scholarly journals Science Autonomy for Rover Subsurface Exploration of the Atacama Desert

AI Magazine ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wettergreen ◽  
Greydon Foil ◽  
Michael Furlong ◽  
David R. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Atacama Desert ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Automatic Data ◽  
Limited Bandwidth

As planetary rovers expand their capabilities, traveling longer distances, deploying complex tools, and collecting voluminous scientific data, the requirements for intelligent guidance and control also grow. This, coupled with limited bandwidth and latencies, motivates onboard autonomy that ensures the quality of the science data return. Increasing quality of the data involves better sample selection, data validation, and data reduction. Robotic studies in Mars-like desert terrain have advanced autonomy for long distance exploration and seeded technologies for planetary rover missions. In these field experiments the remote science team uses a novel control strategy that intersperses preplanned activities with autonomous decision making. The robot performs automatic data collection, interpretation, and response at multiple spatial scales. Specific capabilities include instrument calibration, visual targeting of selected features, an onboard database of collected data, and a long range path planner that guides the robot using analysis of current surface and prior satellite data. Field experiments in the Atacama Desert of Chile over the past decade demonstrate these capabilities and illustrate current challenges and future directions.

scholarly journals Designing online species identification tools for biological recording: the impact on data quality and citizen science learning

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirwan Sharma ◽  
Laura Colucci-Gray ◽  
Advaith Siddharthan ◽  
Richard Comont ◽  
René van der Wal
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Lay People ◽  
Digital Identification ◽  
Quality Of Learning ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Interface Type

In recent years, the number and scale of environmental citizen science programmes that involve lay people in scientific research have increased rapidly. Many of these initiatives are concerned with the recording and identification of species, processes which are increasingly mediated through digital interfaces. Here, we address the growing need to understand the particular role of digital identification tools, both in generating scientific data and in supporting learning by lay people engaged in citizen science activities pertaining to biological recording communities. Starting from two well-known identification tools, namely identification keys and field guides, this study focuses on the decision-making and quality of learning processes underlying species identification tasks, by comparing three digital interfaces designed to identify bumblebee species. The three interfaces varied with respect to whether species were directly compared or filtered by matching on visual features; and whether the order of filters was directed by the interface or a user-driven open choice. A concurrent mixed-methods approach was adopted to compare how these different interfaces affected the ability of participants to make correct and quick species identifications, and to better understand how participants learned through using these interfaces. We found that the accuracy of identification and quality of learning were dependent upon the interface type, the difficulty of the specimen on the image being identified and the interaction between interface type and ‘image difficulty’. Specifically, interfaces based on filtering outperformed those based on direct visual comparison across all metrics, and an open choice of filters led to higher accuracy than the interface that directed the filtering. Our results have direct implications for the design of online identification technologies for biological recording, irrespective of whether the goal is to collect higher quality citizen science data, or to support user learning and engagement in these communities of practice.

scholarly journals Modeling Avian Full Annual Cycle Distribution and Population Trends with Citizen Science Data

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Fink ◽  
Tom Auer ◽  
Alison Johnston ◽  
Viviana Ruiz-Gutierrez ◽  
Wesley M. Hochachka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Neotropical Migrant ◽  
Mobile Species ◽  
Animal Populations

AbstractInformation on species’ distributions and abundances, and how these change over time are central to the study of the ecology and conservation of animal populations. This information is challenging to obtain at relevant scales across range-wide extents for two main reasons. First, local and regional processes that affect populations vary throughout the year and across species’ ranges, requiring fine-scale, year-round information across broad — sometimes hemispheric — spatial extents. Second, while citizen science projects can collect data at these scales, using these data requires appropriate analysis to address known sources of bias. Here we present an analytical framework to address these challenges and generate year-round, range-wide distributional information using citizen science data. To illustrate this approach, we apply the framework to Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), a long-distance Neotropical migrant and species of conservation concern, using data from the citizen science project eBird. We estimate occurrence and relative abundance with enough spatiotemporal resolution to support inference across a range of spatial scales throughout the annual cycle. Additionally, we generate intra-annual estimates of the range, intra-annual estimates of the associations between species and the local environment, and inter-annual trends in relative abundance. This is the first example of an analysis to capture intra- and inter-annual distributional dynamics across the entire range of a broadly distributed, highly mobile species.

