bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of temperament of Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows on milk production traits and somatic cell count (Short Communication)
Authors: Orbán M. , Gaál K. K. , Pajor F. , Szentléleki A. , Póti P. , Tőzsér J. , Gulyás L.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The aim of present study was to investigate the relationships between temperament score and milk production, as well as somatic cell count in a herd of Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds. The temperament of 283 Jersey and 69 Holstein Friesian cows were assessed (scored) by the temperament score test (behaviour of animals was assessed in a 5-score system (1: calm, 5: nervous) while spending 30 s on the scale during weighing). The daily milk yield, fat, protein content and somatic cell count were also investigated in this study. Our investigation did not reveal any correlation between daily milk yield and temperament score. But milk somatic cell count was showed positive moderate relation with the temperament scores of Jersey (rrank=0.67; P=0.0001) and Holstein Friesian (rrank=0.66; P=0.0001) cows. Calmer cows had lower somatic cell count (Jersey: 135.40×103/cm3; Holstein Friesian: 176.07×103/cm3) compared to the more temperamental cows (Jersey: 540.44×103/cm3; P=0.0001; Holstein Friesian: 744.91×103/cm3; P=0.0001, resp.).
Impact of wean to standing reflex interval on litter size of sows (Short Communication)
Authors: Humpolicek P. , Tvrdon Z. , Jaros J.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Sow reproduction influences farm economy and can be considered as key factor of pig production efficiency. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of wean to standing reflex interval on the total number of piglets born and correlated number of piglets born alive and number of piglets weaned. Study was performed on crossbreed of Large White and Landrace sows originated from a commercial farm thus our results describe the real effect under commercial conditions. The results indicate that wean to standing reflex interval influence the litter size traits negatively if this interval is longer than 108 h. Highest differences was detected between 84 and 108 h of wean to standing reflex interval where decreasing about 2.8 total number of piglets weaned (P≤0.01) was found. Mutually only small effect of number of inseminations was detected.
Effect of sire and extender on sperm motility and share of live or dead sperm in bulls’ fresh ejaculate and in AI doses after thawing
Authors: Beran J. , Stádník L. , Bezdíček J. , Louda F. , Čítek J. , Ducháček J.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The objectives were to evaluate the effects of sire and content of fresh or ionised egg yolk in extenders on sperm motility and share of live and dead sperm in collected ejaculate, in thawed artificial insemination (AI) doses, and during thermodynamic testing compared to extenders not containing egg yolk. Ejaculates were collected once a week from 4 Holstein bulls. Each of the 20 ejaculate samples from each bull was diluted with 4 different extenders. AndroMed and Bioxcell (no egg yolk) and Triladyl and Optidyl (fresh, ionised egg yolk) were used. A total of 640 AI doses were analysed. The volume of samples, sperm concentration, and percentage of motile spermatozoa were evaluated after collection, as was sperm motility after thawing of AI doses and during thermodynamic testing. Percentages of live and dead sperm were also evaluated. The data set was analysed using SAS/STAT 9.1 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The results confirmed significant (P<0.05–0.01) between-sire differences in the volume, density, and activity of sperm as well as in share of live and dead sperm after collection; in decline of sperm motility in the fresh ejaculate, after thawing, and during the entire thermodynamic test, as well as in the share of live and dead sperm after thawing. The extenders ranked by sperm motility are: Optidyl, Triladyl, AndroMed, and Bioxcell, demonstrating the higher quality of AI doses produced using egg yolk extenders. Differences in sperm motility were significant (P<0.05–0.01) during the entirety of thermodynamic testing. Egg yolk extenders had a significantly (P<0.05–0.01) higher percentages of live sperm after thawing.
Effect of twinning and stillbirth on the shape of lactation curve in Holstein dairy cows of Iran
Authors: Atashi H. , Zamiri M. J. , Sayyadnejad M. B.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The aims of this study were to estimate the effects of twinning and stillbirth on the lactation curve traits in Holstein cows in Iran. Data from March 2000 to April 2009 comprising of 862 109 test-day milk records corresponding to 115 805 lactations of 58 756 cows in 27 herds were used. The lowest peak and total lactation yield but the highest days in milk (DIM) until peak yield, persistency and cumulative milk yield from calving up to DIM at peak production were found during the first lactation (P<0.05). Consequential effect of stillbirth and twinning on lactation curve traits, except for the factors associated with the downward slopes of the curve, were significant (P<0.05). Stillbirth affected the 100-d, 200-d and 305-d milk yields. Cows with stillborn calves had longer days to peak yield and higher persistency, but lower peak yield, than those with live calves (P<0.05). Number of days to peak yield, the persistency and total lactation yield from calving up to peak of lactation were higher for twin birth than for single birth calvings (P<0.05). The estimated correlation between peak yield and lactation yield was high (68%) indicating that peak yield is very important in determining the lactation yield.
