bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the Grain Size of Sand on Expansive Soil
Authors: Atemimi Yahya K.
Published: August 2020

The interest in expansive soils goes as far as they were considered as a new phase of soil mechanics. Problems associated with potential volume change of soils occur worldwide, mainly in the arid and semi-arid climatic region, as is the case of the country of this research. These problems are particularly existed in regions where the variation in the moisture content can cause a potential expansiveness of the soil. In fact, Bentonite/Sand mixture represents one of the available answers for the geotechnical engineering problems such as heaves, cracks and other damages caused by swelling and shrinkage. This mixture may be used to 1) reduce the settlement time of structures, and 2) increase the permeability of soils. The main target of the present work is to demonstrate the influence of adding sand on an expansive soil (bentonite) behavior. This includes an investigation to the effect of the amount and the particles size of sand on the physical properties of the expansive soil. The reduction in swelling and swelling pressure of the expansive soil by the addition of different percentages and different particles size of sand and the consequent effect on strength characteristic were also studied. Thirteen samples of Bentonite/sand mixture were used in this study to evaluate the effect of the sand percentages on the swelling behavior. To implement the laboratory program, many tests were used which were sieve analysis, Atterberg’s limits, compaction, and free swelling test with swelling pressure test. The results indicated a reduction in the liquid limit of around 55% and in the plastic limit of around 54%, where the increase in the maximum dry density was 46%. On the other hand, the reduction in the swelling pressure was 87.5%.
Diagnostic Geotechnical Study of Cracks Experienced by Residential Compound: A Case Study
Authors: Mohammed Ali Taghreed Kh. , Ashour Al.Khuzaie Hussein M. , Abbas Basim Jabbar , Allous Muayad B.A. , Abdulsamad Balen Z.
Published: August 2020

Swelling soil is a type of problematic soils. It always causes different types of failures such as cracks experienced by structures founded on this soil due to swelling. A residential compound has been built as one-story houses in Sargalu (Kurdistan region, Iraq) experienced cracks. These failures appear in different shapes of cracks mainly diagonal in walls under the window openings and hair cracks in walkways. The soil of site is clay soil with moderate to high plasticity and swelling potential. This classification of the soil was investigated by taking specimens form pits so closed to the foundation of the structures. The soil properties were studied: soil grain size distribution, plasticity indices, unconfined compression strength, and water content. The diagnose gives the cause of the deterioration to the houses, which is as a result of swelling potential of the clay soil due to the seasonal variation of moisture content.
Al-Hadba Minaret, a Contribution in Characterizing of its Brick
Authors: Al-Omari Asaad , Khattab Suhail I.A.
Published: August 2020

Al-Hadba minaret is one of the ultimate minarets in beauty and excellence that belonged to the constructions of Zankid dynasties in Syria and upper Mesopotamia. The minaret was built during the 12th entury, it is located in the center of old Mosul city-Northern Iraq. This minaret is the most famous in the Middle East, since it has a significant curvature (banana shape) that threatens its integrity. Unfortunately, the main parts of this monument were destroyed during the last military operations in 2017. Nowadays, there are serious attempts to reconstruct the minaret. The objective of this study is to characterize the original bricks, one of the main building materials of the minaret, in an attempt to complete planning preparations for returning to Mosul its historic value. In this research, the ancient bricks were characterized under different laboratory tests including the determination of skeletal density, porosity, free water absorption, forced water absorption, water retention capacity, capillarity parameters and uniaxial compressive strength. It is expected that the information obtained from this study can be helpful in providing the important knowledge for selecting the suitable and compatible material for the future reconstruction and maintenance works.
Concrete and Fiber Concrete Impact Strength
Authors: Surianinov Mykola , Andronov Vladimir , Otrosh Yurii , Makovkina Tetiana , Vasiukov Sergii
Published: August 2020

The results of experimental studies of the impact strength of samples of concrete and steel fiber concrete are presented. For dispersed reinforcement, three types of steel fiber were used - with bent ends, wave and flattened. Tests were conducted to determine the static and dynamic bending strength, and then - impact tests on the pendulum headstock MK-30. It was found that the impact strength increases significantly in the presence of fiber, but the type of fiber has almost no effect on it. Since specimens reinforced with a fiber content of 1.0 and 1.5% differ slightly in impact strength, 1.0% dispersed reinforcement in volume is recommended, both under static and dynamic loads.
Determination of Integrated Safety of High-Risk Structures According to Criteria of Acceptable and Manageable Risks
Authors: Azarov Sergiy , Yeremenko Sergiy , Shevchenko Roman , Shcherbak Stanislav , Mashkov Viktor
Published: August 2020

