scholarly journals Preliminary Experimental Trial of Effects of Lattice Fence Installation on Honey Bee Flight Height as Implications for Urban Beekeeping Regulations

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Tomonori Matsuzawa ◽  
Ryo Kohsaka
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Location Data ◽  
Flight Height ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Negative Perceptions ◽  
Set Up

Urban beekeeping has gained salience because of its significance in biodiversity conservation and community building. Despite this, beekeeping practices in urban areas have received negative perceptions from residents, which stem from public safety concerns. There is, therefore, a need to enhance and/or work on appropriate rules for maximizing the profits while minimizing the risks. Amongst the present regulations, the installation of barriers and setbacks is the most common rule for public safety. However, only a limited number of empirical studies have reported on their effective location and height. Thus, in this study, an experimental apiary was set up with different types of barriers installed with varying distances to observe and measure flyway patterns of honey bees. We used a 3D laser scanner, which obtained 8529 points of highly accurate flight location data in about five hours. Results showed that the heights (1.8 and 0.9 m) of the barriers installed were effective in increasing the flight altitudes. The distance of the fence, which was installed as close as 1 m from the hives, was effective as well. These findings, which showed that barriers and setbacks are effective, can have regulatory implications in designing apiaries in urban spaces, where location is often restricted.

scholarly journals The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Security in Rural and Urban Settlements in Benin: Do Allotment Gardens Soften the Blow?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7313
Author(s):  
Mawuna Donald Houessou ◽  
Annemijn Cassee ◽  
Ben G. J. S. Sonneveld
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Allotment Gardens ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
Rural Producers ◽  
Cordon Sanitaire

A Rapid Food Security Appraisal among 240 rural and urban dwellers in southern Benin was conducted, using univariate and bivariate analyses, to evaluate the effects of the imposed COVID-19 ‘cordon sanitaire’ on food consumption patterns. As this is one of the first empirical studies on the COVID-19 food security nexus, we found that the raging pandemic has affected the food security pillars (availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability) in both rural and urban areas, within and outside the cordon sanitaire. The steepest decline was observed among respondents who live inside the cordon sanitaire, where rural producers and urban inhabitants without access to allotment gardens were hit hard. Increased food prices, disruptions in food logistics, and inability to work due to movement restrictions were most frequently indicated as reasons for the decline. Access to allotment gardens effectively supported households in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food crisis.

Reliability Estimates for IRT-Based Forced-Choice Assessment Scores

2021 ◽  
pp. 109442812199908
Author(s):  
Yin Lin
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Forced Choice ◽  
Reliability Estimation ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Personnel Decisions ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Reliability Estimates ◽  
Different Types

Forced-choice (FC) assessments of noncognitive psychological constructs (e.g., personality, behavioral tendencies) are popular in high-stakes organizational testing scenarios (e.g., informing hiring decisions) due to their enhanced resistance against response distortions (e.g., faking good, impression management). The measurement precisions of FC assessment scores used to inform personnel decisions are of paramount importance in practice. Different types of reliability estimates are reported for FC assessment scores in current publications, while consensus on best practices appears to be lacking. In order to provide understanding and structure around the reporting of FC reliability, this study systematically examined different types of reliability estimation methods for Thurstonian IRT-based FC assessment scores: their theoretical differences were discussed, and their numerical differences were illustrated through a series of simulations and empirical studies. In doing so, this study provides a practical guide for appraising different reliability estimation methods for IRT-based FC assessment scores.

scholarly journals Green and Blue Space Availability and Self-Rated Health among Seniors in China: Evidence from a National Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 545
Author(s):  
Chensong Lin ◽  
Longfeng Wu
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Coverage Ratio ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Major River ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

