bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Major Malformations Following Exposure to Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs During the First Trimester of Pregnancy
Authors: DANIEL SHARON , MATOK ILAN , GORODISCHER RAFAEL , KOREN GIDEON , UZIEL ELIA , WIZNITZER ARNON , LEVY AMALIA
Published: September 2012

Objective.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) are among the most common medicines used by pregnant women. Published data are controversial regarding fetal safety following intrauterine exposure to NSAID. We investigated exposure to NSAID in the first trimester in a large cohort of infants and fetuses.

Methods.

A computerized database of medications dispensed from 1998 to 2009 to all women registered in the “Clalit” health maintenance organization in Southern Israel was linked with 2 computerized databases containing maternal and infant hospitalization records. Pregnancy terminations for medical reasons were analyzed. The following confounders were controlled for: parity, maternal age, ethnicity, maternal pregestational diabetes, maternal inflammatory disease, and year of birth or pregnancy termination. First trimester exposure to nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors and to selective COX-2 inhibitors as groups and to individual drugs was analyzed.

Results.

There were 110,783 pregnancies during the study period: 109,544 singleton births and 1239 pregnancy terminations for medical reasons. In total, 5267 mothers were exposed to NSAID during the first trimester of pregnancy: 5153 to nonselective COX inhibitors and 114 to COX-2 selective inhibitors. Exposure to NSAID in the first trimester, as groups (nonselective COX and selective COX-2 inhibitors) and as individual drugs, was not associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations in general (adjusted OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.96−1.21 for nonselective; and adjusted OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.70−2.78, for selective COX-2 inhibitors), although an increased risk for musculoskeletal malformations was found following exposure to COX-2 selective inhibitors (adjusted OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.37−8.34).

Conclusion.

Intrauterine exposure to NSAID was not associated with increased risk for major congenital malformations. Further studies are needed to assess the risk for malformations after exposure to COX-2 selective inhibitors.
Sur la présupposition
Authors: Kleiber Georges
Published: September 2012

Cet article se propose de distinguer deux niveaux dans la notion de présupposition : celui du sens de la phrase où la présupposition est un élément du contenu sémantique de cette phrase (ou proposition) et celui des relations interphrastiques ou interpropositionnelles où la présupposition est une phrase (ou proposition) inférable d’une autre phrase (ou proposition). Une première partie étudie la représentation de la présupposition par une phrase (ou proposition) et les complications qui en découlent. Elle a pour but de prouver que seule la thèse d’une dissociation entre le niveau élément de contenu et le niveau inférentiel permet de maîtriser les difficultés rencontrées, au détriment de la classique distinction posé vs présupposé . La seconde partie présente deux types d’arguments militant en faveur de la thèse des deux niveaux, et montrant l’avantage de ce clivage pour le phénomène présuppositionnel lui-même.
Le religieux face au politique
Authors: Schlegel Jean-Louis
Published: September 2012

Resumé La société a-t-elle besoin du religieux ? Oui sans doute. Mais ce religieux est disséminé, vécu « à la carte » par l’individu. Quant au politique, il gère mais ne mobilise plus les citoyens. D’où la même relative faiblesse de l’Etat et des Eglises, le même déclin du militantisme.
Congrégations et associations cultuelles
Authors: Boyer Alain
Published: September 2012

Resumé L’exercice de la religion n’est pas le simple exercice du culte. Comment définir en droit les congrégations ? Comment assurer l’égalité réelle entre les «nouveaux» cultes (musulman, surtout) et les religions mieux «installées» ?. L’équilibre de la laïcité est toujours fragile.
Bioéthique, les normes et le discernement
Authors: Degos Laurent
Published: September 2012

Resumé A l’occasion de la révision des lois de bioéthique, un questionnement sur le rôle de la norme, cadre essentiel mais qui ne doit pas tout prévoir.
Vulnérables
Authors: Lebon Marie-Christine
Published: September 2012

Resumé Quand la maladie peut être source d’exclusion, l’hôpital est aussi l’occasion de lancer des passerelles et de résister à une logique de sélection.
Note de lecture
Authors: Perrot Étienne
Published: September 2012

Resumé Christian Laval, L’Homme économique. Essai sur les racines du néolibéralisme, Gallimard, 2008, 392 p., 24,90 €
Evisceration and Enucleation: A National Survey of Practice Patterns in the United States
Authors: Shah Ruchi D. , Singa Ramesh M. , Aakalu Vinay K. , Setabutr Pete
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The management of evisceration and enucleation has changed over time. The authors assessed the practice patterns regarding eye removal among oculoplastic surgeons.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Internet-based surveys were sent to American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons members regarding preferences in evisceration and/or enucleation, including indications, surgical techniques, preoperative evaluation modalities, implant types used, and postoperative complications experienced.