Body composition of piglets exhibiting different growth rates
Authors: Mitchell A. D. , Ramsay T. G. , Caperna T. J. , Scholz A. M.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The growth and composition of the neonatal pig is of interest because of potential impact on subsequent growth and finally, composition at market weight. The purpose of this study was to compare at weaning the growth and body composition of the largest and smallest pigs from each of 38 litters. At weaning (27±1.7 d) the largest (9.3±1.1 kg) and smallest (6.2±1.5 kg) pigs were selected for body composition measurement by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The body composition of the largest pigs consisted of 38 % more fat, 32 % more lean, and 29 % more bone mineral content (P<0.001). However, when expressed as a percentage of body weight, there was no difference in the fat, lean or bone mineral content content of the two groups of pigs (P>0.05). A second study consisted of 12 pairs of pigs from 8 litters that were selected on the basis of having the same birth weight, but one pig out gaining the other by at least 50 g/day. At 21 days of age the selected pigs were scanned by DXA. For both groups combined, the correlation (r) between body weight and lean mass was 0.99, between body weight and fat mass it was 0.87, and between body weight at birth and body weight at weaning it was 0.56. The results of these studies revealed that, at weaning, the fastest and slowest growing pigs had similar proportions of fat, lean and bone mineral and, consistent with previous results, the rates of both fat and lean deposition were highly correlated (P<0.001) with total body growth rate.
Development of organisation and planning in animal breeding: I. A review on breeding organisation
Authors: Herold P. , Rößler R. , Valle Zárate A. , Momm H.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Organisation is an important factor in animal breeding. The present study gives first approaches for the use of new institutional economic theory as a tool for investigation of organisational structures in animal breeding. First, the concept of breeding organisation is defined. On the basis of two examples – increase of the competitiveness of breeders’ associations and conservation of animal genetic resources – it is shown how organisation theory and appropriate investigation methods can be used to develop different possible solutions. The study shows that organisation not just happens but is an intrinsic component of the system »animal breeding«. This component combines interests of the private and public sector. Organisation research helps to discover optimum combination of these interests. A following study deals with breeding planning as an important challenge in animal breeding with regard to the development of breeding organisation.
Assessment of selected parameters of biochemistry, hematology, immunology and production of pigs fattened in different seasons
Authors: Chmielowiec-Korzeniowska A. , Tymczyna L. , Babicz M.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The present research objective was to asses the difference of some biochemical, hematological, immune and pork composition parameters in two groups of pigs fattened in winter and summer season. Pig performance was assessed in vivo (fattening and slaughter value) and post mortem studies which showed a season to be a significant factor influencing a level of some hematological and biochemical indices. In winter period, fatteners blood displayed increased leukocyte and immunoglobulin content with decreased red blood cell concentration. Whereas the animals finishing in the summer season had a higher growth rate. As compared to the winter period, the fatteners were found to have a higher content of crude protein, cholesterol and triglycerides as well as GGT, AST and cholinesterase concentration. In both seasons, the finishing pig carcasses had similar level of valuable cuts. A fattening season did not affect the technological value of the slaughter material obtained.
Statistic and genetic parameters of 205-day weaning weight of beef calves
Authors: Szabó F. , Szabó E. , Bene S.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The aim of the study was to do genetic evaluation of the 205-day weaning weight of pure bred herds of different beef cattle breeds kept in Hungary and supply results for genetic programmes of different breeds. Population genetic analysis was performed on data from 42695 purebred beef calves from seven breeds born from 1981 to 2005 in Hungary. Animal model was used for the estimations. Sire, herd, age of dam at calving, birth year, season of birth and sex of calf had significant effects on 205-day calf weaning weight for each breed. Significant breed differences and breed overlaps were found. Direct heritability value estimates were 0.18 to 0.61, the maternal heritability values from 0.07 to 0.38, and the total heritability values were between 0.09 and 0.35. The direct-maternal genetic correlations were high and negative for all the breeds varying from −0.63 to −0.88.
The effect of diet supplementation with propolis and bee pollen on the physicochemical properties and strength of tibial bones in broiler chickens
Authors: Kleczek K. , Majewska K. , Makowski W. , Michalik D.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of diet supplementation with propolis and bee pollen on selected physical, biomechanical and chemical properties of tibial bones in broiler chickens. The experimental materials comprised 384 Ross 308 chickens (four groups, three replications), divided into groups of males and females, and raised to 35 days of age. Control group 1 birds were fed a commercial diet throughout the experiment. Birds of three other experimental groups received for the first two weeks of rearing standard diets with a different content of propolis and/or bee pollen: group 2 – 0.025 % propolis, group 3 – 0.5 % bee pollen, group 4 – 0.5 % bee pollen and 0.025 % propolis. The following parameters of the tibia were determined: weight, length, mid-shaft circumference, vertical and horizontal external diameters, vertical and horizontal internal diameters. The geometric characteristics of the bones were determined based on the above measurements. Mid-shaft shear strength was measured using an Instron universal testing machine 4301 (Instron, Norwood, MA, USA). The crude ash, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content of the tibia was also determined. Higher values of geometric parameters were noted in the tibial bones of broilers fed a diet supplemented with a combination of propolis and bee pollen, in comparison with birds fed diets containing propolis or bee pollen administered alone. The shear strength values and physical properties of bones were similar in all groups.