Many empirical studies have shown evidence of multiple health benefits provided by green and blue spaces. Despite the importance of these spaces, investigations are scarce in details for blue spaces rather than green. Moreover, most research has focused on developed regions. A limited number of studies on blue spaces can be found in China with a focus on the city level. Outcomes have been mixed due to varying research scales, methodologies, and definitions. This study relies on a national-level social survey to explore how the self-rated health (SRH) of senior individuals is associated with local green and blue space availability in urban and rural areas. Results indicate that the coverage ratio of overall green spaces and waterbodies around a resident’s home have marginal effects on SRH status in both urban and rural areas. In urban areas, living close to a park can is marginally beneficial for older people’s health. Regarding different types of blue spaces, the presence of a major river (within 0.3–0.5 km) or coastline (within 1 km and 1–5 km) in the vicinity of home negatively affects SRH among the elderly in urban areas. Close proximity to lakes and other types of waterbodies with a water surface larger than 6.25 ha did not significantly influence SRH. These findings not only evaluate general health impacts of green/blue space development on senior populations across the county but inform decision makers concerning the health-promoting qualities and features of different green/blue spaces to better accommodate an aging population in the era of urbanization.

Deceleration of sliding motorcycles (mainly scooters) in accident reconstructions

2017 ◽  
Vol 232 (7) ◽  
pp. 866-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Cialdai ◽  
Dario Vangi ◽  
Antonio Virga
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Test Session ◽  
Road Accidents ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Energy Dissipated ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
Two Wheeler ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Good Agreement

This paper presents an analysis of the situation in which a two-wheeler (i.e. a motorcycle, where the term motorcycles includes scooters) falls over to the side and then successively slides; this typically occurs in road accidents involving this type of vehicle. Knowing the deceleration rate of the sliding phase allows the kinetic energy dissipated and the speed of the motorcycle just before the fall to the ground to be calculated. These parameters are very important in the analysis and reconstruction of accidents. The work presented in this paper was developed in two experimental test sessions on fully faired motorcycles which are mainly of the scooter type and widely used in urban areas. In the first session, sliding tests were carried out, with the speed in the range 10–50 km/h, on three different types of road surface. Analysis of the evidence allowed the dissipative main phases of motion of the motorcycle (the impact with the ground, the rebounds and the stabilized swiping) to be identified and some factors affecting the phenomenon to be studied. The coefficient of average deceleration was calculated using two typical equations. The second test session consisted of drag tests. In these tests, the motorcycle, which had previously laid on its side, was dragged for a few metres at a constant speed of about 20 km/h, while the drag force was measured. A comparison of the results obtained in these tests with those obtained in the sliding tests yielded very good agreement in the coefficients of deceleration.

European cities facing climate change: water management issue

BUILDER ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (7) ◽  
pp. 78-85
Author(s):  
Sebastian Dziedzic ◽  
Agata Twardoch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Spaces ◽  
Management Issue ◽  
European Cities ◽  
Integrated Approaches

The article provides an overview of spatial and legal solutions related to the issue of water management in cities in the context of climate change. The aim of the research is to identify the main differences between the traditional and integrated approaches to water-related infrastructure based on case studies of European Cities at different scales. Gathering, ordering and comparing adequate solutions will allow to establish guidelines for the development of Polish cities and point out directions for architects and urban planners designing urban spaces. The comparison of good examples with theory would make it possible to verify whether practise corresponds with theory, and whether it can actually - through the synergy of measures – bring new quality to urban areas.

Exploration of the Early Childhood Care and Education Provided in Kindergartens in Japan

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-29
Author(s):  
Manjinder Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
World War Ii ◽  
World War ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Early Childhood Care ◽  
Childhood Care ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Education And Care ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Shed Light

This study tends to shed light on early childhood care and education (ECCE) institutions with special reference to kindergartens in Fukuoka, Japan. The choice of the topic for study was derived by the importance of ECCE in children’s life and huge economic growth of Japan after worst effects of world war-II, which are thought to be linked with the education that children receives in Japan. The study is limited to four kindergartens in Fukuoka City and observations made for the study refers to 2018. Herein, different types of institutions providing ECCE, their infrastructural set-up, activities, along with curriculum are discussed. At the end, issues and challenges of ECCE system in Japan are discussed. It has been observed that the infrastructural facility and nature of activities are of high quality. Each and every care is being taken to inculcate habits, as well as to maintain physical and intellectual growth of children. The children seem to be highly happy and enjoy learning via various activities in these schools. It is clear that the devised policies on education and care of children are implemented in full spirit.

scholarly journals How many species of cladocerans (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) are found in Brazilian Federal District?