RESULTS:

Surgeons who recently completed fellowship training are more likely to perform eviscerations than their senior counterparts. The variety of viable implant types and the use of enucleation or evisceration for certain indications were not always in concordance with historical guiding principles. However, changing trends are in line with the current literature.

CONCLUSION:

Current practice patterns reflect recent literature and historical trends.
Performing self, performing character: Exploring gender performativity in online role-playing games
Authors: Osborne Heather
Published: September 2012

Online narrative (fiction-based) role-playing games and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) provide a ludic structure in which role players enact the gender and sexuality of their avatars. To investigate how role players perceive and perform their avatars' gender and sexuality in online games, I invited role players from MMORPGs and narrative RPGs to participate in an online survey. This study examines how the online game environment mediates players' self-expression and their acceptance of minority identities. Qualitative analysis of the data collected suggests that players who demonstrate empathy with and examination of their avatars' genders and sexualities, and who experience a sense of belonging within the game structure, are able to form positive interpersonal relationships that allow them to accept others' expressed identities.
Blogging and blooks: Communal authorship in a contemporary context
Authors: Stutsman Staci
Published: September 2012

The motivations behind the evolution of the blog to book vary from economic aspirations to a need for further fame to editors seizing an opportunity of publishing an author with a ready-made audience. I argue another motivation may be at work: blogging authors may view the switch into the less fluid medium of the print text as an attempt to reassert authorial control.
history of RPGs: Made by fans; played by fans
Authors: Mason Paul
Published: September 2012

I explore some aspects of the early history of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) that are perhaps not well known among media scholars, and which offer an alternative take on the idea of fan activity.
"Legitimating television: Media convergence and cultural status," by Michael Z. Newman and Elana Levine
Authors: Kohnen Melanie E. S.
Published: September 2012

Review of Michael Z. Newman and Elana Levine. Legitimating television: Media convergence and cultural status. New York: Routledge, 2011. Paperback, $36.95 (232p) ISBN 978-0415880268.
Authors and authorship
Authors: Editor TWC
Published: September 2012

Editorial, TWC No. 11 (September 15, 2012).
Protective Immunity against Pulmonary Cryptococcosis Is Associated with STAT1-Mediated Classical Macrophage Activation
Authors: Hardison Sarah E. , Herrera Gina , Young Mattie L. , Hole Camaron R. , Wozniak Karen L. , Wormley Floyd L.
Published: September 2012

Experimental pulmonary Cryptococcus neoformans infection in BALB/c mice is associated with polarized Th2-type cytokine production, alternative macrophage activation, and severe bronchopneumonia. In contrast, pulmonary infection with a C. neoformans strain that secretes IFN-γ, H99γ, elicits Th1-type cytokine production and classical macrophage activation. Additionally, mice infected with H99γ resolve the acute infection and are subsequently protected against challenge with wild-type C. neoformans. The present study characterizes macrophage activation during the protective response to wild-type C. neoformans in mice previously immunized with H99γ. We observed increased pulmonary Th1-type cytokine production in lung homogenates and classical macrophage activation as evidenced by enhanced expression of inducible NO synthase in the lungs of H99γ-immunized mice compared with mice given a nonprotective immunization with heat-killed C. neoformans (HKCn). Furthermore, macrophages isolated from H99γ-immunized mice on day 7 postchallenge and cultured in vitro were fungistatic against C. neoformans, whereas cryptococcal growth was uncontrolled within macrophages from HKCn-immunized mice. Th2-type cytokine production and induction of alternatively activated macrophages were also observed in lungs of HKCn-immunized mice during rechallenge. Gene expression arrays showed that classical macrophage activation during challenge infection in H99γ-immunized mice was associated with induction of the transcription factor STAT1 and its downstream targets IFN regulatory factor-1, suppressor of cytokine signaling-1, CXCL9, and CXCL10. These studies demonstrate that protective responses to C. neoformans challenge in immunized mice include classical macrophage activation and enhanced macrophage fungistasis of C. neoformans yeasts. Finally, the classical activation phenotype of protective anticryptococcal macrophages is likely mediated via STAT1 signal transduction pathways.
Immunoproteasome Subunit LMP7 Deficiency and Inhibition Suppresses Th1 and Th17 but Enhances Regulatory T Cell Differentiation
Authors: Kalim Khalid W. , Basler Michael , Kirk Christopher J. , Groettrup Marcus
Published: September 2012