The paper considers the transition from traditional methods and systems for determining the standard and limit states of potentially dangerous objects by criteria of strength, resource and reliability to new perspective methods for assessing the risks of managing them. The conditions for ensuring the complex safety and security of the equipment and high-risk structures by the criteria of acceptable and managed risks are determined. It is established that the level of risk for assessing the safety status of a potentially dangerous object is defined as a probabilistic measure of the occurrence of man-made or natural phenomena, which are accompanied by the formation and action of harmful factors, as well as inflicted social, environmental, economic and other kinds of losses.
Designing of Structural Construction and Orthotropic Slabs from Steel Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Lapenko Olexandr , Baranetska Dariia , Makarov Vasyl , Baranetskyi Andrii
Published: August 2020

In the article, the results of experimental researches of elements of structural steel reinforced slabs are presented. And the particularities of the work of structural designs under load are identified.
Kesulitan Menggenggam pada Proses Belajar Menulis dan Membaca Anak DCD
Authors: Wardah Ningsih Rahmi
Published: August 2020

Although the learning process of writing involves all other supporting elements, such as stimulation from parents, the ability to coordinate fingers in grasping is a major aspect of the process. This study examines the causes of grasping difficulties as well as their relation to children's learning and writing processes. Analysis of this study using journal analysis. The findings show that Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) or poor motor skills are the main cause of difficulty grasping children. DCD levels were tested by Finger Tapping (FT), Curve Tracing (CT), and Paragraph Writing tests. Whereas 2 experimental tasks, Manik Threading and Per-Board were used to assess the FMS of reading children. This meta-analysis concludes that DCD influences the learning process of writing children and Fine Motor Performance is also related to the process of early reading for early childhood. Researcher's solution, recommends a comprehensive eye examination for children's eye and finger coordination and helps improve children's FMS, perform occupational therapy for children with DCD as well as continuous stimulus for children to train their fingers in the learning process of writing and early reading in children.
Follow up on External Audit Result: Evidence from Telecommunications Companies in Indonesia
Authors: Wahyuni Wahyuni , Darwin Khadijah , Fuada Nurul
Published: August 2020

This study aims to analyze the follow-up of external audit results at PT. Telkom Region IX, Tbk. The research method used by researchers is quantitative descriptive data collection in the form of financial statements audited by the internal auditors and external auditors in 2018 and followed up by asking opinions for informants related to financial reporting. Based on the results of an analysis of research conducted at PT. Telkom states that the audited financial statements in 2018 show the results of an opinion that is reasonable with the exception due to inconsistencies and human resources implementing multiple positions in a company's activities, which can be seen when preparing different fixed asset reports in 2017 and 2018 , so based on the problem it does not show the category of cheating because the reasons presented by the management at the time of the inspection are considered reasonable because it is only done once so that the calculation of depreciation in the following year does not repeat the mistake again, but if the following year changes the depreciation method then this is a an intentional fraud because it has been committed more than once.
Apparatus and Public Budget Management: Evidence from Regional Government in North Gorontalo
Authors: Rizal Rahma , Lomagio Afriana
Published: August 2020

This study aims to analyze and assess the process of managing government apparatus and public spending on regional governments in North Gorontalo. The type of data used is secondary data in the form of Budget Realization Reports. This study analyzes the optimization of apparatus and public expenditure in 2017, 2018 and 2019 at the North Gorontalo District Transmigration and Manpower Office. The results showed that overall the level of optimization of the achievements of the Apparatus and Public Expenditures of the North Gorontalo District Transmigration and Manpower Office in 2017, 2018 and 2019 included in the criteria was very optimal. On average, the apparatus expenditure proceeds to be greater than public spending. The results of this calculation indicate that the portion of apparatus expenditure is still considered too high when compared to public spending
Uso de la tecnología digital (TIC) en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje en la escuela académico profesional de tecnología médica de la UNMSM. Año 2014
Authors: Huaraz Loyola Frida Libertad
Published: August 2020

OBJETIVO: La presente investigación permitió determinar en qué medida el docente de la E.A.P. de Tecnología  Médica hace uso el uso de la Tecnología Digital en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje. METODOLOGÍA:  Es  no  experimental transversal­descriptivo correlacional. La población conformada por 71 docentes que desarrollaron  actividades académicas el 2014, considerándose, como muestra, el mismo nú mero de docentes. Con el análisis  estadístico se determina que hay 59.2%  profesores y 40.8%  profesoras. Los docentes usan casi siempre las herramientas como el Hardware, Software y  telemática. En el trabajo  docente, las TIC,  influyen significativamente en cambio la actitud del docente, no influye sobre el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje. Una buena formación en las TIC permite al docente desarrollar una buna didáctica en el proceso de EA. RESULTADOS: Según los resultados, se observa que Los docentes de la E.A.P. de Tecnología Médica están medianamente capacitados en el uso de la  tecnología.
Aislamiento de candida albicans en la cavidad oral en los niños en edad escolar de la zona urbana del municipio de Chaguaní – Cundinamarca y variables asociadas a sintomatología
Authors: Guatibonza Andrea Milena , Giraldo Julio Cesar , Gutiérrez Elizabeth , Ricaurte Laura Alejandra
Published: August 2020