Modeling seasonal and vertical habitats of planktonic foraminifera on a global scale
Authors: Kretschmer Kerstin , Jonkers Lukas , Kucera Michal , Schulz Michael
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Species of planktonic foraminifera exhibit specific seasonal production patterns and different preferred vertical habitats. The seasonality and vertical habitats are not constant throughout the range of the species and changes therein must be considered when interpreting paleoceanographic reconstructions based on fossil foraminifera. Accounting for the effect of vertical and seasonal habitat tracking on foraminifera proxies at times of climate change is difficult because it requires independent fossil evidence. An alternative that could reduce the bias in paleoceanographic reconstructions is to predict species-specific habitat shifts under climate change using an ecosystem modeling approach. To this end, we present a new version of a planktonic foraminifera model, PLAFOM2.0, embedded into the ocean component of the Community Earth System Model, version 1.2.2. This model predicts monthly global concentrations of the planktonic foraminiferal species: Neogloboquadrina pachyderma, N. incompta, Globigerina bulloides, Globigerinoides ruber (white), and Trilobatus sacculifer throughout the world ocean, resolved in 24 vertical layers to 250 m depth. The resolution along the vertical dimension has been implemented by applying the previously used spatial parameterization of biomass as a function of temperature, light, nutrition, and competition on depth-resolved parameter fields. This approach alone results in the emergence of species-specific vertical habitats, which are spatially and temporally variable. Although an explicit parameterization of the vertical dimension has not been carried out, the seasonal and vertical distribution patterns predicted by the model are in good agreement with sediment trap data and plankton tow observations. In the simulation, the colder-water species N. pachyderma, N. incompta, and G. bulloides show a pronounced seasonal cycle in their depth habitat in the polar and subpolar regions, which appears to be controlled by food availability. During the warm season, these species preferably occur in the subsurface, while towards the cold season they ascend through the water column and are found closer to the sea surface. The warm-water species G. ruber (white) and T. sacculifer exhibit a less variable shallow depth habitat with highest biomass concentrations within the top 40 m of the water column. Nevertheless, even these species show vertical habitat variability and their seasonal occurrence outside the tropics is limited to the warm surface layer that develops at the end of the warm season. The emergence in PLAFOM2.0 of species-specific vertical habitats that are consistent with observations indicates that the population dynamics of planktonic foraminifera species may be driven by the same factors in time, space, and with depth, in which case the model can provide a reliable and robust tool to aid the interpretation of proxy records.
Physico-chemical and biological factors influencing dinoflagellate cyst production in the Cariaco Basin
Authors: Bringué Manuel , Thunell Robert C. , Pospelova Vera , Pinckney James L. , Romero Oscar E. , Tappa Eric J.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. We present a 2.5 year-long sediment trap record of dinoflagellate cyst production in the Cariaco Basin, off Venezuela (southern Caribbean Sea). The site lies under the influence of wind-driven, seasonal upwelling which promotes high levels of primary productivity during boreal winter and spring. Changes in dinoflagellate cyst production is documented between November 1996 and May 1999 at ~ 14 day intervals and interpreted in the context of in situ observations of physico-chemical and biological parameters measured at the mooring site. Dinoflagellate cyst assemblages are diverse (57 taxa) and dominated by cyst taxa of heterotrophic affinity, primarily Brigantedinium spp. (51 % of the total trap assemblage). Average cyst fluxes to the trap are high (17.1 × 103 cysts m−2 day−1) and show great seasonal and interannual variability. On seasonal time scales, dinoflagellate cyst production responds closely to variations in upwelling strength, with increases in cyst fluxes of several protoperidinioid taxa observed during active upwelling intervals, predominantly Brigantedinium spp. Cyst taxa produced by autotrophic dinoflagellates, in particular Bitectatodinium spongium, also respond positively to upwelling. Several spiny brown cysts contribute substantially to the assemblages, including Echinidinium delicatum (9.7 %) and Echinidinium granulatum (7.3 %), and show a closer affinity to weaker upwelling conditions. The strong El Niño event of 1997/98 appears to have negatively impacted cyst production in the basin with a one year lag, and may have contributed to the unusually high fluxes of cysts type Cp (possibly the cysts of the toxic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides sensu Li et al. 2015), with cyst type Cp fluxes up to 11.8 × 103 cysts m−2 day−1 observed during the weak upwelling event of Feb.–May 1999. Possible trophic interactions between dinoflagellates and other major planktonic groups are also investigated by comparing the timing and magnitude of cyst production with proxies for phytoplanktonic communities (from photopigment data) and micro- to macrozooplankton abundance indicators (from palynological data) at the site. This work provides new, detailed insights into the ecology of cyst-producing dinoflagellates and will allow for more detailed interpretations of fossil assemblages extracted from sedimentary records in the basin and elsewhere.