The immunoproteasome generates peptides presented on MHC class I molecules to cytotoxic T cells. ONX 0914 (formerly called PR-957) is a selective inhibitor of the immunoproteasome subunit low molecular mass polypeptide (LMP) 7 (β5i) that attenuates disease progression in mouse models of diabetes, colitis, and arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LMP7-specific inhibition on major Th cell differentiation pathways involved in the progression of autoimmune diseases in vitro and in vivo. We used ONX 0914-treated wild-type CD4+ T cells and also LMP7−/− CD4+ T cells under different Th cell-polarizing conditions, focusing on the effector cytokines and transcription factors involved, and compared them with wild-type CD4+ T cells. Mouse models of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis and a T cell transfer model of colitis were used for in vivo assessment. Deletion or inhibition of LMP7 suppressed generation of Th17 but promoted regulatory T cell (Treg) development. In developing Th17 cells, immunoproteasome inhibition blocked phosphorylation of STAT3, whereas in Tregs, SMAD phosphorylation was enhanced. Additionally, LMP7 inhibition led to reduced STAT1 phosphorylation and Th1 differentiation. These findings were confirmed in vivo as LMP7 inhibition or deficiency resulted in reduced Th1 and Th17 expansion while promoting Treg development in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. Also, in a T cell-dependent transfer model of colitis, LMP7-specific inhibition led to reduced Th1 and Th17 differentiation in vivo. LMP7 governs Th cell lineage determination by affecting the balance of receptor proximal signals during differentiation. These data render LMP7 a promising drug target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Evaluating the MBTI® Form M in a South African context
Authors: Van Zyl Casper J.J. , Taylor Nicola
Published: September 2012

Orientation: Psychological instruments require continued refinement, updating and evaluation.Research purpose: To investigate the reliability, validity and differential item functioning of the MBTI® Form M across groups in South Africa using Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT) methods.Motivation for the study: To add to the continual research and improvement of the MBTI® Form M through the investigation of its psychometric properties across groups in South Africa.Research design, approach and method: This study falls within the quantitative research paradigm. Classical test theory methods and Rasch analysis were used to evaluate the functioning of the MBTI Form M across gender and ethnic groups. A cross-sectional study was completed consisting of 10 705 South African respondents.Main findings: Excellent reliability was found for the instrument across groups in the sample. Good evidence for construct validity was found using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Some evidence for uniform bias was found across ethnic and gender groups and a few items reflected non-uniform DIF across gender groups only. The effect of uniform and non-uniform DIF did not appear to have major practical implications for the interpretation of the scales.Practical/managerial implications: The results provided evidence that supports the psychometric validity of the MBTI instrument in the South African context.Contribution/value-add: This study is the largest study to date regarding the psychometric functioning of the MBTI instrument in South Africa. It contributes to the evolution of the instrument in line with the legislative requirements concerning the use of psychometric tests in South Africa.
On the Counting Function of Elliptic Carmichael Numbers
Authors: Luca Florian , Shparlinski Igor E.
Published: September 2012

We give an upper bound for the number of elliptic Carmichael numbers n ≤ x that were recently introduced by J. H. Silverman in the case of an elliptic curve without complex multiplication (non CM). We also discuss several possible further improvements.
Rationality and the Jordan–Gatti–Viniberghi Decomposition
Authors: Levy Jason
Published: September 2012

We verify our earlier conjecture and use it to prove that the semisimple parts of the rational Jordan–Kac–Vinberg decompositions of a rational vector all lie in a single rational orbit.
Languages, Nations and Identities
Authors: Carter Bob , Sealey Alison
Published: September 2012