La candidiasis oral se ha considerado como una de las infecciones más frecuentes en la cavidad bucal, la cual es atribuida a Candida albicans  en la mayoría de los casos y en los niños generalmente cursa de manera asintomática. OBJETIVO: Identificar las posibles variables asocia­ das a la sintomatología correspondiente a candidiasis oral presentada en niños en edad pre­ escolar y escolar.  METODOLOGÍA: Se incluyeron 99 muestras de ni­ ños en edad pre­escolar y escolar cuyos padres asin­ tieron participar voluntariamente con la firma de un asentimiento informado y el diligenciamiento de una encuesta epidemiológica, el aislamiento y caracterización bioquímica se realizó empleando las técnicas de siembra en Agar OGY, Microcultivo en agar harina de maíz para la formación de Clamidosporas, técnica  de producción de tubo germinal en suero humano y prueba de urea. Para la valoración de sensibilidad y/o resistencia, se emplearon diez tipos de enjuagues bucales comerciales impregnados en sensidiscos. Finalmente se realizó el análisis estadístico utilizando el programa SPSSv2.0 en el cual se calculó las posibles asociaciones con las variables evaluadas. RESULTADOS:   Arrojaron   una   prevalencia   del  67,7%(67/99) para Candida albicas, de los cuales el 38.8%(26/67) y 43,2%(29/67) correspondió al género masculino y femenino respectivamente, cuyas edades oscilaron de cero a doce años. La sensibilidad como la resistencia  para los enjuagues evaluados fue del 50% respectivamente. La variable que se identificó con  posible asociación con sintomatología, fue dolor en las encías, valor de P = 0,005. Otras afecciones de la cavi­ dad oral como la caries dental, puede estar relacionada con la presencia de Candida albicans
Pilot Study to Measure Deficits in Proprioception in Children With Somatodyspraxia
Authors: Tong Chu Virginia Way
Published: August 2020

Importance: Given the importance of proprioception in motor coordination, the identification of sensory deficits contributing to motor challenges is crucial for appropriate intervention; however, objective proprioceptive tests are not currently available in pediatric clinical practice.

Objective: To pilot test methods for assessing proprioception in children. Children with somatodyspraxia were predicted to have reduced proprioceptive awareness compared with age-matched control children.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Individual clinic.

Participants: Ten children identified as having somatodyspraxia and 10 typically developing children, ages 6–8 yr.

Outcomes and Measures: Spatial awareness and force perception were assessed by having the children match arm positions and grip and pinch forces using electronic dynamometers.

Results: All children were able to complete the proprioceptive assessments. Of those identified as having somatodyspraxia, 90% showed deficits in at least one area of proprioception. Children with somatodyspraxia performed more poorly on spatial awareness and force perception tests than typically developing children (p < .05).

Conclusions and Relevance: Children with dyspraxia have difficulties with spatial awareness and force perception, confirming a somatosensory contribution to dyspraxia.

What This Article Adds: This article presents a framework and methods to measure proprioception in children. These methods will allow occupational therapy practitioners to quantify the proprioceptive deficits common in children with dyspraxia.
Quantifying fugitive gas emissions from an oil sands tailings pond
with open-path FTIR measurements
Authors: You Yuan , Moussa Samar G. , Zhang Lucas , Fu Long , Beck James , Staebler Ralf M.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Fugitive emissions from tailings ponds contribute significantly to facility emissions in the Alberta Oil Sands, but details on chemical emission profiles and the temporal and spatial variability of emissions to the atmosphere are sparse, since flux measurement techniques applied for compliance monitoring have their limitations. In this study, open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was evaluated as a potential alternative method for quantifying spatially representative fluxes for various pollutants (methane, ammonia, and alkanes) from a particular pond, using vertical flux gradient and inverse dispersion methods. Gradient fluxes of methane averaged 3.7 g m−2 d−1 but were 40 % lower than nearby eddy covariance measurements, while inverse dispersion fluxes agreed to within 11 %. Significant NH3 emission fluxes were observed (0.11 g m−2 d−1 (92 tonnes y−1)), and total alkane fluxes were estimated to be 1.33 g m−2 d−1 (1120 tonnes y−1), representing 12 % of the facility emissions.
How model paradigms affect our representation of future land-use change
Authors: Brown Calum , Holman Ian , Rounsevell Mark
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Land use models operating at regional to global scales are almost exclusively based on the single paradigm of economic optimisation. Models based on different paradigms are known to produce very different results, but these are not always equivalent or attributable to particular assumptions. In this study, we compare two pan-European land use models that are based on the same integrated modelling framework and utilise the same climatic and socio-economic scenarios, but which adopt fundamentally different model paradigms. One of these is a constrained optimising economic-equilibrium model and the other is a stochastic agent-based model. We run both models for a range of scenario combinations and compare their projections of spatial and aggregate land use change and ecosystem service supply. We find that the agent-based model projects more multifunctional and heterogeneous landscapes in most scenarios, providing a wider range of ecosystem services at landscape scales, as agents make individual, time-dependent decisions that reflect economic and non-economic motivations. This tendency also results in food shortages under certain scenario conditions. The optimisation model, in contrast, maintains food supply through intensification of agricultural production in the most profitable areas, sometimes at the expense of active management in large, contiguous parts of Europe. We relate the principal differences observed to underlying model assumptions, and hypothesise that optimisation may be appropriate in scenarios that allow for coherent political and economic control of land systems, but not in scenarios where economic and other scenario conditions prevent the normal functioning of price signals and responses. In these circumstances, agent-based modelling allows explicit consideration of behavioural processes, but in doing so provides a highly flexible account of land system development that is harder to link to underlying assumptions. We suggest that structured comparisons of parallel, transparent but paradigmatically distinct models are an important method for better understanding the potential scope and uncertainties of future land use change.
HighResMIP versions of EC-Earth: EC-Earth3P and EC-Earth3P-HR – description, model computational performance and basic validation
Authors: Haarsma Rein , Acosta Mario , Bakhshi Rena , Bretonnière Pierre-Antoine , Caron Louis-Philippe , Castrillo Miguel , Corti Susanna , Davini Paolo , Exarchou Eleftheria , Fabiano Federico , Fladrich Uwe , Fuentes Franco Ramon , García-Serrano Javier , von Hardenberg Jost , Koenigk Torben , Levine Xavier , Meccia Virna Loana , van Noije Twan , van den Oord Gijs , Palmeiro Froila M. , Rodrigo Mario , Ruprich-Robert Yohan , Le Sager Philippe , Tourigny Etienne , Wang Shiyu , van Weele Michiel , Wyser Klaus
Published: August 2020