Two databases derived from BGC-Argo float measurements for marine biogeochemical and bio-optical applications
Authors: Organelli Emanuele , Barbieux Marie , Claustre Hervé , Schmechtig Catherine , Poteau Antoine , Bricaud Annick , Boss Emmanuel , Briggs Nathan , Dall'Olmo Giorgio , D'Ortenzio Fabrizio , Leymarie Edouard , Mangin Antoine , Obolensky Grigor , Penkerc'h Christophe , Prieur Louis , Roesler Collin , Serra Romain , Uitz Julia , Xing Xiaogang
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Since 2012, an array of 105 Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats has been deployed across the world's oceans to assist in filling observational gaps that are required for characterizing open-ocean environments. Profiles of biogeochemical (chlorophyll and dissolved organic matter) and optical (single-wavelength particulate optical backscattering, downward irradiance at three wavelengths, and photosynthetically available radiation) variables are collected in the upper 1000 m every 1 to 10 days. The database of 9837 vertical profiles collected up to January 2016 is presented and its spatial and temporal coverage is discussed. Each variable is quality controlled with specifically developed procedures and its time series is quality-assessed to identify issues related to biofouling and/or instrument drift. A second database of 5748 profile-derived products within the first optical depth (i.e., the layer of interest for satellite remote sensing) is also presented and its spatiotemporal distribution discussed. This database, devoted to field and remote ocean color applications, includes diffuse attenuation coefficients for downward irradiance at three narrow wavebands and one broad waveband (photosynthetically available radiation), calibrated chlorophyll and fluorescent dissolved organic matter concentrations, and single-wavelength particulate optical backscattering. To demonstrate the applicability of these databases, data within the first optical depth are compared with previously established bio-optical models and used to validate remotely derived bio-optical products. The quality-controlled databases are publicly available from the SEANOE (SEA scieNtific Open data Edition) publisher at https://doi.org/10.17882/49388 and https://doi.org/10.17882/47142 for vertical profiles and products within the first optical depth, respectively.
LOW COST EMBEDDED STEREO SYSTEM FOR UNDERWATER SURVEYS
Authors: Nawaf M. M. , Boï J.-M. , Merad D. , Royer J.-P. , Drap P.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This paper provides details of both hardware and software conception and realization of a hand-held stereo embedded system for underwater imaging. The designed system can run most image processing techniques smoothly in real-time. The developed functions provide direct visual feedback on the quality of the taken images which helps taking appropriate actions accordingly in terms of movement speed and lighting conditions. The proposed functionalities can be easily customized or upgraded whereas new functions can be easily added thanks to the available supported libraries. Furthermore, by connecting the designed system to a more powerful computer, a real-time visual odometry can run on the captured images to have live navigation and site coverage map. We use a visual odometry method adapted to low computational resources systems and long autonomy. The system is tested in a real context and showed its robustness and promising further perspectives.
3D RECONSTRUCTION WITH A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
BASED ON SMARTPHONES AND A CLOUD-BASED SERVER
Authors: Nocerino E. , Poiesi F. , Locher A. , Tefera Y. T. , Remondino F. , Chippendale P. , Van Gool L.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The paper presents a collaborative image-based 3D reconstruction pipeline to perform image acquisition with a smartphone and geometric 3D reconstruction on a server during concurrent or disjoint acquisition sessions. Images are selected from the video feed of the smartphone’s camera based on their quality and novelty. The smartphone’s app provides on-the-fly reconstruction feedback to users co-involved in the acquisitions. The server is composed of an incremental SfM algorithm that processes the received images by seamlessly merging them into a single sparse point cloud using bundle adjustment. Dense image matching algorithm can be lunched to derive denser point clouds. The reconstruction details, experiments and performance evaluation are presented and discussed.
3D MODELLING BY LOW-COST RANGE CAMERA:
SOFTWARE EVALUATION AND COMPARISON
Authors: Ravanelli R. , Lastilla L. , Crespi M.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The aim of this work is to present a comparison among three software applications currently available for the Occipital Structure SensorTM; all these software were developed for collecting 3D models of objects easily and in real-time with this structured light range camera. The SKANECT, itSeez3D and Scanner applications were thus tested: a DUPLOTM bricks construction was scanned with the three applications and the obtained models were compared to the model virtually generated with a standard CAD software, which served as reference. The results demonstrate that all the software applications are generally characterized by the same level of geometric accuracy, which amounts to very few millimetres. However, the itSeez3D software, which requires a payment of $7 to export each model, represents surely the best solution, both from the point of view of the geometric accuracy and, mostly, at the level of the color restitution. On the other hand, Scanner, which is a free software, presents an accuracy comparable to that of itSeez3D. At the same time, though, the colors are often smoothed and not perfectly overlapped to the corresponding part of the model. Lastly, SKANECT is the software that generates the highest number of points, but it has also some issues with the rendering of the colors.
