Accuracy Assessment FAQ Metadata

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Frequently-anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How should this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
  8. What biological taxa does this data set concern?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Remotes Sensing and GIS Group, Denver, Colorado, Unpublished Material, Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project Accuracy Assessment Points.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/zion/zionaa.zip>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -113.227785

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -112.860339

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.508144

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.120839

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Zion National Park and environs

3. What does it look like?

   <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/zion/images/zionaa.pdf> (PDF)

   Locations of accuracy assessment sites; low resolution for web browsing.

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Calendar_Date: 2001

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Entity point (1256)

   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

      UTM_Zone_Number: 12

      Transverse_Mercator:

      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996

      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -111

      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0

      False_Easting: 500000

      False_Northing: 0

      Planar coordinates are encoded using Coordinate Pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000064
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000064
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Attributes were either generated by ArcInfo or assigned by the USBR Remote Sensing GIS Group.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project Final Report (DOI - USGS/USBR).

   zion_aa_pts

   Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project: Accuracy Assessment Vegetation Coverage Point Attribute Table. (Source: Dan Cogan USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group.)

   %_BEDROCK

   Percent cover of exposed bedrock. (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_LITTER

   Percent cover of litter and duff. (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_LROCKS

   Percent cover of large rocks (cobbles, boulders > 10 cm). (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_OTHER

   Percent cover of any other unvegetated surface. (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_SAND

   Percent cover of sand (0.1-2 mm). (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_SOIL

   Percent cover of bare soil. (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_SROCKS

   Percent cover of small rocks (gravel, 0.2-10 cm). (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_WATER

   Percent cover of standing water. (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_WOOD

   Percent cover of dead and down wood. (Source: NatureServe Accuracy Assessment Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   ASPECT

   Average aspect of the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews)

   Value	Definition
   N	North
   NE	North East
   E	East
   SE	Southeast
   S	South
   SW	Southwest
   W	West
   NW	Northwest
   Variable	Flat or Undulating

   CLASS_NAME

   NVC classified plant association name as determined by the NatureServe Regional Ecologists. (Source: NatureServe)

   Textual class name.

   COMMENTS

   General comments about the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual of other general description.

   CORRECT_X

   Corrected (Final) UTM X Value. (Source: Field Crews - GPS Units and USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   Numerical of X universal transverse mercator location description.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Meters

   CORRECT_Y

   Corrected (Final) UTM Y Value. (Source: Field Crews - GPS Units and USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   Numerical of Y universal transverse mercator location description.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Meters

   COWARDIN

   The USFWS system which best describes the hydrology and landform or the accuracy assessment point. "Upland" is used if the system is not a wetland. (Source: Cowardian et al. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory.)

   Textual cowadrin classification description.

   DATE

   Date that the Accuracy Assessment Point was completed in the field. (Source: Field Crews)

   Numerical of the date the plot was observed.

   DISTURB

   General comments about any visible disturbance. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual description of other disturbance.

   ELCODE

   NVC Code to Classified Plant Association. (Source: NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical code.

   ELEV_UNITS

   Elevation Units used to record the elevation of the Accuracy Assessment Point. (Source: Field Crews)

   Value	Definition
   1	meters
   2	feet

   ELEVATION

   Elevation of the Accuracy Assessment Points. (Source: Field Crews - GPS Units)

   Textual of elevation description.

   ENVIRO

   General environmental comments about the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual of environment description.

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

   Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

   GPS_FILE

   GPS error readings and file number/code for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews)

   Values may represent one or more of the following: 1. +/- xx indicates GPS error in meters, 2. x.x may indicate GPS error in meters, 3. xxx may indicate downloadable GPS file names.

   GPS_TECH

   GPS Techniques: Name of the GPS unit used, Date the GPS Unit was used, and General Comments about the GPS coordinates. (Source: Field Crews and USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   PLGR = "Personal Lightweight GPS Receiver" made by Rockwell CO for the U.S. Military.

   H_COVER

   Percent cover of the Herbaceous stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%).