Abstract. A new global high-resolution coupled climate model, EC-Earth3P-HR
has been developed by the EC-Earth consortium, with a resolution of
approximately 40 km for the atmosphere and 0.25∘ for the ocean,
alongside with a standard-resolution version of the model, EC-Earth3P (80 km
atmosphere, 1.0∘ ocean). The model forcing and simulations follow the
High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) protocol. According to this protocol, all simulations are made
with both high and standard resolutions. The model has been optimized with
respect to scalability, performance, data storage and post-processing. In
accordance with the HighResMIP protocol, no specific tuning for the high-resolution version has been applied. Increasing horizontal resolution does not result in a general reduction of
biases and overall improvement of the variability, and deteriorating impacts
can be detected for specific regions and phenomena such as some
Euro-Atlantic weather regimes, whereas others such as the El Niño–Southern
Oscillation show a clear improvement in their spatial structure. The
omission of specific tuning might be responsible for this. The shortness of the spin-up, as prescribed by the HighResMIP protocol,
prevented the model from reaching equilibrium. The trend in the control and
historical simulations, however, appeared to be similar, resulting in a
warming trend, obtained by subtracting the control from the historical
simulation, close to the observational one.
A simplified atmospheric boundary layer model for an improved
representation of air-sea interactions in eddying oceanic models:
implementation and first evaluation in NEMO (4.0)
Authors: Lemarié Florian , Samson Guillaume , Redelsperger Jean-Luc , Giordani Hervé , Brivoal Théo , Madec Gurvan
Published: August 2020