This article reviews a range of ways in which issues of national identity have been shown to be linked with the topic of language. We suggest that there is scope for development both of the theoretical underpinning to claims made about the nature of these links, and also, in consequence, to the methodological approaches appropriate to empirical investigations of them. Here, we explore the ways in which aspects of the social world such as those summarised above are understood theoretically. The first part of the paper argues that debates about the relationship of languages to forms of social identity, particularly those associated with nationalisms, often make a number of assumptions – about languages, about collectivities and about social agency. The second part interrogates these assumptions and proposes the utility of realist theory in evaluating claims in this area. In the final part of the paper, we outline the methodological implications of our argument.
Depression storage and infiltration effects on overland flow depth-velocity-friction at desert conditions: field plot results and model
Authors: Rossi M. J. , Ares J. O.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Water infiltration and overland flow are relevant in considering water partition among plant life forms, the sustainability of vegetation and the design of sustainable hydrological models and management. In arid and semi-arid regions, these processes present characteristic trends imposed by the prevailing physical conditions of the upper soil as evolved under water-limited climate. A set of plot-scale field experiments at the semi-arid Patagonian Monte (Argentina) were performed in order to estimate the effect of depression storage areas and infiltration rates on depths, velocities and friction of overland flows. The micro-relief of undisturbed field plots was characterized at z-scale 1 mm through close-range stereo-photogrammetry and geo-statistical tools. The overland flow areas produced by controlled water inflows were video-recorded and the flow velocities were measured with image processing software. Antecedent and post-inflow moisture were measured, and texture, bulk density and physical properties of the upper soil were estimated based on soil core analyses. Field data were used to calibrate a physically-based, mass balanced, time explicit model of infiltration and overland flows. Modelling results reproduced the time series of observed flow areas, velocities and infiltration depths. Estimates of hydrodynamic parameters of overland flow (Reynolds-Froude numbers) are informed. To our knowledge, the study here presented is novel in combining several aspects that previous studies do not address simultaneously: (1) overland flow and infiltration parameters were obtained in undisturbed field conditions; (2) field measurements of overland flow movement were coupled to a detailed analysis of soil microtopography at 1 mm depth scale; (3) the effect of depression storage areas in infiltration rates and depth-velocity friction of overland flows is addressed. Relevance of the results to other similar desert areas is justified by the accompanying biogeography analysis of similarity of the environment where this study was performed with other desert areas of the world.
A VISUAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR UAS BASED ON GEO-REFERENCED IMAGERY
Authors: Conte G. , Doherty P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. This article presents an approach to the terrain-aided navigation problem suitable for unmanned aerial vehicles ﬂying at low altitude. The problem of estimating the state parameters of a ﬂying vehicle is addressed in the particular situation where the GPS information is unavailable or unreliable due to jamming situations for instance. The proposed state estimation approach fuses information from inertial and image sensors. Absolute localization is obtained through image-to-map registration. For this purpose, 2D satellite images are used. The algorithms presented are implemented and tested on-board an industrial unmanned helicopter. Flight-test results will be presented.
INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ACCURACY OF THE NAVIGATION DATA OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE SYSTEM MIKROKOPTER
Authors: Bäumker M. , Przybilla H.-J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Bochum University of Applied Sciences (HS BO) is currently involved in an UAV project, whose fundamental developments are the result of an internet community. The MikroKopter system, being built by the laboratory, is a manually and autonomous flying platform. With regard to the implementation of an autonomous flight the MikroKopter is equipped with appropriate sensors for the flight control. The interaction of these components allows horizontal and vertical stabilized positioning of the system, as well as the return to the launch site. Using these positioning data a stabilization and orientation of the camera occurs, followed by a manual or automatically triggering of the camera to the predetermined positions. All flight data is completely recorded and can be evaluated at a later date. Investigations to the quality of navigation data are presented. Based on different flights at the Bochum test field, combined with the use of alternative navigation sensors, an evaluation of the standard components of the MikroKopter system occurs. Another focus is given by efforts to optimize the control, stabilization and orientation of the camera.
THE PIXHAWK OPEN-SOURCE COMPUTER VISION FRAMEWORK FOR MAVS
Authors: Meier L. , Tanskanen P. , Fraundorfer F. , Pollefeys M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and micro air vehicles (MAV) are already intensively used in geodetic applications. State of the art autonomous systems are however geared towards the application area in safe and obstacle-free altitudes greater than 30 meters. Applications at lower altitudes still require a human pilot. A new application ﬁeld will be the reconstruction of structures and buildings, including the facades and roofs, with semi-autonomous MAVs. Ongoing research in the MAV robotics ﬁeld is focusing on enabling this system class to operate at lower altitudes in proximity to nearby obstacles and humans. PIXHAWK is an open source and open hardware toolkit for this purpose. The quadrotor design is optimized for onboard computer vision and can connect up to four cameras to its onboard computer. The validity of the system design is shown with a fully autonomous capture ﬂight along a building.
AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF 3D TERRAIN MAPPING WITH AN AUTONOMOUS HELICOPTER