   H_HGT

   Average height of the Herbaceous stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m).

   LANDFORM

   The general landform that describes the site where the accuracy assessment point was taken. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of landform description.

   LEAF_TYPE

   The leaf type of the dominant stratum. The dominant stratum is the uppermost stratum that contains at least 10% cover. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of leaf type description.

   LOCATION

   The location of the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Value	Definition
   ZION	Zion National Park, Utah

   N_COVER

   Percent cover of the Non-vascular Strata for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   N_HGT

   Average height of the Non-vascular stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   OPT1

   Second Plant Association Name: Used when a second vegetation association was found within 50 meters of the site or if the species data indicated a possible second classified plant association. May also contain comments about the classification of the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe (Marion Reid and Keith Schulz))

   Textual classification comments.

   OPT2

   Third Plant Association Name: Used when a third vegetation association was found within 50 meters of the site or if the species data indicated a possible third classified plant association. May also contain comments about the classification of the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe (Marion Reid and Keith Schulz))

   Textual classification comments.

   OPT3

   Fourth Plant Association Name: Used when a fourth vegetation association was found within 50 meters of the site or if the species data indicated a possible fourth classified plant association. May also contain comments about the classification of the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe (Marion Reid and Keith Schulz))

   Textual classification comments.

   OPT4

   Comments about the classification of the accuracy assessment point made by Keith Schulz (NatureServe). (Source: NatureServe: Keith Schulz)

   Textual classification comments.

   OPT5

   Comments about the classification of the accuracy assessment point made by Marion Reid (NatureServe). (Source: NatureServe: Marion Reid)

   Textual classification comments.

   OPTIONAL

   Descriptions of the Optional Fields (OPT1-5). (Source: NatureServe)

   Textual classification comments.

   OTHER

   Description of "%_Other" (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Value	Definition
   Cryptogamic crust (soil)	cryptogams or crypt
   Lichens	lichens
   Moss	moss

   OTHERS

   Other misc. comments about the accuracy assessment points. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual misc. comments.

   PHENOLOGY

   The leaf phenology of the dominant stratum. The dominant stratum is the uppermost stratum that contains at least 10% cover. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of leaf phenology type description.

   PHYSIO

   The physiognomic class of the dominant stratum (i.e. Woodland, Shrubland, etc.). The dominant stratum is the uppermost stratum that contains at least 10% cover. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of physiology class type description.

   POLY_CODE

   Internal code to the assessed polygons. Codes used by the field crews to keep track of visited polygons. (Source: Field Crews and USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   User-defined feature number.

   PROV_NAME

   The provisional name of the accuracy assessment point assigned by the field crews using the dichotomous key. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual class name.

   QUAD

   The USGS topographic quadrangle map on which the accuracy assessment point occurs. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual quadrangle map name.

   S1_COVER

   Percent cover of the Tall Shrub stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of S1 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   S1_HGT

   Average height of the Tall Shrub stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of S1 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   S2_COVER

   Percent cover of the Short Shrub stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of S2 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   S2_HGT

   Average height of the Short Shrub stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of S2 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   S3_COVER

   Percent cover of the Dwarf-shrub stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of S3 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   S3_HGT

   Average height of the Dwarf-shrub stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of S3 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   SLOPE

   General description of the average slope of the accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of slope type description.

   SPECIES

   The number of plant species recorded for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews)

   Numerical count of plant species at each accuracy assessment point.

   SUB_LOC

   The sub-location of the accuracy assessment point within Zion National Park. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual description of the sub-location.

   SURVEYORS

   The last names and/or initials of the field crews. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual surveyors last names and/or initials.

   T1_COVER

   Percent cover of the Emergent Tree stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of T1 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   T1_HGT

   Average height of the Emergent Tree stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of T1 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   T2_COVER

   Percent cover of the Tree Canopy stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of T2 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   T2_HGT

   Average height of the Tree Canopy stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of T2 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   T3_COVER

   Percent cover of the Tree Sub-canopy stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of T3 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   T3_HGT

   Average height of the Tree Sub-canopy stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of T3 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   TOPO_POS

   Topographic position of each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of topology position type description.