PRELIMINARY TESTS OF A NEW LOW-COST PHOTOGRAMMETRIC SYSTEM
Authors: Santise M. , Thoeni K. , Roncella R. , Sloan S. W. , Giacomini A.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This paper presents preliminary tests of a new low-cost photogrammetric system for 4D modelling of large scale areas for civil engineering applications. The system consists of five stand-alone units. Each of the units is composed of a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B (RPi2B) single board computer connected to a PiCamera Module V2 (8 MP) and is powered by a 10 W solar panel. The acquisition of the images is performed automatically using Python scripts and the OpenCV library. Images are recorded at different times during the day and automatically uploaded onto a FTP server from where they can be accessed for processing. Preliminary tests and outcomes of the system are discussed in detail. The focus is on the performance assessment of the low-cost sensor and the quality evaluation of the digital surface models generated by the low-cost photogrammetric systems in the field under real test conditions. Two different test cases were set up in order to calibrate the low-cost photogrammetric system and to assess its performance. First comparisons with a TLS model show a good agreement.
A VARIANT OF LSD-SLAM CAPABLE OF PROCESSING HIGH-SPEED
LOW-FRAMERATE MONOCULAR DATASETS
Authors: Schmid S. , Fritsch D.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. We develop a new variant of LSD-SLAM, called C-LSD-SLAM, which is capable of performing monocular tracking and mapping in high-speed low-framerate situations such as those of the KITTI datasets. The methods used here are robust against the influence of erronously triangulated points near the epipolar direction, which otherwise causes tracking divergence.
SEGMENTATION OF LARGE UNSTRUCTURED POINT CLOUDS USING
OCTREE-BASED REGION GROWING AND CONDITIONAL RANDOM FIELDS
Authors: Bassier M. , Bonduel M. , Van Genechten B. , Vergauwen M.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Point cloud segmentation is a crucial step in scene understanding and interpretation. The goal is to decompose the initial data into sets of workable clusters with similar properties. Additionally, it is a key aspect in the automated procedure from point cloud data to BIM. Current approaches typically only segment a single type of primitive such as planes or cylinders. Also, current algorithms suffer from oversegmenting the data and are often sensor or scene dependent. In this work, a method is presented to automatically segment large unstructured point clouds of buildings. More specifically, the segmentation is formulated as a graph optimisation problem. First, the data is oversegmented with a greedy octree-based region growing method. The growing is conditioned on the segmentation of planes as well as smooth surfaces. Next, the candidate clusters are represented by a Conditional Random Field after which the most likely configuration of candidate clusters is computed given a set of local and contextual features. The experiments prove that the used method is a fast and reliable framework for unstructured point cloud segmentation. Processing speeds up to 40,000 points per second are recorded for the region growing. Additionally, the recall and precision of the graph clustering is approximately 80%. Overall, nearly 22% of oversegmentation is reduced by clustering the data. These clusters will be classified and used as a basis for the reconstruction of BIM models.
TOWARDS ROBUST SELF-CALIBRATION FOR HANDHELD 3D LINE LASER
SCANNING
Authors: Bleier M. , Nüchter A.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This paper studies self-calibration of a structured light system, which reconstructs 3D information using video from a static consumer camera and a handheld cross line laser projector. Intersections between the individual laser curves and geometric constraints on the relative position of the laser planes are exploited to achieve dense 3D reconstruction. This is possible without any prior knowledge of the movement of the projector. However, inaccurrately extracted laser lines introduce noise in the detected intersection positions and therefore distort the reconstruction result. Furthermore, when scanning objects with specular reflections, such as glossy painted or metalic surfaces, the reflections are often extracted from the camera image as erroneous laser curves. In this paper we investiagte how robust estimates of the parameters of the laser planes can be obtained despite of noisy detections.
BIFOCAL STEREO FOR MULTIPATH PERSON RE-IDENTIFICATION
Authors: Blott G. , Heipke C.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This work presents an approach for the task of person re-identification by exploiting bifocal stereo cameras. Present monocular person re-identification approaches show a decreasing working distance, when increasing the image resolution to obtain a higher reidentification performance. We propose a novel 3D multipath bifocal approach, containing a rectilinear lens with larger focal length for long range distances and a fish eye lens of a smaller focal length for the near range. The person re-identification performance is at least on par with 2D re-identification approaches but the working distance of the approach is increased and on average 10% more re-identification performance can be achieved in the overlapping field of view compared to a single camera. In addition, the 3D information is exploited from the overlapping field of view to solve potential 2D ambiguities.
