ZY1-02D data were more applicable to the local area. The outcomes of this study can support subsequent mineral exploration efforts, enhancing the sustainability of important mineral resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quick and low cost delineation of site-specific management zones (SSMZ) would improve applications of precision agriculture. In this study, a new method for delineating SSMZ using object-oriented segmentation of airborne imagery was demonstrated. Three remote sensing domains—spectral, spatial, and temporal- are exploited to improve the SSMZ relationship to yield. Common vegetation indices (VI), and first and second derivatives ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) from twelve airborne hyperspectral images of a cotton field for one season [Formula: see text] were used as input layers for object-oriented segmentation. The optimal combination of VI, SSMZ size and crop phenological stage were used as input variables for SSMZ delineation, determined by maximizing the correlation to segmented yield monitor maps. Combining narrow band vegetation indices and object-oriented segmentation provided higher correlation between VI and yield at SSMZ scale than that at pixel scale by reducing multi-resource data noise. VI performance varied during the cotton growing season, providing better SSMZ delineation at the beginning and middle of the season (days after planting (DAP) 66–143).The optimal scale determined for SSMZ delineation was approximately 240 polygons for the study field, but the method also provided flexibility enabling the setting of practical scales for a given field. For a defined scale, the optimal single phenological stage for the study field was near July 11 (DAP 87) early in the growing season. SSMZs determined from multispectral VIs at a single stage were also satisfactory; compared to hyperspectral indices, temporal resolution of multi-spectral data seems more important for SSMZ delineation.

Swarms of self-propelled micromotors can mimic the processes of natural systems and construct artificial intelligent materials to perform complex collective behaviors. Compared to self-propelled Janus micromotors, the isotropic colloid motors, also called micromotors or microswimmers, have advantages in self-assembly to form micromotor swarms, which are efficient in resistance to external disturbance and the delivery of large quantity of cargos. In this minireview, we summarize the fundamental principles and interactions for the assembly of isotropic active particles to generate micromotor swarms. Recent discoveries based on either catalytic or external physical field-stimulated micromotor swarms are also presented. Then, the strategy for the reconstruction and motion control of micromotor swarms in complex environments, including narrow channels, maze, raised obstacles, and high steps/low gaps, is summarized. Finally, we outline the future directions of micromotor swarms and the remaining challenges and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Konawe region in Indonesia, known for its lateritic nickel (Ni) deposits, holds significant potential for obtaining Ni resources. However, the complex topographic conditions of this area pose challenges. Exploring the application of remote sensing technology to reveal the spectral response mechanism of Ni grade from high-precision multispectral data and inversion of Ni grade represents a novel direction in future Ni resource exploration. Traditional remote sensing inversion methods solely consider the spectral characteristics of sample data and ignore vital geospatial location information. As a result, efficiently obtaining regional details of target substance content over large areas has become challenging. The introduction of the geographically weighted regression (GWR) method offers an opportunity for fine-grained Ni grade inversion based on remote sensing. This study focused on the E and K blocks within the lateritic Ni mining area in North Konawe. Through utilizing the WordView-3 multispectral data which exhibits immense potential in quantitative remote sensing inversion studies, GWR was employed to integrate spectral features and spatial information. The goal was to reveal the correlation between multispectral remote sensing data and Ni grade. The obtained results were then compared and analyzed with multiple linear regression (MLR) and back propagation neural network (BPNN) models. The findings revealed that GWR achieved the highest coefficient of determination R2 of 0.96, surpassing MLR and BPNN values of 0.05 and 0.17, respectively. Additionally, GWR exhibited the lowest root mean square error of 0.04, which was lower than those of MLR and BPNN with the values of 0.25 and 0.23, respectively. These results confirmed the enhanced stability and accuracy of the GWR method compared to MLR and BPNN. Furthermore, GWR effectively mapped the spatial distribution trends of Ni grades in the study area, providing evidence of the method's effectiveness in Ni grade inversion. The study also delved into the inversion effect of the GWR method in areas with varying weathering crust thickness and vegetation cover. The research revealed that higher values of weathering crust thickness negatively impacted the inversion effect. However, the influence mechanism of vegetation cover on Ni grade inversion necessitated further investigation. These results served as a significant demonstration of the remote sensing inversion of mineral resource grades in similar areas. They provided valuable insights for future exploration and decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]