Abstract. A simplified model of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) of intermediate complexity between a bulk parameterization and a three-dimensional atmospheric model is developed and integrated to the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO) general circulation model. An objective in the derivation of such simplified model called ABL1d is to reach an apt representation in ocean-only numerical simulations of some of the key processes associated to air/sea interactions at the characteristic scales of the oceanic mesoscale. In this paper we describe the formulation of the ABL1d model and the strategy to constrain this model with large-scale atmospheric data available from reanalysis or real-time forecasts. A particular emphasis is on the appropriate choice and calibration of a turbulent closure scheme for the atmospheric boundary layer. This is a key ingredient to properly represent the air/sea interaction processes of interest. We also provide a detailed description of the NEMO-ABL1d coupling infrastructure and its computational efficiency. The resulting simplified model is then tested for several boundary-layer regimes relevant to either ocean/atmosphere or sea-ice/atmosphere coupling. The coupled system is also tested with a realistic 0.25°ree; resolution global configuration. The numerical results are evaluated using standard metrics from the literature to quantify the wind/sea surface temperature (a.k.a. thermal feedback effect), wind/currents (a.k.a. current feedback effect) and ABL/sea-ice couplings. With respect to these metrics, our results show very good agreement with observations and fully coupled ocean-atmosphere models for a computational overhead of about 9% in term of elapsed time compared to standard uncoupled simulations. This moderate overhead, largely due to I/O operations, leaves room for further improvement to relax the assumption of horizontal homogeneity behind ABL1d and thus to further improve the realism of the coupling while keeping the flexibility of ocean-only modelling.
Using data assimilation to optimize pedotransfer functions using large-scale
in-situ soil moisture observations
Authors: Cooper Elizabeth , Blyth Eleanor , Cooper Hollie , Ellis Rich , Pinnington Ewan , Dadson Simon J.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Soil moisture predictions from land surface models are important in hydrological, ecological and meteorological applications. In recent years the availability of wide-area soil-moisture measurements has increased, but few studies have combined model-based soil moisture predictions with in-situ observations beyond the point scale. Here we show that we can markedly improve soil moisture estimates from the JULES land surface model using field scale observations and data assimilation techniques. Rather than directly updating soil moisture estimates towards observed values, we optimize constants in the underlying pedotransfer functions, which relate soil texture to JULES soil physics parameters. In this way we generate a single set of newly calibrated pedotransfer functions based on observations from a number of UK sites with different soil textures. We demonstrate that calibrating a pedotransfer function in this way can improve the performance of land surface models, leading to the potential for better flood, drought and climate projections.
PRELIMINARY QUALITY ANALYSIS OF GF-7 SATELLITE LASER ALTIMETER FULL WAVEFORM DATA
Authors: Li G. , Guo J. , Tang X. , Ye F. , Zuo Z. , Liu Z. , Chen J. , Xue Y.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The full-waveform data is the core data of GaoFen-7 (GF-7) satellite laser altimeter, and evaluation of waveform data quality is an important step and premise for satellite laser altimetry and quality control. In this paper, the full waveform data quality assessment and analysis of GF-7 laser altimeter is implemented during the period of on-orbit experiment, and the real waveform data of many orbits is used to quantitatively describe the characteristic parameters of the transmitted waveform and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the result of two beam lasers is compared. The conclusion is validated that the GF-7 laser altimeter can obtain effective waveform data and the echo waveform availability of the experimental data is approximate 72.59%, moreover, the quality of beam 1 is slightly better than that of the beam 2. The laser temperature is an important indication of the quality of transmitted waveform according to the SNR changing. The good SNR value of the waveform and small footprint size will be helpful for the terrain information extraction and analysis, although the repetition frequency is low.
OPTIMIZED POST-PROCESSING OF MULTIPLE UAV IMAGES FOR FORESTRY INSPECTIONS
Authors: Raeva P. , Pavelka Jr. K.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The following paper discusses possible optimized post-processing and data tracking of UAV imagery for forestry inspection. The survey took place in the National Natural Reserve Božídarské rašeliniště – The Wetland of Božídar from 2015 till now. The purpose of this study is to provide with a suitable post-processing method of UAV images in a protected area with no necessity of human interaction with the species. The authors used UAV imagery from RGB and multispectral sensors. The focus of the paper is the post-processing which relies solely on open-source tools. The results of the paper are a script for automatic computation of vegetation indices, a script for canopy height model in a certain part of the mapped area a possible GIS solution for storing and tracking the data.
SYSTEMATIC EVALUATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 3D SOLID STATE LIDAR SENSORS FOR AUTONOMOUS GROUND VEHICLES
Authors: Aijazi A. K. , Malaterre L. , Trassoudaine L. , Checchin P.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. 3D LiDAR sensors play an important part in several autonomous navigation and perception systems with the technology evolving rapidly over time. This work presents the preliminary evaluation results of a 3D solid state LiDAR sensor. Different aspects of this new type of sensor are studied and their data are characterized for their effective utilization for object detection for the application of Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGV). The paper provides a set of evaluations to analyze the characterizations and performances of such LiDAR sensors. After characterization of the sensor, the performance is also evaluated in real environment with the sensors mounted on top of a vehicle and used to detect and classify different objects using a state-of-the-art Super-Voxel based method. The 3D point cloud obtained from the sensor is classified into three main object classes “Building”, “Ground” and “Obstacles”. The results evaluated on real data, clearly demonstrate the applicability and suitability of the sensor for such type of applications.
A TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNING MEASUREMENT STATION TO MONITOR LONG-TERM STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS IN A BOREAL FOREST
Authors: Campos M. , Litkey P. , Wang Y. , Chen Y. , Hyyti H. , Hyyppä J. , Puttonen E.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. This work presents a data acquisition framework and the technical details of a permanent terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) measurement station for high spatial and temporal resolution forest observation that was developed in the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute. The TLS measurement station was established to provide hyper-temporal time series of three-dimensional point cloud data for long term monitoring of a boreal forest. Time series data acquisition framework consists of regular 14-minute scans performed by a RIEGL VZ-2000i laser scanner in every 30 minutes, resulting in the collection of 48 scans per day. The entire framework includes the setting up of the laser scanner, the initialization of daily project, the scanning data acquisition over a preset time window, the storage management of the collected data at a local measurement computer, and the transfer of data from the measurement computer to network-attached storage (NAS) for further data processes. The operability of the proposed TLS measurement station was first piloted at a test area of about 32,500 m2 in Southern Finland (60°09'N, 24°32'E). A set of several long monitoring experiments were performed over the whole growing season from the beginning of April to the end of October in 2019. As preliminary results, the time series outputs have captured detailed information on the phenological changes in the test site with sub-centimetre accuracy. For instance, it was possible to visualize plant dynamics phenomena, such as the sprouting of leaves in spring and their falling in autumn.
HIGHWAY AND AIRPORT RUNWAY PAVEMENT INSPECTION USING MOBILE LiDAR
Authors: Ravi R. , Bullock D. , Habib A.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. With an ever-increasing network of thousands of miles of pavement laid out over highways, road networks, and airport runways, their continuous monitoring is a task of utmost importance to public agencies responsible for their maintenance. The existing approaches mostly rely on a manual detection of pavement distress based on acquired image or video data – an approach that is time-consuming, costly, and whose results are subjective to the designated rater. This necessitates the need for a system that is capable of a quick data acquisition along with an efficient algorithm for the detection and quantification of pavement distress based on the acquired data. This paper proposes a LiDAR-based pavement distress detection and quantification using a mobile mapping system (MMS). Starting with a comparison of a medium-grade and high-grade MMS in terms of their accuracy and captured level of detail, this paper proves the ability of the high-grade MMS to allow the detection of shallow potholes and cracks in the pavement. Next, a fully automated algorithm is proposed to detect pavement distress from 3D point cloud followed by a quantification of the severity (in terms of the depth and volume) of the detected potholes/cracks. Finally, an experimental verification conducted over a 10 mile highway segment and two airport runway strips indicates the efficient performance of the proposed data acquisition system as well as the algorithm to report the pavement distress ranging from shallow cracks over airport runways to deeper potholes along highway segments.
ACCURACY ASSESSMENT AND CALIBRATION OF LOW-COST AUTONOMOUS LIDAR SENSORS
Authors: Glennie C. L. , Hartzell P. J.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. A number of low-cost, small form factor, high resolution lidar sensors have recently been commercialized in an effort to fill the growing needs for lidar sensors on autonomous vehicles. These lidar sensors often report performance as range precision and angular accuracy, which are insufficient to characterize the overall quality of the point clouds returned by these sensors. Herein, a detailed geometric accuracy analysis of two representative autonomous sensors, the Ouster OSI-64 and the Livox Mid-40, is presented. The scanners were analyzed through a rigorous least squares adjustment of data from the two sensors using planar surface constraints. The analysis attempts to elucidate the overall point cloud accuracy and presence of systematic errors for the sensors over medium (< 40 m) ranges. The Livox Mid-40 sensor performance appears to be in conformance with the product specifications, with a ranging accuracy of approximately 2 cm. No significant systematic geometric errors were found in the acquired Mid-40 point clouds. The Ouster OSI-64 did not perform to the manufacturer specifications, with a ranging accuracy of 5.6 cm, which is nearly twice that stated by the manufacturer. Several of the individual lasers within the OSI-64’s bank of 64 lasers exhibited higher range noise than their counterparts, and examination of the residuals indicate a possible systematic error correlated with the horizontal encoder angle. This suggests that the Ouster laser may benefit from additional geometric calibration. Finally, both sensors suffered from an inability to accurately resolve edges and smaller features such as posts due to their large laser beam divergences.
THE MEASUREMENT ACCURACY AND MEASUREMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF GREEN LiDAR DRONE
Authors: Mano K. , Sakai K. , Tachibana K. , Sakita K. , Nishiyama S.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The aim of this study is to confirm the measurement accuracy and measurement characteristics of Green LiDAR Drone.In Japan, due to recent climate change, the frequency of heavy rainfall has been increasing, and more floods than estimated are occurring every year. Infrastructures that can safely drain the flood are river channel and river levee. Their role is becoming increasingly important. To reduce river disasters and manage disaster risk areas, river management administrations of Japan must understand the state of river channel and river levees. In order to fully identify risk area of disaster, it is considered using Green LiDAR Drone in Japanese river management. From these backgrounds, it is necessary to clarify the measurement accuracy and measurement characteristics of Green LiDAR Drone. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed the theoretical basic performance assumed from the device performance. Also, we conducted experimental measurements on flat ground area, river area, and coast area. Through verification of experimental measurements, we confirmed the positional accuracy, bathymetric capabilities of water area, and measurement characteristics of point cloud obtained by Green LiDAR Drone. As the result, it was confirmed the point cloud acquired by Green LiDAR Drone could understand not only the riverbed or coasts topography but also the structures of rivers and coasts, and could be used as basic information for maintenance and construction.
ARE MEASURED GROUND CONTROL POINTS STILL REQUIRED IN UAV BASED LARGE SCALE MAPPING? ASSESSING THE POSITIONAL ACCURACY OF AN RTK MULTI-ROTOR PLATFORM
Authors: Teppati Losè L. , Chiabrando F. , Giulio Tonolo F.
Published: August 2020