AUTONOMOUS WHEELED ROBOT PLATFORM TESTBED FOR NAVIGATION
AND MAPPING USING LOW-COST SENSORS
Authors: Calero D. , Fernandez E. , Parés M. E.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. This paper presents the concept of an architecture for a wheeled robot system that helps researchers in the field of geomatics to speed up their daily research on kinematic geodesy, indoor navigation and indoor positioning fields. The presented ideas corresponds to an extensible and modular hardware and software system aimed at the development of new low-cost mapping algorithms as well as at the evaluation of the performance of sensors. The concept, already implemented in the CTTC's system ARAS (Autonomous Rover for Automatic Surveying) is generic and extensible. This means that it is possible to incorporate new navigation algorithms or sensors at no maintenance cost. Only the effort related to the development tasks required to either create such algorithms needs to be taken into account. As a consequence, change poses a much small problem for research activities in this specific area. This system includes several standalone sensors that may be combined in different ways to accomplish several goals; that is, this system may be used to perform a variety of tasks, as, for instance evaluates positioning algorithms performance or mapping algorithms performance.
SEGEBERG 1600 – RECONSTRUCTING A HISTORIC TOWN
FOR VIRTUAL REALITY VISUALISATION AS AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Authors: Deggim S. , Kersten T. P. , Tschirschwitz F. , Hinrichsen N.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. The 3D reconstruction of historic buildings and cities offers an opportunity to experience the history of relevant objects and their development over the centuries. Digital visualisations of such historic objects allow for a more natural view of history as well as showing information that is not possible in a real world setting. New presentation forms, such as the virtual reality (VR) system HTC Vive, can be used to disseminate information in another dimension and simplify the access by changing the user’s viewpoint from a listener and viewer into being an integrated part of an interactive situation. In general, this approach is a combination of education and entertainment, also known as “edutainment” or “gamification”, a term used in the education sector as describing where motivation to learn is encouraged through adding a competitive element. It is thus a step away from simple consumption of information towards experiencing information and a more literal interpretation of “living history”. In this contribution, we present the development of a 3D reconstruction of the two towns Segeberg and Gieschenhagen (today: Bad Segeberg) in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany in the Early Modern Age around 1600. The historic landscape and its conversion from a reconstructed virtual town model into an interactive VR application is also described. The reconstruction is based on a recent digital terrain model as well as survey data of surviving buildings, historic visual information based on historic drawings and written accounts from that era. All datasets are combined to a single walkable virtual world that spans approximately 3 km².
DIGITAL MODEL OFWALLS OF PADUA LOWRELIEF
Authors: Fissore F. , Guarnieri A. , Vettore A.
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Photogrammetry has been widely used in the recent years in a number of applications, e.g. cultural heritage, surveying buildings and infrastructures. Despite nowadays its use is quite common, most of the used photogrammetric softwares are commercial. This paper aims at comparing the use of a free Matlab tool that is being developed at the University of Padova mostly for educational purposes with that of a commercial (and widely used) software (Agisoft PhotoScan). Despite the above mentioned free Matlab tool is designed to work for airborne photogrammetric, in this work it is used in a slightly different case: the 3D reconstruction of a low relief of the walls of Padova, which is on the fac¸ade of the church Santa Maria del Giglio, Venice, Italy.
Numerical airfoil catalogue including 360° airfoil polars and aeroacoustic footprints
Authors: Imiela Manfred , Faßmann Benjamin , Heilers Gerrit , Wilke Gunther
Published: November 2017

Abstract. A methodology is presented for generating 360° airfoil polars and aeroacoustic characteristics by means of CFD and CAA. The aerodynamic procedure is validated against experimental data of the well-known airfoils DU-93-W-210 and DU-97-W-300. While a better prediction of the aerodynamic coefficients in the range of −30° and 30° is achieved by a combination of the k-ω SST turbulence model and a C-topology mesh, for the remaining angles of attack more confidence is gained with the SA negative turbulence model in combination with an O-topology mesh. Therefore the two data sets are subsequently fused to one complete data set using a kriging interpolation approach. The result of ten different airfoils using the proposed method is presented. For providing the aeroacoustic characteristics for a wide operation range four computations and a bilinear interpolation are needed, since the aeroacoustic is dependent on the Mach and Reynolds number. The bilinear interpolation approach is verificated by a comparison between the originally simulated and the emulated result at a fifth computational set for six different airfoils. The corresponding overall sound pressure level (OASPL) for four angles of attack for these airfoils is presented and the difference between a fully turbulent computation and simulations with fixed transition is assessed. The aeroacoustic results further include high-fidelity directivity functions.
ASPECTOS DA QUALIDADE DO TRABALHO RELACIONADOS À EXPLORAÇÃO FLORESTAL NA AMAZÔNIA CENTRAL
Authors: Nascimento Kauê Augusto Oliveira , Emmert Fabiano , Robert Renato Cesar Gonçalves
Published: November 2017

A baixa qualidade das operações é apontada como a principal causa da insustentabilidade ecológica do manejo florestal. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a quantificação e a análise de variáveis de qualidade no corte florestal: engate de árvores, altura de toco e árvores ocas. A área de estudo localiza-se no município de Itapiranga, Amazonas, onde a coleta de dados consistiu em 39 horas do corte florestal. Em média três árvores por jornada (12%) engataram no momento de corte por falta de perícia. A altura média dos tocos foi de 26 cm, com volume médio de 0,09 m³ por árvore (2,9%) em forma de tocos. Foi encontrada, em média, 19,8% de árvores ocas por jornada, com tempo perdido de deslocamento por jornada de uma hora e 12 minutos, sendo equivalente a 12,9 m³ de produtividade perdida. As adequações do processo de planejamento da operação acarretam no aumento da segurança e do desempenho da exploração florestal.
