Consecutive monitoring method for pecan orchards and discovery of a mysterious circle in a pecan orchard with UAV

AbstractIn this study, we established consecutive monitoring methods using UAV in pecan orchards of 64 ha each, in San Simon, Arizona, USA. Activity monitoring, tree height map creation and ground surface temperature analysis of trees by UAV with near infrared (NIR)/TIR camera were conducted for pecan orchards in San Simon, Arizona, USA. Using established continuous monitoring methods, the UAV images of a 3-year-old pecan orchard showed circular traces of alfalfa cultivation prior to installation of pivot irrigation that was previously not observed. Tree growth measurements was compared to the trees planted inside and outside of the circle. Growth and tree health activity was found to be better when the trees were outside of the circle.

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Modeling the Temperature Field in the Ground with an Installed Slinky-Coil Heat Exchanger

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14134010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (13) ◽

pp. 4010

Author(s):

Monika Gwadera ◽

Krzysztof Kupiec

Keyword(s):

Temperature Field ◽

Heat Exchanger ◽

Surface Temperature ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Heat Sources ◽

Ground Surface Temperature ◽

Coil Heat Exchanger ◽

The Relationship ◽

Temperature Responses ◽

Coil Heat

In order to find the temperature field in the ground with a heat exchanger, it is necessary to determine temperature responses of the ground caused by heat sources and the influence of the environment. To determine the latter, a new model of heat transfer in the ground under natural conditions was developed. The heat flux of the evaporation of moisture from the ground was described by the relationship taking into account the annual amount of rainfall. The analytical solution for the equations of this model is presented. Under the conditions for which the calculations were performed, the following data were obtained: the average ground surface temperature Tsm = 10.67 °C, the ground surface temperature amplitude As = 13.88 K, and the phase angle Ps = 0.202 rad. This method makes it possible to easily determine the undisturbed ground temperature at any depth and at any time. This solution was used to find the temperature field in the ground with an installed slinky-coil heat exchanger that consisted of 63 coils. The results of calculations according to the presented model were compared with the results of measurements from the literature. The 3D model for the ground with an installed heat exchanger enables the analysis of the influence of miscellaneous parameters of the process of extracting or supplying heat from/to the ground on its temperature field.

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Cost-efficiency assessments of marine monitoring methods lack rigor—a systematic mapping of literature and an end-user view on optimal cost-efficiency analysis

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-021-09159-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 193 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Heini Hyvärinen ◽

Annaliina Skyttä ◽

Susanna Jernberg ◽

Kristian Meissner ◽

Harri Kuosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Studies ◽

Cost Efficiency ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Marine Ecosystems ◽

Actual Cost ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Monitoring Method ◽

Marine Monitoring ◽

The Status ◽

The Cost

AbstractGlobal deterioration of marine ecosystems, together with increasing pressure to use them, has created a demand for new, more efficient and cost-efficient monitoring tools that enable assessing changes in the status of marine ecosystems. However, demonstrating the cost-efficiency of a monitoring method is not straightforward as there are no generally applicable guidelines. Our study provides a systematic literature mapping of methods and criteria that have been proposed or used since the year 2000 to evaluate the cost-efficiency of marine monitoring methods. We aimed to investigate these methods but discovered that examples of actual cost-efficiency assessments in literature were rare, contradicting the prevalent use of the term “cost-efficiency.” We identified five different ways to compare the cost-efficiency of a marine monitoring method: (1) the cost–benefit ratio, (2) comparative studies based on an experiment, (3) comparative studies based on a literature review, (4) comparisons with other methods based on literature, and (5) subjective comparisons with other methods based on experience or intuition. Because of the observed high frequency of insufficient cost–benefit assessments, we strongly advise that more attention is paid to the coverage of both cost and efficiency parameters when evaluating the actual cost-efficiency of novel methods. Our results emphasize the need to improve the reliability and comparability of cost-efficiency assessments. We provide guidelines for future initiatives to develop a cost-efficiency assessment framework and suggestions for more unified cost-efficiency criteria.