Abstract. The estimate of External Orientation (E.O.) parameters for a block of images is a crucial step in the photogrammetric pipeline and the most demanding in terms of required time and human effort, both during the fieldwork and post-processing phases. Different researchers developed strategies to minimize the impact of this phase. Despite the achievement of good results, it was not possible until now to completely cancel the effect of this step. However, the efforts of the researchers in these years have also been devoted to the implementation of direct photogrammetry strategies, in order to almost completely automate the E.O. of the photogrammetric block. These new approaches were made possible also thanks to the latest developments of commercial UAVs, especially in terms of the installed GPS/GNSS (Global Positioning System/Global Navigation Satellite System) hardware. The aim of this manuscript is to evaluate the different perspectives and issues connected with the deployment of a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) equipped with a multi-frequency GPS/GNSS receiver. Starting from the considerations mentioned above and leveraging previous works based on a fixed-wing platform, the focus of this contribution is the assessment of the real performances of an RTK multi-rotor platform addressing several questions. Is it possible to generate added-value products with centimetre 3D accuracies without measuring any ground control point? Which are the operational requirements to be taken into account in the planning phase? Are consolidated UAV mapping operational workflows already available to enable a robust direct georeferencing approach?
Evaluating the efficacy of bivariate extreme modelling approaches for multi-hazard scenarios
Authors: Tilloy Aloïs , Malamud Bruce D. , Winter Hugo , Joly-Laugel Amélie
Published: August 2020