The Determinants of Entrepreneurship Development in Spatial Systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 8-24
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Zioło
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Institutional Barriers ◽  
Entrepreneurship Development ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Spatial Systems ◽  
Business Conditions ◽  
Mutual Relations ◽  
Growth Shape ◽  
Strategic Goal

The processes of technological  progress create new opportunities for economic, social and cultural growth, shape new relations between economic  entities and their environment,  and influence changes in the determinants  of entrepreneurship development.  These processes vary significantly in certain geographic locations, characterised by an enormous  diversity of natural, social, economic and cultural structures. As a consequence, this creates different opportunities  and different conditions for the development of entrepreneurship in certain spatial scales, from the continental scale, through national and regional to local scales. The article presents complex conditions  for the development of entrepreneurship, highlights its limitations resulting from institutional  barriers, and the importance of knowing the mechanisms of mutual relations between spatial systems and the influence of control instruments. The quality of central and local government authorities is of particular significance here, which do not always properly use the mechanisms of rational business support. A serious barrier to the development of entrepreneurship is the low quality of social capital, manifested in a lack of trust in institutional authorities and reluctance to engage in entrepreneurship and business development. The conclusions point out that further research should be developed that will take into account changing business conditions, with a defined strategic goal of raising the quality and standard of living, international competitiveness of the country and products in different market categories.

THE INFLUENCE OF TILLAGE SYSTEMS ON THE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND YIELD OF LONG-FLAX

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Dumych ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth And Development ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Tillage System ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Flax Seeds

The purpose of research: to improve the technology of growing flax in the Western region of Ukraine on the basis of the introduction of systems for minimizing tillage, which will increase the yield of trusts and seeds. Research methods: field, laboratory, visual and comparative calculation method. Research results: Field experiments included the study of three tillage systems (traditional, canning and mulching) and determining their impact on growth and development and yields of trusts and flax seeds. The traditional tillage system included the following operations: plowing with a reversible plow to a depth of 27 cm, cultivation with simultaneous harrowing and pre-sowing tillage. The conservation system is based on deep shelfless loosening of the soil and provided for chiseling to a depth of 40 cm, disking to a depth of 15 cm, cultivation with simultaneous harrowing, pre-sowing tillage. During the implementation of the mulching system, disking to a depth of 15 cm, cultivation with simultaneous harrowing and pre-sowing tillage with a combined unit was carried out. Tillage implements and machines were used to perform tillage operations: disc harrow BDVP-3,6, reversible plow PON-5/4, chisel PCh-3, cultivator KPSP-4, pre-sowing tillage unit LK-4. The SZ-3,6 ASTPA grain seeder was used for sowing long flax of the Kamenyar variety. Simultaneously with the sowing of flax seeds, local application of mineral fertilizers (nitroammophoska 2 c/ha) was carried out. The application of conservation tillage allows to obtain the yield of flax trust at the level of 3,5 t/ha, which is 0,4 t/ha (12.9 %) more than from the area of traditional tillage and 0,7 t/ha (25 %) in comparison with mulching. In the area with canning treatment, the seed yield was the highest and amounted to 0,64 t/ha. The difference between this option and traditional and mulching tillage reaches 0,06 t/ha (10,3 %) and 0.10 t/ha (18.5 %), respectively. Conclusions. Preservation tillage, which is based on shelf-free tillage to a depth of 40 cm and disking to a depth of 15 cm has a positive effect on plant growth and development, yield and quality of flax.

Drip Irrigation and Stand Establishment Affect Yield and Quality of Cantaloupe

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 545d-545
Author(s):  
D.I. Leskovar ◽  
J.C. Ward ◽  
R.W. Sprague ◽  
A. Meiri
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Dry Land ◽  
Stand Establishment ◽  
Yield And Quality

Water pumping restrictions of high-quality irrigation water from underground aquifers is affecting vegetable production in Southwest Texas. There is a need to develop efficient deficit-irrigation strategies to minimize irrigation inputs and maintain crop profitability. Our objective was to determine how growth, yield, and quality of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. cv. `Caravelle') are affected by irrigation systems with varying input levels, including drip depth position and polyethylene mulch. Stand establishment systems used were containerized transplants and direct seeding. Field experiments were conducted on a Uvalde silty clay loam soil. Marketable yields increased in the order of pre-irrigation followed by: dry-land conditions, furrow/no-mulch, furrow/mulch, drip-surface (0 cm depth)/mulch, drip-subsurface (10-cm depth)/mulch, and drip-subsurface (30 cm depth)/mulch. Pooled across all drip depth treatments, plants on drip had higher water use efficiency than plants on furrow/no-mulch or furrow/mulch systems. Transplants with drip-surface produced 75% higher total and fruit size No. 9 yields than drip-subsurface (10- or 30-cm depth) during the first harvest, but total yields were unaffected by drip tape position. About similar trends were measured in a subsequent study except for a significant irrigation system (stand establishment interaction for yield. Total yields were highest for transplants on drip-subsurface (10-cm depth) and direct seeded plants on drip-subsurface (10 and 30 cm depth) with mulch.