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A Citizen Science Unmanned Aerial System Data Acquisition Protocol and Deep Learning Techniques for the Automatic Detection and Mapping of Marine Litter Concentrations in the Coastal Zone

Drones ◽

10.3390/drones5010006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 6

Author(s):

Apostolos Papakonstantinou ◽

Marios Batsaris ◽

Spyros Spondylidis ◽

Konstantinos Topouzelis

Keyword(s):

Deep Learning ◽

Data Acquisition ◽

Citizen Science ◽

Coastal Zone ◽

Automatic Detection ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Monitoring Method ◽

Marine Litter ◽

Density Maps ◽

Learning Techniques

Marine litter (ML) accumulation in the coastal zone has been recognized as a major problem in our time, as it can dramatically affect the environment, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. Existing monitoring methods fail to respond to the spatiotemporal changes and dynamics of ML concentrations. Recent works showed that unmanned aerial systems (UAS), along with computer vision methods, provide a feasible alternative for ML monitoring. In this context, we proposed a citizen science UAS data acquisition and annotation protocol combined with deep learning techniques for the automatic detection and mapping of ML concentrations in the coastal zone. Five convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were trained to classify UAS image tiles into two classes: (a) litter and (b) no litter. Testing the CCNs’ generalization ability to an unseen dataset, we found that the VVG19 CNN returned an overall accuracy of 77.6% and an f-score of 77.42%. ML density maps were created using the automated classification results. They were compared with those produced by a manual screening classification proving our approach’s geographical transferability to new and unknown beaches. Although ML recognition is still a challenging task, this study provides evidence about the feasibility of using a citizen science UAS-based monitoring method in combination with deep learning techniques for the quantification of the ML load in the coastal zone using density maps.

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Causes, Effects and Methods of Monitoring Gas Exchange Disturbances during Equine General Anaesthesia

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11072049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 2049

Author(s):

Elżbieta Stefanik ◽

Olga Drewnowska ◽

Barbara Lisowska ◽

Bernard Turek

Keyword(s):

Gas Exchange ◽

General Anaesthesia ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Respiratory Acidosis ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Arterial Blood Gas ◽

Complementary Method ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Operative Complications ◽

Post Operative Complications

Horses, due to their unique anatomy and physiology, are particularly prone to intraoperative cardiopulmonary disorders. In dorsally recumbent horses, chest wall movement is restricted and the lungs are compressed by the abdominal organs, leading to the collapse of the alveoli. This results in hypoventilation, leading to hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis as well as impaired tissue oxygen supply (hypoxia). The most common mechanisms disturbing gas exchange are hypoventilation, atelectasis, ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) mismatch and shunt. Gas exchange disturbances are considered to be an important factor contributing to the high anaesthetic mortality rate and numerous post-anaesthetic side effects. Current monitoring methods, such as a pulse oximetry, capnography, arterial blood gas measurements and spirometry, may not be sufficient by themselves, and only in combination with each other can they provide extensive information about the condition of the patient. A new, promising, complementary method is near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The purpose of this article is to review the negative effect of general anaesthesia on the gas exchange in horses and describe the post-operative complications resulting from it. Understanding the changes that occur during general anaesthesia and the factors that affect them, as well as improving gas monitoring techniques, can improve the post-aesthetic survival rate and minimize post-operative complications.

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High Sensitivity Continuous Monitoring of Chloroform Gas by Using Wavelength Modulation Photoacoustic Spectroscopy in the Near-Infrared Range

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11156992 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 6992

Author(s):

Tie Zhang ◽

Yuxin Xing ◽

Gaoxuan Wang ◽

Sailing He

Keyword(s):

Photoacoustic Spectroscopy ◽

Continuous Monitoring ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Resonant Cavity ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Detection Sensitivity ◽

Infrared Range ◽

Wavelength Modulation ◽

Linear Coefficient

An optical system for gaseous chloroform (CHCl3) detection based on wavelength modulation photoacoustic spectroscopy (WMPAS) is proposed for the first time by using a distributed feedback (DFB) laser with a center wavelength of 1683 nm where chloroform has strong and complex absorption peaks. The WMPAS sensor developed possesses the advantages of having a simple structure, high-sensitivity, and direct measurement. A resonant cavity made of stainless steel with a resonant frequency of 6390 Hz was utilized, and eight microphones were located at the middle of the resonator at uniform intervals to collect the sound signal. All of the devices were integrated into an instrument box for practical applications. The performance of the WMPAS sensor was experimentally demonstrated with the measurement of different concentrations of chloroform from 63 to 625 ppm. A linear coefficient R2 of 0.999 and a detection sensitivity of 0.28 ppm with a time period of 20 s were achieved at room temperature (around 20 °C) and atmosphere pressure. Long-time continuous monitoring for a fixed concentration of chloroform gas was carried out to demonstrate the excellent stability of the system. The performance of the system shows great practical value for the detection of chloroform gas in industrial applications.

