RESEARCH PROJECTS
An Ontology-based Framework for Formulating Spatio-Temporal Influenza (Flu) Outbreaks from Twitter
This web-based prototype software framework (Fluwitter) performs pseudo real-time detection of influenza outbreaks from Twitter in space and time. The server side system is composed of a PostGIS spatial database, a GeoServer instance, a web application for visualizing influenza maps and daemon applications for tweet streaming, pre-processing of data, semantic information extraction based on DBpediaSpotlight and WS4J, and geo-processing. The collected geo-tagged tweets are processed by semantic NLP techniques for detecting and extracting influenza related tweets. Identified influenza tweets are presented on a web GIS interface as daily influenza maps.
Screenshots of Fluwitter
Relationship between Leaf Area Index (LAI) estimated by terrestrial LiDAR and remotely sensed vegetation indices as a proxy to forest carbon sequestration
The research uses a terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), also known as ground-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) which has been used as an alternative indirect method for quantifying aboveground biomass and LAI. The aim of this project is to generate estimates of tree leaf area based on small-footprint LiDAR-derived measurements and to quantify the uncertainty associated with the parameter estimates in the prediction of LAI using Bayesian Inference. The integration of Bayesian inference with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation with Gibbs sampling is used to estimate the uncertainty.
Point cloud data, spherical projection, and hemispherical projection
Terrestrial scanning of a forest stand
Web-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) for hydraulic fracturing in a shale gas region in Ohio
The main objective of this tool is to demonstrate a web-based SDSS tool for assisting policy-makers in choosing suitable areas for hydraulic fracturing based on participants' input. The proposed web-based SDSS tool will enable the public to express their concerns as well as to participate in the communications and consensus building process through manipulating the trade-offs between environmental and economic implications from hydraulic fracturing activities in Ohio. The potential users of this tool are the residents who live in the study area, policy makers, stakeholders, and other participants that show interest in the problem.
Screenshots of the web-based SDSS tool
A web-based Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) framework intended for offshore wind suitability analysis
The PGIS prototype integrates GIS and decision-making tools that are intended to involve different stakeholders and the public for solving complex planning problems and building consensus. Public involvement from the early planning stage of projects with a spatial nature is very important for future legitimacy and acceptance of these projects. Therefore, developing and executing a system that facilitates effective public involvement for resolving contentious issues can help in fostering long-lasting agreements. The prototype is a distributed and asynchronous PGIS that combines a discussion forum, a mapping tool and a decision tool.
Screenshots of the web-based Participatory Geographic Information System
Thesis is available here
SDSS for mobile and tablet devices
This research focused on developing Android applications for SDSS for mobile and tablet devices. In particular we are developing a mobile application that integrated GIS capabilities and Multi-Criteria Evaluation analysis .
Screenshots of the android based SDSS for mobile and tablet devices
A group-based SDSS for wind farm site selection in Northwest Ohio
The multiple criteria evaluation (MCE) prototype system is intended for regional planning but also for promoting group decision making that could involve participants with different interests in the development of decision alternatives. The framework integrates environmental and economic criteria and builds a hierarchy for wind farm siting using weighted linear combination (WLC) techniques and GIS functionality. The SDSS allows the multiple participants to interact and develop an understanding of the spatial data for assigning importance values to each factor.
SDSS process and decision process hierarchy
Landslide detection and susceptibility mapping using LiDAR and ANN modeling: Cuyahoga River Valley, Ohio
This study detects shallow landslides using hillshade maps derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The landslide susceptibility mapping used an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach and back propagation method that was tested in the northern portion of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) located in Northeast Ohio. The relationship between landslides and different predictor attributes extracted from the LiDAR-based-DEM such as slope, profile and plan curvatures, upslope drainage area, annual solar radiation, and wetness index was evaluated using a Geographic Information System (GIS) based investigation.