PRODUTIVIDADE DO PROCESSAMENTO MECANIZADO DA MADEIRA DE PINUS NOS SISTEMAS FULL TREE E CUT TO LENGTH EM DIFERENTES VOLUMES INDIVIDUAIS
Authors: Scorupski Antônio José , Oliveira Felipe Martins de , Diniz Carlos Cézar Cavassin , Lopes Eduardo Da Silva
Published: November 2017

Este trabalho objetivou analisar o processamento da madeira na colheita mecanizada de Pinus sp. nos sistemas full tree e cut to length, para verificar qual apresenta maior rendimento de acordo com o volume médio individual (VMI) das árvores. O estudo foi realizado nas áreas operacionais de colheita da madeira de uma empresa florestal nos municípios de Jaguariaíva e Sengés, estado do Paraná, em povoamentos de 15 anos de idade em regime de corte raso. A coleta de dados foi realizada durante 12 meses por meio de controles diários de produção, com base no computador de bordo de cada máquina e na separação por classes de VMI, com os dados interpretados por meio de análise gráfica. Os resultados mostraram que houve equilíbrio nas produtividades do processamento em ambos os sistemas na classe de VMI entre 0,21 a 0,25 m³, porém o sistema cut to length demonstrou maior produtividade do processamento nas classes de VMI menores, enquanto o sistema full tree foi superior nas classes de maior VMI, demonstrando a adequabilidade dos dois sistemas para os diferentes volumes dos povoamentos florestais.
Promoting Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism on the Russell Fork: An Academic-Community Partnership Report
Authors: Scott Shaunna L. , McSpirit Stephanie , Foley Jason
Published: November 2017

This community note describes a five-year academic-community partnership between a community organization and two universities in Kentucky. It also documents the potential of adventure tourism to help diversify the community’s economy and contribute to the quality of life in the region. While recognizing that adventure tourism cannot make up for the loss of the area’s traditional economic base, the data indicate that adventure tourism can make a positive contribution to the quality of life, environmental quality, and sustainability of the town. A major obstacle to achieving the community organization’s goals to develop adventure tourism has been the failure to get buy-in from local government leaders.
The Contingency of Appalachia on Our Mind: An Exploration of the Self-Perception of Bourgeois Mountain Print Culture, 1870–1890
Authors: Moore Elisabeth Avery
Published: November 2017

The existing literature on the history of Appalachia in the nineteenth century seeks to understand either the evolution of the construction of the mountaineer stereotype or the reality of life in Appalachia during the period. It does not seek to understand how mountaineers conceived of themselves. My study helps fill that gap by analyzing the idea of Appalachia in the minds of middle-class mountaineers. The genesis of the Appalachian stereotype occurred through the various writings of journalists and travel writers from the New England area. These sketches emphasized the exotic nature of mountain life and highlighted the inherent deviance of the mountaineer. Aware of how they were portrayed in mass media, middle-class mountaineers in western North Carolina deliberately rejected this portrayal through local newspapers. Through these media outlets, mountaineers fought to establish a counter-narrative that defined Southern Appalachia as an extension of the New South and its inhabitants as progressive. In the process, these residents struggled to ensure that middle-class imagery represented the still contingent idea of Appalachia in the American consciousness. In their minds, an aspirational progressivism most closely described the true community of the southern mountains, and all other visions of mountain culture were obscene and inaccurate media creations.
Assessing the Likelihood of Seeking Health Care in Rural Kentucky: Applying the Barriers to Help Seeking Scale to Appalachian and Non-Appalachian Undergraduates
Authors: Starcher Rachael Whitley , Geurin Lynn , Shannon Lisa , Whitley Angela
Published: November 2017

Appalachian health is among the worst in the country. Efforts to address the economic and social barriers to medical care have included increasing insurance access, establishment of rural clinics, and recruitment of outside physicians to the region. Rural areas outside Appalachia face similar concrete obstacles; yet, Appalachian health still lags behind its non-Appalachian rural counterparts. This study uses the Barriers to Help Seeking Scale to examine the health behaviors of undergraduates in regional Kentucky universities. Data indicate that students from rural Appalachian backgrounds are less likely to seek health care (P < .05), even with financial and other concrete barriers removed. In fact, cultural emphases on self-reliance (P = .007), resignation (P = .000), concrete barriers and distrust of caregivers (P = .000), and emotional control (P = .018) account for almost half of Appalachian reluctance to seek help (R2 = .477, P = .000). Appalachian health disparities cannot be completely addressed without increased awareness of these utilization concerns.