Authors: Hudzietz B. P. , Saripalli S.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We demonstrate a method for unmanned aerial vehicle based structure from motion mapping and show it to be a viable option for large scale, high resolution terrain modeling. Current methods of large scale terrain modeling can be cost and time prohibitive. We present a method for integrating low cost cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles for the purpose of 3D terrain mapping. Using structure from motion, aerial images taken of the landscape can be reconstructed into 3D models of the terrain. This process is well suited for use on unmanned aerial vehicles due to the light weight and low cost of equipment. We discuss issues of ﬂight path planning and propose an algorithm to assist in the generation of these paths. The structure from motion mapping process is experimentally evaluated in three distinct environments: ground based testing on man-made environments, ground based testing on natural environments, and airborne testing on natural environments. Ground based testing on natural environments was shown to be extremely useful for camera calibration, and the resulting models were found to have a maximum error of 4.26 cm and standard deviation of 1.50 cm. During airborne testing, several areas of approximately 30,000 m2 were mapped. These areas were mapped with acceptable accuracy and a resolution of 1.24 cm.
REAL-TIME UAV BASED GEOSPATIAL VIDEO INTEGRATED INTO THE FIRE BRIGADES CRISIS MANAGEMENT GIS SYSTEM
Authors: van Persie M. , Oostdijk A. , Fix J. , van Sijl M. C. , Edgardh L.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. During a fire incident live airborne video offers the fire brigade an additional means of information. Essential for the effective usage of the daylight and infra red video data from the UAS is that the information is fully integrated into the crisis management system of the fire brigade. This is a GIS based system in which all relevant geospatial information is brought together and automatically distributed to all levels of the organisation. In the context of the Dutch Fire-Fly project a geospatial video server was integrated with a UAS and the fire brigades crisis management system, so that real-time geospatial airborne video and derived products can be made available at all levels during a fire incident. The most important elements of the system are the Delftdynamics Robot Helicopter, the Video Multiplexing System, the Keystone geospatial video server/editor and the Eagle and CCS-M crisis management systems. In discussion with the Security Region North East Gelderland user requirements and a concept of operation were defined, demonstrated and evaluated. This article describes the technical and operational approach and results.
SUSI 62 A ROBUST AND SAFE PARACHUTE UAV WITH LONG FLIGHT TIME AND GOOD PAYLOAD
Authors: Thamm H. P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. In many research areas in the geo-sciences (erosion, land use, land cover change, etc.) or applications (e.g. forest management, mining, land management etc.) there is a demand for remote sensing images of a very high spatial and temporal resolution. Due to the high costs of classic aerial photo campaigns, the use of a UAV is a promising option for obtaining the desired remote sensed information at the time it is needed. However, the UAV must be easy to operate, safe, robust and should have a high payload and long flight time. For that purpose, the parachute UAV SUSI 62 was developed. It consists of a steel frame with a powerful 62 cm3 2- stroke engine and a parachute wing. The frame can be easily disassembled for transportation or to replace parts. On the frame there is a gimbal mounted sensor carrier where different sensors, standard SLR cameras and/or multi-spectral and thermal sensors can be mounted. Due to the design of the parachute, the SUSI 62 is very easy to control. Two different parachute sizes are available for different wind speed conditions. The SUSI 62 has a payload of up to 8 kg providing options to use different sensors at the same time or to extend flight duration. The SUSI 62 needs a runway of between 10 m and 50 m, depending on the wind conditions. The maximum flight speed is approximately 50 km/h. It can be operated in a wind speed of up to 6 m/s. The design of the system utilising a parachute UAV makes it comparatively safe as a failure of the electronics or the remote control only results in the UAV coming to the ground at a slow speed. The video signal from the camera, the GPS coordinates and other flight parameters are transmitted to the ground station in real time. An autopilot is available, which guarantees that the area of investigation is covered at the desired resolution and overlap. The robustly designed SUSI 62 has been used successfully in Europe, Africa and Australia for scientific projects and also for agricultural, forestry and industrial applications.
SURVEYING A LANDSLIDE IN A ROAD EMBANKMENT USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE PHOTOGRAMMETRY
Authors: Carvajal F. , Agüera F. , Pérez M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Most of the works of civil engineering, and some others applications, need to be designed using a basic cartography with a suitable scale to the accuracy and extension of the plot.The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Photogrammetry covers the gap between classical manned aerial photogrammetry and hand- made surveying techniques because it works in the close-range domain, combining aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry, but also introduces low-cost alternatives. The aim of this work is developing of an accurate and low-cost method to characterize landslides located on the size of a road. It was applied at the kilometric point 339 belonging to the A92 dual carriageway, in the Abla municipal term, province of Almeria, Spain. A photogrammetric project was carried out from a set of images taken from an md4-200 Microdrones with an on-board calibrated camera 12 Megapixels Pentax Optio A40. The flight was previously planned to cover the whole extension of the embankment with three passes composed of 18 photos each one. All the images were taken with the vertical axe and it was registered 85% and 60% longitudinal and transversal overlaps respectively. The accuracy of the products, with planimetric and altimetric errors of 0.049 and 0.108m repectively, lets to take measurements of the landslide and projecting preventive and palliative actuations.
UAV BASED BRDF-MEASUREMENTS OF AGRICULTURAL SURFACES WITH PFIFFIKUS