Quality of life in Hungarian polio survivors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Viktória Miszory ◽  
Melinda Járomi ◽  
Annamária Pakai
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Emotional Role ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Polio Survivors

Abstract Aim The number of Hungarian polio patients can be estimated at approximately 3000. Polio infection is currently affecting people 56–65 years of age. The aim of the study was to reveal the quality of life of patients living with polio virus in Hungary. Subject and methods The quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in January–April 2017 among polyomyelitis patients living in Hungary. In the non-random, targeted, expert sample selection, the target group was composed of patients infected with poliovirus (N = 268). We have excluded those who refused to sign the consent statement. Our data collection method was an SF-36 questionnaire. Using the IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22 program, descriptive and mathematical statistics (χ2-test) were calculated (p < 0.05). Results The mean age of the members of the examined population is 63.5 years; 68.1% were women and 31.90% were men. The majority of the respondents were infected by the polyovirus in 1956 (11.9%), 1957 (24.3%), and 1959 (19.5%). Polio patients, with the exception of two dimensions (mental health, social operation), on the scale of 100 do not reach the “average” quality of life (physical functioning 23 points, functional role 36 points, emotional role 47 points, body pain 48 points, general health 42 points, vitality 50 points, health change 31 points). Conclusion The quality of life of polio patients is far below the dimensions of physical function, while the difference in mental health compared to healthy people is minimal. It would be important to educate health professionals about the existing disease, to develop an effective rehabilitation method.

scholarly journals Pre-Flight Calibration of the Mars 2020 Rover Mastcam Zoom (Mastcam-Z) Multispectral, Stereoscopic Imager

2021 ◽  
Vol 217 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander G. Hayes ◽  
P. Corlies ◽  
C. Tate ◽  
M. Barrington ◽  
J. F. Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Length ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Radiometric Calibration ◽  
Modulation Transfer ◽  
Science Data ◽  
Dynamic Component ◽  
Charge Coupled Device ◽  
Bayer Pattern ◽  
Kennedy Space

AbstractThe NASA Perseverance rover Mast Camera Zoom (Mastcam-Z) system is a pair of zoomable, focusable, multi-spectral, and color charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras mounted on top of a 1.7 m Remote Sensing Mast, along with associated electronics and two calibration targets. The cameras contain identical optical assemblies that can range in focal length from 26 mm ($25.5^{\circ }\, \times 19.1^{\circ }\ \mathrm{FOV}$ 25.5 ∘ × 19.1 ∘ FOV ) to 110 mm ($6.2^{\circ } \, \times 4.2^{\circ }\ \mathrm{FOV}$ 6.2 ∘ × 4.2 ∘ FOV ) and will acquire data at pixel scales of 148-540 μm at a range of 2 m and 7.4-27 cm at 1 km. The cameras are mounted on the rover’s mast with a stereo baseline of $24.3\pm 0.1$ 24.3 ± 0.1  cm and a toe-in angle of $1.17\pm 0.03^{\circ }$ 1.17 ± 0.03 ∘ (per camera). Each camera uses a Kodak KAI-2020 CCD with $1600\times 1200$ 1600 × 1200 active pixels and an 8 position filter wheel that contains an IR-cutoff filter for color imaging through the detectors’ Bayer-pattern filters, a neutral density (ND) solar filter for imaging the sun, and 6 narrow-band geology filters (16 total filters). An associated Digital Electronics Assembly provides command data interfaces to the rover, 11-to-8 bit companding, and JPEG compression capabilities. Herein, we describe pre-flight calibration of the Mastcam-Z instrument and characterize its radiometric and geometric behavior. Between April 26$^{th}$ t h and May 9$^{th}$ t h , 2019, ∼45,000 images were acquired during stand-alone calibration at Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) in San Diego, CA. Additional data were acquired during Assembly Test and Launch Operations (ATLO) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Kennedy Space Center. Results of the radiometric calibration validate a 5% absolute radiometric accuracy when using camera state parameters investigated during testing. When observing using camera state parameters not interrogated during calibration (e.g., non-canonical zoom positions), we conservatively estimate the absolute uncertainty to be $<10\%$ < 10 % . Image quality, measured via the amplitude of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) at Nyquist sampling (0.35 line pairs per pixel), shows $\mathrm{MTF}_{\mathit{Nyquist}}=0.26-0.50$ MTF Nyquist = 0.26 − 0.50 across all zoom, focus, and filter positions, exceeding the $>0.2$ > 0.2 design requirement. We discuss lessons learned from calibration and suggest tactical strategies that will optimize the quality of science data acquired during operation at Mars. While most results matched expectations, some surprises were discovered, such as a strong wavelength and temperature dependence on the radiometric coefficients and a scene-dependent dynamic component to the zero-exposure bias frames. Calibration results and derived accuracies were validated using a Geoboard target consisting of well-characterized geologic samples.

scholarly journals Short communication: Microbial quality of raw milk following commercial long-distance hauling

2015 ◽  
Vol 98 (12) ◽  
pp. 8572-8576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Darchuk ◽  
Lisbeth Meunier-Goddik ◽  
Joy Waite-Cusic
Keyword(s):  
Short Communication ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Microbial Quality ◽  
Long Distance
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