Abstract. Modelling multiple hazard interrelations remains a challenge for
practitioners. This article primarily focuses on the interrelations between
pairs of hazards. The efficacy of six distinct bivariate extreme models is
evaluated through their fitting capabilities to 60 synthetic datasets. The
properties of the synthetic datasets (marginal distributions, tail
dependence structure) are chosen to match bivariate time series of
environmental variables. The six models are copulas (one non-parametric, one
semi-parametric, four parametric). We build 60 distinct synthetic datasets
based on different parameters of log-normal margins and two different
copulas. The systematic framework developed contrasts the model strengths
(model flexibility) and weaknesses (poorer fits to the data). We find that
no one model fits our synthetic data for all parameters but rather a range
of models depending on the characteristics of the data. To highlight the
benefits of the systematic modelling framework developed, we consider the
following environmental data: (i) daily precipitation and maximum wind gusts
for 1971 to 2018 in London, UK, and (ii) daily mean temperature and wildfire
numbers for 1980 to 2005 in Porto District, Portugal. In both cases there is
good agreement in the estimation of bivariate return periods between models
selected from the systematic framework developed in this study. Within this
framework, we have explored a way to model multi-hazard events and identify
the most efficient models for a given set of synthetic data and hazard sets.
Exilios impropios y peregrinación profana: Juan José Saer y Witold Gombrowicz
Authors: Maranguello Carolina
Published: August 2020

Después de haberse mudado a Francia en 1968 y de haber escrito gran parte de su obra en el extranjero, Juan José Saer comienza a regresar periódicamente a la Argentina a partir de los ochenta, y escribe a propósito del regreso y del exilio una serie de textos en los que alude a la figura de Witold Gombrowicz. En este trabajo se indagarán los vínculos, correspondencias y divergencias entre ambos. Como se verá, Saer ubica a Gombrowicz en dos series de viajeros e intelectuales. Por un lado, una serie anacrónica e intemporal que lo relaciona con viajeros de épocas disímiles y en la cual se destaca su singular percepción del paisaje nacional; por el otro, una serie histórica que devuelve al escritor polaco a las rivalidades literarias de su época (Borges, Caillois y el grupo Sur). Cada una de estas inscripciones abre una sugerente contemporaneidad entre las poéticas y los exilios impropios de Saer y Gombrowicz. La “perspectiva exterior” de este último le permitirá a Saer radicalizar una figura de escritor exiliado y excéntrico capaz de resistir tanto los “infalibles” valores de Europa como los deberes de identificación nacional; y configurar además formas disruptivas de percibir el paisaje de la zona en sus regresos al país.
Sobre los inicios de un revisionismo filosófico en Argentina y sus derivas políticas: Homero Guglielmini, Saúl Taborda y Carlos Astrada
Authors: Domínguez Rubio Lucas
Published: August 2020

El presente artículo analiza los principales textos que con distintos intereses ideológicos funcionaron como iniciadores de un particular ensayismo filosófico organizacionista y anti-liberal en la Argentina desde espacios académicos y universitarios. Sus autores, Saúl Taborda (1885-1943), Homero Guglielmini (1903-1968) y Carlos Astrada (1894-1971) tuvieron una trayectoria teórica y política en buena medida común. Primero desarrollaron sus textos en términos nietzscheanos y soreleanos. Más tarde se interesaron en el romanticismo alemán y la obra de Heidegger. En este arco, desde la década de 1920 cuando estuvieron a cargo de incipientes revistas filosóficas y vanguardistas hasta el momento en que Astrada y Guglielmini se convirtieron de en dos de las más importantes plumas oficialistas del gobierno de Juan Domingo Perón, estos autores mantuvieron sus intereses anti-iluministas y anti-liberales, con los cuales se opusieron a los estudios históricos como modo de indagación. Frente a ellos, desarrollaron un ensayismo filosófico no histórico que el presente artículo periodiza y caracteriza en oposición al más estudiado revisionismo histórico. A diferencia de estos últimos, los filósofos no reaccionaron frente a las continuas olas inmigratorias, sino más bien a los proyectos políticos foráneos. Se enfocaron principalmente en la figura del gaucho, y no en la de Rosas, y propusieron una reivindicación no-católica del hispanismo. Pero, principalmente, ellos argumentaron contra el individualismo liberal y buscaron pensar herramientas teóricas a favor de un sujeto político colectivo.
Asymmetrically Timely Loss Recognition and the Accrual Anomaly: Evidence From Pakistan’s Non-financial Sectors
Authors: Asim Amna , Siddiqui Danish Ahmed
Published: August 2020