Authors: Grenzdörffer G. J. , Niemeyer F.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. BRDF is a common problem in remote sensing and also in oblique photogrammetry. Common approaches of BRDF-measurement with a field goniometer are costly and rather cumbersome. UAVs may offer an interesting alternative by using a special flight pattern of oblique and converging images. The main part of this paper is the description of a photogrammetric workflow in order to determine the anisotropic reflection properties of a given surface. Due to the relatively low flying heights standard procedures from close range photogrammetry were adopted for outdoor usage. The photogrammetric processing delivered automatic and highly accurate orientation information with the aid of coded targets. The interior orientation of the consumer grade camera is more or less stable. The radiometrically corrected oblique images are converted into ortho photos. The azimuth and elevation angle of every point may then be computed. The calculated anisotropy of a winter wheat plot is shown. A system four diagonally-looking cameras (Four Vision) and an additional nadir looking camera is under development. The multi camera system especially designed for a Micro- UAV with a payload of min 1 kg. The system is composed of five industrial digital frame cameras (1.3 Mpix CCD-chips, 15 fp/s) with fixed lenses. Also special problems with the construction of a light weight housing of the multi camera solution are covered in the paper.
MAV-BASED REAL-TIME LOCALIZATION OF TERRESTRIAL TARGETS WITH CM-LEVEL ACCURACY: FEASIBILITY STUDY
Authors: Akhtman Y. , Garg A. , Skaloud J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We carry out a comprehensive feasibility study for a real-time cm-level localization of a predeﬁned terrestrial target from a MAV-based autonomous platform. Speciﬁcally, we conduct an error propagation analysis which quantiﬁes all potential error sources, and accounts for their respective contribution to the ﬁnal result. Furthermore, we provide a description of a practical MAV system using the available technology and of-the-shelf components. We demonstrate that, indeed, the desired localization precision of a few centimeters may be realistically achieved under a set of necessary constraints.
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC PERFORMANCE OF AN ULTRA LIGHT WEIGHT SWINGLET "UAV"
Authors: Vallet J. , Panissod F. , Strecha C. , Tracol M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Low cost mapping using UAV technology is becoming a trendy topic. Many systems exist where a simple camera can be deployed to take images, generally georeferenced with a GPS chip and MEMS attitude sensors. The step from using those images as information picture to photogrammetric products with geo-reference, such as digital terrain model (DTM) or orthophotos is not so big. New development in the field of image correlation allow matching rapidly and accurately images together, build a relative orientation of an image block, extract a DTM and produce orthoimage through a web server.The following paper focuses on the photogrammetric performance of an ultra light UAV equipped with a compact 12Mpix camera combined with online data processes provided by Pix4D. First, the step of image orientation is studied with the camera calibration step, thus the DTM extraction will be compared with conventional results from conventional photogrammetric software, new generation technique of pixel correlation and with reference data issued from high density laser scanning. The quality of orthoimage is presented in terms of quality and geometric accuracy.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF REAL-TIME GEOSPATIALUAS MISSIONS WITHIN A VIRTUAL GLOBE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Nebiker S. , Eugster H. , Flückiger K. , Christen M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. This paper presents the design and development of a hardware and software framework supporting all phases of typical monitoring and mapping missions with mini and micro UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). The developed solution combines state-of-the art collaborative virtual globe technologies with advanced geospatial imaging techniques and wireless data link technologies supporting the combined and highly reliable transmission of digital video, high-resolution still imagery and mission control data over extended operational ranges. The framework enables the planning, simulation, control and real-time monitoring of UAS missions in application areas such as monitoring of forest fires, agronomical research, border patrol or pipeline inspection. The geospatial components of the project are based on the Virtual Globe Technology i3D OpenWebGlobe of the Institute of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). i3D OpenWebGlobe is a high-performance 3D geovisualisation engine supporting the web-based streaming of very large amounts of terrain and POI data.
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC EVALUATION OF MULTI-TEMPORAL FIXED WING UAV IMAGERY
Authors: Gülch E.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Several flights have been undertaken with PAMS (Photogrammetric Aerial Mapping System) by Germatics, Germany, which is briefly introduced. This system is based on the SmartPlane fixed-wing UAV and a CANON IXUS camera system. The plane is equipped with GPS and has an infrared sensor system to estimate attitude values. A software has been developed to link the PAMS output to a standard photogrammetric processing chain built on Trimble INPHO. The linking of the image files and image IDs and the handling of different cases with partly corrupted output have to be solved to generate an INPHO project file. Based on this project file the software packages MATCH-AT, MATCH-T DSM, OrthoMaster and OrthoVista for digital aerial triangulation, DTM/DSM generation and finally digital orthomosaik generation are applied. The focus has been on investigations on how to adapt the "usual" parameters for the digital aerial triangulation and other software to the UAV flight conditions, which are showing high overlaps, large kappa angles and a certain image blur in case of turbulences. It was found, that the selected parameter setup shows a quite stable behaviour and can be applied to other flights. Investigations have been performed to improve the image quality estimates by the PAMS software and extend it to whole images. This gives the user a reliable basis when deciding on rejecting images with low quality for the follow-up process. Flights over the same area at different times have been compared to each other. The major objective was first to see, on how far differences occur relative to each other, without having access to ground control data, which would have a potential for applications with low requirements on the absolute accuracy. In a second stage the results are compared to GPS measurements on the ground. The results show, that there are influences of weather and illumination visible. The "unusual" flight pattern, which shows big time differences for neighbouring strips has an influence on the AT and DTM/DSM generation. The results obtained so far do indicate problems in the stability of the camera calibration and a need for some GCPs. It is clearly recommended to use at least a moderate number of GCPs for all projects, independent on the application, as the GPS data of the sensor does not proof to be sufficient.