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Diogo Rocha Sousa ◽  
Lourdes Maria Abdu Elmoor-Loureiro
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Local Extinctions ◽  
Richness Estimators ◽  
Selection Of

AIM: This study aimed provides a checklist of cladocerans and also an evaluation of richness and species composition in the Federal District, Brazil. METHODS: Checklist of cladocerans was obtained evaluating data from the literature, from taxonomic collection (Elmoor-Loureiro's collection) and from fauna surveys conducted over more than three decades in different types of aquatic environments. RESULTS: The 57 water bodies studied showed 56 species, of which 14 are new records. The number of species contained in the list displayed corresponds to 85% of what was expected for richness estimators. The highest number of species was observed in the lentic water bodies (52), which also presented the specific composition of fauna (R = 0.110; p = 0.016), possibly because there were samples taken among the aquatic vegetation. According to our understanding, some species may be subject to local extinctions because they inhabit water bodies located exclusively in urban areas, which can lead to a decline in richness. CONCLUSION: Thus, the results of this study can assist in monitoring aquatic environments and in selection of new areas for surveys of cladocerans in the Federal District.

Accuracy assessment of a mobile terrestrial laser scanner for tree crops

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. H. S. Karp ◽  
A. F. Colaço ◽  
R. G. Trevisan ◽  
J. P. Molin
Keyword(s):  
Data Acquisition ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Accuracy Assessment ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanner ◽  
Tree Crops ◽  
Area Estimation ◽  
Gnss Receiver ◽  
Truncated Cone ◽  
Set Up

LiDAR technology is one option to collect spatial data about canopy geometry in many crops. However, the method of data acquisition includes many errors related to the LiDAR sensor, the GNSS receiver and the data acquisition set up. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the errors involved in the data acquisition from a mobile terrestrial laser scanner (MTLS). Regular shaped objects were scanned with a developed MTLS in two different tests: i) with the system mounted on a vehicle and ii) with the system mounted on a platform running over a rail. The errors of area estimation varied between 0.001 and 0.071 m2 for the circle, square and triangle objects. The errors on volume estimations were between 0.0003 and 0.0017 m3, for cylinders and truncated cone.

scholarly journals FINE REGISTRATION OF KILO-STATION NETWORKS - A MODERN PROCEDURE FOR TERRESTRIAL LASER SCANNING DATA SETS

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B5 ◽  
pp. 485-492
Author(s):  
J.-F. Hullo
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanner ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Information Models ◽  
3D Network ◽  
Laser Scanners ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Fine Registration

We propose a complete methodology for the fine registration and referencing of kilo-station networks of terrestrial laser scanner data currently used for many valuable purposes such as 3D as-built reconstruction of Building Information Models (BIM) or industrial asbuilt mock-ups. This comprehensive target-based process aims to achieve the global tolerance below a few centimetres across a 3D network including more than 1,000 laser stations spread over 10 floors. This procedure is particularly valuable for 3D networks of indoor congested environments. In situ, the use of terrestrial laser scanners, the layout of the targets and the set-up of a topographic control network should comply with the expert methods specific to surveyors. Using parametric and reduced Gauss-Helmert models, the network is expressed as a set of functional constraints with a related stochastic model. During the post-processing phase inspired by geodesy methods, a robust cost function is minimised. At the scale of such a data set, the complexity of the 3D network is beyond comprehension. The surveyor, even an expert, must be supported, in his analysis, by digital and visual indicators. In addition to the standard indicators used for the adjustment methods, including Baarda’s reliability, we introduce spectral analysis tools of graph theory for identifying different types of errors or a lack of robustness of the system as well as <i>in fine</i> documenting the quality of the registration.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document