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Lidar measurement of snow depth: a review

Journal of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/2013jog12j154 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 59 (215) ◽

pp. 467-479 ◽

Cited By ~ 209

Author(s):

Jeffrey S. Deems ◽

Thomas H. Painter ◽

David C. Finnegan

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Snow Depth ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Lidar Measurement ◽

Snow Hydrology ◽

Sensing Technology ◽

Transfer Error ◽

Scale Range ◽

Visible Wavelengths

AbstractLaser altimetry (lidar) is a remote-sensing technology that holds tremendous promise for mapping snow depth in snow hydrology and avalanche applications. Recently lidar has seen a dramatic widening of applications in the natural sciences, resulting in technological improvements and an increase in the availability of both airborne and ground-based sensors. Modern sensors allow mapping of vegetation heights and snow or ground surface elevations below forest canopies. Typical vertical accuracies for airborne datasets are decimeter-scale with order 1 m point spacings. Ground-based systems typically provide millimeter-scale range accuracy and sub-meter point spacing over 1 m to several kilometers. Many system parameters, such as scan angle, pulse rate and shot geometry relative to terrain gradients, require specification to achieve specific point coverage densities in forested and/or complex terrain. Additionally, snow has a significant volumetric scattering component, requiring different considerations for error estimation than for other Earth surface materials. We use published estimates of light penetration depth by wavelength to estimate radiative transfer error contributions. This paper presents a review of lidar mapping procedures and error sources, potential errors unique to snow surface remote sensing in the near-infrared and visible wavelengths, and recommendations for projects using lidar for snow-depth mapping.

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Analysis of Hemodynamics During Blood Purification Therapy Using a Newly Developed Noninvasive Continuous Monitoring Method

Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis ◽

10.1111/j.1744-9987.2006.00392.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 380-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jun Niwayama ◽

Takashi Sato ◽

Mizuki Komatsu ◽

Tsutomu Sanaka ◽

Takeshi Kurosawa

Keyword(s):

Continuous Monitoring ◽

Blood Purification ◽

Monitoring Method ◽

Blood Purification Therapy

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Using complementary remote detection methods for retrofitted eco-passages: a case study for monitoring individual koalas in south-east Queensland

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr15153 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 (5) ◽

pp. 369 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C. E. Dexter ◽

R. G. Appleby ◽

J. P. Edgar ◽

J. Scott ◽

D. N. Jones

Keyword(s):

Road Construction ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Correlated Data ◽

Camera Traps ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Urban Landscapes ◽

Monitoring Methods ◽

Monitoring Method ◽

Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽

The Individual

Context Vehicle-strike has been identified as a key threatening process for koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) survival and persistence in Australia. Roads and traffic act as barriers to koala movement and can impact dispersal and metapopulation dynamics. Given the high cost of wildlife mitigation structures such as purpose-built fauna-specific underpasses or overpasses (eco-passages), road construction and management agencies are constantly seeking cost-effective strategies that facilitate safe passage for fauna across roads. Here we report on an array of detection methods trialled to verify use of retrofitted road infrastructure (existing water culverts or bridge underpasses) by individual koalas in fragmented urban landscapes in south-east Queensland. Aims The study examined whether the retrofitting of existing road structures at six sites facilitated safe passage for koalas across roads. Our primary objective was to record utilisation of retrofitted infrastructure at the level of the individual. Methods We used a combination of existing monitoring methods such as GPS/VHF collars, camera traps, sand plots, and RFID tags, along with a newly developed animal-borne wireless identification (WID) tag and datalogging system, specifically designed for this project, to realise the study aims. Key results We were able to verify 130 crossings by koalas involving a retrofitted structure or a road surface over a 30-month period by using correlated data from complementary methods. We noted that crossings were generally uncommon and mostly undertaken by only a subset of our tagged individuals at each site (21% overall). Conclusions An important element of this study was that crossing events could be accurately determined at the level of the individual. This allowed for detailed assessment of eco-passage usage, rather than the more usual approach of simply recording species’ presence. Implications This study underscores the value of identifying the constraints of each individual monitoring method in relation to site conditions. It also highlights the benefits of contingency planning to limit data loss (i.e. using more than one method to collect data). We suggest an approach that uses complementary monitoring methods has significant advantages for researchers, particularly with reference to improving understanding of whether eco-passages are meeting their prescribed conservation goals.

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