   UTM_ZONE

   Universal Transverse Mercator Zone (Source: GPS - USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   Value	Definition
   12	UTM Zone 12

   V_COVER

   Percent cover of the Vine/liana stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of V cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   V_HGT

   Average height of the Vine/liana stratum for each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of V height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

8. What biological taxa does this data set concern?

   Taxonomy:

   Keywords/Taxon:

   Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

   Taxonomic_Keywords: Standardized National Vegetation Classification System

   Taxonomic_Keywords: vegetation classification

   Taxonomic_Keywords: alliance

   Taxonomic_Keywords: community association

   Taxonomic_Classification:

   Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom

   Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Remotes Sensing and GIS Group, Denver, Colorado

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   USBR, Denver, CO: Daniel Cogan, Janet Coles, Doug Crawford, Trudy Meyer, Jean Pennel, ZION: Jeff Bradybaugh, Elena Robish; NatureServe, Boulder, CO: Marion Reid, Keith Schulz

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's (USBR) Remote Sensing and GIS Group
   c/o Dan Cogan
   Physical Scientist
   USBR, Code D-8260, POB 25007
   Denver, Colorado 80225
   USA
   

   (303) 445-2291 (voice)
   (303) 445-6337 (FAX)
   dcogan@do.usbr.gov
   

   Hours_of_Service: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM MST

   Contact_Instructions: Call for contract person(s)

Why was the data set created?

Points were collected to calculate the thematic accuracy of the 1999 -2003 vegetation map.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   Accuracy Assessment Points (source 1 of 1)

   U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Remotes Sensing and GIS Group, Denver, Colorado, Unpublished Material, Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project Accuracy Assessment Points.

   Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM

   Source_Contribution: Unknown

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: Unknown (process 1 of 1)

   Points were located using a stratified random sampling method. Portions of the methodology were derived from the USGS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program's Accuracy Assessment Procedures. Vegetation data at each point was recorded by qualified ecologists using a standard NVC Point data collection form. Data was manually transferred to a MS Access database. Point coverage was created by importing the database into ArcView as an event theme.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Dan Cogan
   Bureau of Reclamation
   Physical Scientist
   P.O. Box 25007 Bldg. 56 Denver Federal Center M.S. D-8260
   Denver, Colorado 80225
   U.S.A
   

   (303) 445-2291 (voice)
   (303) 445-6337 (FAX)
   dcogan@do.usbr.gov
   

   Hours_of_Service: 8 am - 5 pm

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   N/A

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   GPS accuracy varies for each plot. Error values were recorded on the plot form.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

   Standard GPS Elevation Error.

4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

   All points required for the accuracy assessment at Zion National Park included in this coverage.

5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

   None

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

Acknowledgment of the USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group would be appreciated in products derived from these data. Any person using the information presented here should fully understand the data collection and compilation process before beginning their analysis/use. The burden of determining fitness for use lies with the user. GIS software.

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and Synthesis
   c/o USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
   Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Room 8000, MS 302
   Denver, Colorado 80225
   

   (303) 202-4220 (voice)
   303-202-4219 (FAX)
   gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
   

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

   NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Vegetation Map of Zion National Park

3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. These data and related graphics (if available) are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such.

   The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they were derived. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent within the limitations of geospatial data in general and these data in particular. Any related graphics (if available) are intended to aid the data user in acquiring relevant data; it is not approriate to use the related graphics as data.

   The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from an U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service servers and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the utility of the data on another system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this metadata report does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U. S. Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey and National Park Service.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	HTML
     Network links:	<http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/zion/index.html>

   • Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 24-Feb-2004
Last Reviewed: 21-Jun-2010

Metadata author:

USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and Synthesis
c/o USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Room 8000, MS 302
Denver, Colorado 80225

(303) 202-4220 (voice)
303-202-4219 (FAX)
gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001.1-1999)

Metadata extensions used:

• <http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/community/fgdc_metadata/255>