PROJECT ARCHEYE – THE QUADROCOPTER AS THE ARCHAEOLOGIST'S EYE
Authors: Seitz C. , Altenbach H.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. In archaeological research the exploration of archaeological monuments from the air has a long tradition and thus can be seen as a necessary component. At this point our project 'ArchEye' steps in as a cheap and ﬂexible method and also as a new way to document different archaeological areas and objects without using manned aircrafts.
MEASURING SUNFLOWER NITROGEN STATUS FROM AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE-BASED SYSTEM AND AN ON THE GROUND DEVICE
Authors: Agüera F. , Carvajal F. , Pérez M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Precision agriculture recognizes the inherent spatial variability associated with soil characteristics, land morphology and crop growth, and uses this information to prescribe the most appropriate management strategy on a site-specific basis. To reach this task, the most important information related with crop growth is nutrient status, weed infestation, disease and pet affectation and water management. The application of fertilizer nitrogen to field crops is of critical importance because it determines plant's gro wth, vigour, colour and yield. Furthermore, nitrogen has been observed as a nutrient with high spatial variability in a single field, related to its high mobility. Some previous works have shown that is possible to measure crop nitrogen status with optical instruments. Since most leaf nitrogen is contained in chlorophyll molecules, there is a strong relationship between leaf nitrogen and leaf chlorophyll content, which is the basis for predicting crop nitrogen status by measuring leaf reflectance. So, sensors that can easily monitor crop nitrogen amount throughout the growing season at a high resolution to allow producers to reach their production goals, will give useful information to prescribe a crop management on a site-specific basis. Sunflower is a crop which is taking importance again because it can be used both for food and biofuel purposes, and it is widely cultivated in the South of Spain and other European countries.The aim of this work was to compare an index related with sunflower nitrogen status, deduced from multispectral images taken from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), with optical data collected with a ground-based platform.An ADC Lite Tetracam digital cam was mounted on a md4-200 Microdrones to take pictures of a sunflower field during the crop season. ADC Lite Tetracam is a single sensor digital camera designed for capture of visible light wavelength longer than 520 nm and near-infrared wavelength up to 920 nm. The md4-200 Microdrones is an UAV which can be programmed to follow a route defined by several way-points and actions. The ground-based device was a Pacific Vision, Inc. multispectral radiometer. Four images with both systems were taken during the crop season and an index related with nitrogen crop status was calculated from them and compared in a sunflower field that had four irrigation treatments and eight nitrogen application rates, resulting in 32 plots of 7 m by 3.4 m, with a plant density of 7.1 plants m-2. Calculated Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from both measurement systems was a good indicator of nitrogen applied, but the UAV-based system provided a better estimate than ground-based system because in the first system was possible to eliminate the soil and shadows for calculating the index..
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF UAV-BASED PHOTOGRAMMETRY UNDER ECONOMIC ASPECTS
Authors: Sauerbier M. , Siegrist E. , Eisenbeiss H. , Demir N.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Nowadays, small size UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) have reached a level of practical reliability and functionality that enables this technology to enter the geomatics market as an additional platform for spatial data acquisition. Though one could imagine a wide variety of interesting sensors to be mounted on such a device, here we will focus on photogrammetric applications using digital cameras. In praxis, UAV-based photogrammetry will only be accepted if it a) provides the required accuracy and an additional value and b) if it is competitive in terms of economic application compared to other measurement technologies. While a) was already proven by the scientific community and results were published comprehensively during the last decade, b) still has to be verified under real conditions. For this purpose, a test data set representing a realistic scenario provided by ETH Zurich was used to investigate cost effectiveness and to identify weak points in the processing chain that require further development. Our investigations are limited to UAVs carrying digital consumer cameras, for larger UAVs equipped with medium format cameras the situation has to be considered as significantly different. Image data was acquired during flights using a microdrones MD4-1000 quadrocopter equipped with an Olympus PE-1 digital compact camera. From these images, a subset of 5 images was selected for processing in order to register the effort of time required for the whole production chain of photogrammetric products. We see the potential of mini UAV-based photogrammetry mainly in smaller areas, up to a size of ca. 100 hectares. Larger areas can be efficiently covered by small airplanes with few images, reducing processing effort drastically. In case of smaller areas of a few hectares only, it depends more on the products required. UAVs can be an enhancement or alternative to GNSS measurements, terrestrial laser scanning and ground based photogrammetry. We selected the above mentioned test data from a project featuring an area of interest within the practical range for mini UAVs. While flight planning and flight operation are already quite efficient processes, the bottlenecks identified are mainly related to image processing. Although we used specific software for image processing, the identified gaps in the processing chain today are valid for most commercial photogrammetric software systems on the market. An outlook proposing improvements for a practicable workflow applicable in projects in private economy will be given.