An important role of Conditional conservatism is to align the timely expense recognition of revenue generated in terms of losses compared to the profit over negative components of accruals. Accrual anomaly shows asymmetric differential persistence for accruals and cash flows in years of economic gains rather than losses. The aim of this study to determine the asymmetric timely loss recognition and accrual anomaly of the non-financial firms listed at Pakistan Stock exchange (PSX). Top volume non-financial firms listed at PSX were taken for this study over a period of 2011 to 2018. The direct implication of this research on the pattern of pricing of accrual component of earning exhibits positive relationship of excess returns with accruals and stock returns; whereas negative relationship with earnings, market capitalization and indicator variable of profit firms. Overall, research result is consistent with Konstantinidi et al. (2015), the accrual effect on stock return is existent for earnings generated firms, while not apparent for loss firms. This evidence provides relevant information on the aspects of accrual anomaly and its association with the variables of conditional conservatism on the pricing of accrual during the profit years.
Conceptualisation of Employee Voice: Definitions, Typologies and Measurement
Authors: Botha Larysa , Steyn Renier
Published: August 2020

Background: Voice, as an important employee behaviour, channels ideas, concerns, and suggestions upward in the organisation and is often the only way for managers to become aware of issues and problems that, potentially, may be detrimental to the organisation’s performance. Aim: The aim of this article is to present a review on the conceptualisation of voice, with the focus on the different ways in which the concept is defined, categorised and measured. This is required as a comprehensive and contemporary operationalisation of voice and will ensure that future research is linked to the dominant body of knowledge. Setting: Literature presents employee voice behaviour in divergent ways, which applies to the definition, typologies and measurement of voice. This divergence poses a challenge for researchers and practitioners alike. Method: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to obtain a large spectrum of definitions, categorisations and assessments of voice. These were examined for breadth of adoption, consensus in terms of elements and, in the case of assessment, the acceptability of psychometric properties of measuring instruments. Results: After reviewing a substantial number of the articles published in peer-reviewed journals between the years 1970 and 2019, the three most popular definitions of voice are presented, the three most common conceptualisations on the forms/types of voice identified, and three most-used measuring scales with acceptable validity and reliability acknowledged. The definition, typologies, and measuring instrument proposed by Maynes and Podsakoff (2014) seems to be the standard in voice research. Their theorising on all three aspects is well accepted and forms the basis for many recent studies on voice. Conclusion: Building on previous research, and considering recent publications, the comprehensive conceptualisation of voice is best described by the seminal work of Maynes and Podsakoff (2014), which integrates the extant knowledge on the topic and how it is operationalised. Managerial implications: Researchers and practitioners are now aware of most adopted and authoritative conceptualisations of employee voice behaviour, which should provide them with greater confidence to engage in discussions on the topic as well as in facilitating research in the future.
Current evidence between hospital volume and perioperative outcome: Prospective assessment of robotic radical prostatectomy safety profile in a regional center of medium annual caseload
Authors: Ferrari Matteo , Mazzola Brunello , Roggero Enrico , D'Antonio Eugenia , Pereira Mestre Ricardo , Porcu Giovanni , Stoffel Flavio , Renard Julien
Published: August 2020

Introduction: We aimed to present the safety profile of robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP) performed in a single center of medium surgical volume since its introduction and identify predictors of postoperative complications.

Methods: We prospectively collected clinical data from 317 consecutive patients undergoing RARP between August 2011 and November 2019 in a medium-volume center. Surgical procedures were performed by a single experienced surgeon. Complications were collected according to the Martin criteria for reporting and the Clavien-Dindo classification for rating. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were analyzed and compared with available literature.

Results: A total of 102 complications were observed in 96 (30.3%) patients and were minor in 84.4% of cases (Clavien grade 1 and 2). Transfusion rate was 1.3%. Complications of grade 4b or 5 did not occur. The most frequent complications were urinary retention (7.3%) and anastomotic leak (5.9%). At multivariate analysis, the nerve-sparing technique was an independent predictor of complications (odds ratio [OR] 0.55; p=0.02).

Conclusions: The study shows that a high safety profile may be achieved in a medium-volume hospital. The nerve-sparing technique was a predictor of complications. Further studies are needed to define the current relationship between surgical volume and perioperative outcome for RARP.