Intra-Latina Fertility Differentials in the United States
Authors: Ayala María Isabel
Published: November 2017

This study assesses whether Latinas’ ethnic and racial self-identification can predict their number of “children ever born” (CEB) after controlling for cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic factors. Analyzed together, these factors measure the role that existing racial/ethnic structures have on the experiences of Latino subgroups. I pool data from the Fertility Supplement of the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) Current Population Survey. Following a series of zero-inflated Poisson regressions and controlling for cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic factors, women who ethnically self-identify as Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Central American have more CEB than women who self-identify as Cuban. Simultaneously, Latinas who racially self-identify as white have fewer CEB than nonwhite Latinas. I propose that the different racialized experiences of these groups can help explain these patterns. Moreover, I argue that the results provide empirical evidence of the multicausal explanations for intra-Latina fertility behavior.
Short communication: Functional genetic diversity of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) populations from southern Spain
Authors: Cuestas María I. , Mattioni Claudia , Martín Luis M. , Vargas-Osuna Enrique , Cherubini Marcello , Martin María A.
Published: November 2017

Aim of the study: To evaluate the adaptive genetic variability of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) populations from southern Spain in relation to bud burst and water stress.Area of study: Andalusia (southern Spain) where many chestnut groves were progressively abandoned and have become ‘naturalized’.Material and methods: A total of 126 chestnut trees from eight populations were assessed by means of nine genic microsatellite loci (expressed sequence tag simple sequence repeat markers) related to bud burst and water stress.Main results: Significant differences in genetic diversity were detected within and among populations, not found with neutral microsatellite markers. The structure analysis indicated the presence of two different gene pools.Research highlights: These results could contribute to the development of conservation strategies for this species in southern areas exposed to the effects of climate change. The genetic diversity of these populations could be useful in minimizing this risk and other predictable factors related to global change.
Association mapping for morphological traits relevant to registration of barley varieties
Authors: Jamali Seyed H. , Mohammadi Seyed A. , Sadeghzadeh Behzad
Published: November 2017

Elucidating marker-trait associations would have fruitful implications in distinctness, uniformity, and stability (DUS) tests of new varieties required for both variety registration and granting plant breeders’ rights. As the number of new varieties with narrow genetic bases increases, the necessity for deployment of molecular markers to complement morphological DUS traits gets particular attention. We used simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and sequence related amplification polymorphisms (SRAPs) markers in association mapping of morphological traits in a collection of 143 barley landraces and advanced breeding lines. This panel represented a diverse and uniform sample in terms of both quantitative and categorical traits whilst it was structurally partitioned by number of ear rows (six- and two-rowed) and seasonal growth habit (winter and spring types) characteristics. SSRs were more powerful compared with SRAPs in separating six- and two-rowed genotypes based on both model-based Bayesian and neighbor joining clustering methods. A number of associated SSR and SRAP markers were found for 15 out of 36 DUS traits after considering Bonferroni correction through linear models (GLM and MLM) and chi-square-based tests (SA and AAT). This is also the first report of association of awn roughness and grain color with molecular markers in barley. Moreover, SSR marker BMAC0113 appeared associated with time of ear emergence (TEE), confirming previous findings. These markers could be beneficial to complement and speed up DUS testing of new varieties, as well as for improving management of barley reference collections.
Exploring the Antecedents of Job Crafting: A Conditional Process Analysis
Authors: Berdicchia Domenico , Masino Giovanni
Published: November 2017

In this paper we investigate whether the relationship between leader and members (Leader-Member Exchange, LMX), a key element of work organization, constitutes a relevant antecedent for job crafting. We also investigate whether role breadth self-efficacy mediates such relationship. Then, we look at organizational-level policies, and explore whether human resource initiatives aimed at exposing employees to developmental experiences may influence both the direct relation between LMX and job crafting and the above mentioned mediated relation. Results of a conditional process analysis (a mediated moderation model) with a sample of 172 store level workers indicate that LMX has a positive influence on job crafting. Results also show that developmental experiences moderates the positive direct relationship of LMX on most job crafting behaviors. Moreover, we also found that developmental experiences moderate the positive indirect effect of LMX on some job crafting behaviors via role breadth self-efficacy. These direct and indirect effects of LMX are stronger when developmental experiences are lower. Managerial implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Disclosure Quality Measurement in the Public Sector: A Structured Literature Review
Authors: Bisogno Marco , Citro Francesca , Santis Serena , Tommasetti Aurelio
Published: November 2017

The study investigates previous research concerning disclosure quality measurement in the public sector context. The principal motivation for undertaking this analysis is the growing body of literature that has examined this issue from different perspectives in light of the increasing attention paid by academics and practitioners to the transparency and accountability of public sector entities. The study adopts a structured research methodology, aiming to offer a critical overview of the state of the art, highlighting the main issues investigated by scholars and the areas of research which are under-investigated, unveiling emerging gaps. In so doing, this study outlines a future research agenda.