PERFORMANCE TEST ON UAV-BASED PHOTOGRAMMETRIC DATA COLLECTION
Authors: Haala N. , Cramer M. , Weimer F. , Trittler M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. UAVs are becoming standard platforms for applications aiming at photogrammetric data capture. Since these systems can be completely built-up at very reasonable prices, their use can be very cost effective. This is especially true while aiming at large scale aerial mapping of areas at limited extent. Within the paper the capability of UAV-based data collection will be evaluated. These investigations will be based on flights performed at a photogrammetric test site which was already flown during extensive tests of digital photogrammetric camera systems. Thus, a comparison to conventional aerial survey with state-of-the-art digital airborne camera systems is feasible. Due to this reason the efficiency and quality of generating standard mapping products like DSM and ortho images from UAV flights in photogrammetric block configuration will be discussed.
CONTEXT-BASED URBAN TERRAIN RECONSTRUCTION FROM UAV-VIDEOS FOR GEOINFORMATION APPLICATIONS
Authors: Bulatov D. , Solbrig P. , Gross H. , Wernerus P. , Repasi E. , Heipke C.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Urban terrain reconstruction has many applications in areas of civil engineering, urban planning, surveillance and defense research. Therefore the needs of covering ad-hoc demand and performing a close-range urban terrain reconstruction with miniaturized and relatively inexpensive sensor platforms are constantly growing. Using (miniaturized) unmanned aerial vehicles, (M)UAVs, represents one of the most attractive alternatives to conventional large-scale aerial imagery. We cover in this paper a four-step procedure of obtaining georeferenced 3D urban models from video sequences. The four steps of the procedure – orientation, dense reconstruction, urban terrain modeling and geo-referencing – are robust, straight-forward, and nearly fully-automatic. The two last steps – namely, urban terrain modeling from almost-nadir videos and co-registration of models 6ndash; represent the main contribution of this work and will therefore be covered with more detail. The essential substeps of the third step include digital terrain model (DTM) extraction, segregation of buildings from vegetation, as well as instantiation of building and tree models. The last step is subdivided into quasi- intrasensorial registration of Euclidean reconstructions and intersensorial registration with a geo-referenced orthophoto. Finally, we present reconstruction results from a real data-set and outline ideas for future work.
EGNOS-BASED MULTI-SENSOR ACCURATE AND RELIABLE NAVIGATION IN SEARCH-AND-RESCUE MISSIONS WITH UAVS
Authors: Molina P. , Colomina I. , Vitoria T. , Silva P. F. , Stebler Y. , Skaloud J. , Kornus W. , Prades R.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. This paper will introduce and describe the goals, concept and overall approach of the European 7th Framework Programme's project named CLOSE-SEARCH, which stands for 'Accurate and safe EGNOS-SoL Navigation for UAV-based low-cost SAR operations'. The goal of CLOSE-SEARCH is to integrate in a helicopter-type unmanned aerial vehicle, a thermal imaging sensor and a multi-sensor navigation system (based on the use of a Barometric Altimeter (BA), a Magnetometer (MAGN), a Redundant Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and an EGNOS-enabled GNSS receiver) with an Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (AIM) capability, to support the search component of Search-And-Rescue operations in remote, difficult-to-access areas and/or in time critical situations. The proposed integration will result in a hardware and software prototype that will demonstrate an end-to-end functionality, that is to fly in patterns over a region of interest (possibly inaccessible) during day or night and also under adverse weather conditions and locate there disaster survivors or lost people through the detection of the body heat. This paper will identify the technical challenges of the proposed approach, from navigating with a BA/MAGN/RINS/GNSS-EGNOSbased integrated system to the interpretation of thermal images for person identification. Moreover, the AIM approach will be described together with the proposed integrity requirements. Finally, this paper will show some results obtained in the project during the first test campaign performed on November 2010. On that day, a prototype was flown in three different missions to assess its high-level performance and to observe some fundamental mission parameters as the optimal flying height and flying speed to enable body recognition. The second test campaign is scheduled for the end of 2011.
UPDATING OBJECT FOR GIS DATABASE INFORMATION USING HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE IMAGES: A CASE STUDY ZONGULDAK
Authors: Alkan M. , Arca D. , Bayik Ç. , Marangoz A. M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Nowadays Geographic Information Systems (GIS) uses Remote Sensing (RS) data for a lot of applications. One of the application areas is the updating of the GIS database using high resolution imagery. In this context high resolution satellite imagery data is very important for many applications areas today's and future. And also, high resolution satellite imagery data will be used in many applications for different purposes. Information systems needs to high resolution imagery data for updating. Updating is very important component for the any of the GIS systems. One of this area will be updated and kept alive GIS database information. High resolution satellite imagery is used with different data base which serve map information via internet and different aims of information systems applications in future topographic and cartographic information systems will very important in our country in this sense use of the satellite images will be unavoidable. In this study explain to how is acquired to satellite images and how is use this images in information systems for object and roads. Firstly, pan-sharpened two of the IKONOS's images have been produced by fusion of high resolution PAN and MS images using PCI Geomatica v9.1 software package. Automatic object extraction has been made using eCognition v4.0.6. On the other hand, these objects have been manually digitized from high resolution images using ArcGIS v9.3. software package. Application section of in this study, satellite images data will be compared each other and GIS objects and road database. It is also determined which data is useful in Geographic Information Systems. Finally, this article explains that integration of remote sensing technology and GIS applications.