The development of quranic calligraphy and illumination under the Mamlukes 1300-1376 and in Iraq and Iran in the same period.

SIGLELD:D45193/83(2vols) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Drivable Space Datasets Created by Airborne LiDAR and Aerial Imagery

The civil engineering and construction industries are currently using geo browsers such as Google Earth to access satellite and aerial imagery to create and update design drawings for roadway construction, which leads to inaccuracies in the construction phase and in effect, delays the time, and increases the cost of a project. Technological advancements in the civil engineering and construction industries have enabled the design processes to be more efficient and accurate. This research focuses on using the cutting-edge technology of airborne LiDAR and aerial imagery to extract roadway network information from an urban area, which can be used to enhance the durability and serviceability of transportation infrastructure in a complex environment. Research results revealed that the time, cost, and completeness of extracting roadway network information from LiDAR data and aerial imagery are more advantageous than that of digitizing from Google Earth, which involves designing roadway network information based on the designer’s best judgment. Research results also showed that there are still limitations with this approach as it relates to the vi accuracy of detecting the edges of the drivable spaces in an urban environment, mainly due to the failure of the extraction process to distinguish between drivable spaces and adjacent sidewalks or other paved surfaces. Future improvements for this extraction process will need to consider better edge detection methods to improve accuracy in urban environments. The process used for the procedure will be made readily available to the civil engineering and construction industries to enable the users to apply it to their work. Utilizing LiDAR data and aerial imagery to extract drivable space information has advantages over the current industry-adopted method, including being better in time efficiency and cost effectivenes

Integration of an expert system and dynamic programming approach to optimize log breakdown using 3-dimensional log and internal defect shape information

A computer program, SAW3DG, was developed to optimize log breakdown using 3-dimensional log and internal defect shapes. The program was based on SAW3D, a log breakdown optimization program considering only 3-dimensional log shape. SAW3D was modified to include internal log defects in 3-dimensional representation and integrated with SLGRADER, an expert system for softwood lumber grading, resulting in a system that is able to optimize log breakdown based on lumber grade. SAW3DG allows live, cant, around, and multi-thickness sawing methods. The system uses a polygonal cross-section model to represent the log and its internal defects. It consists of four basic components: headrig optimization, edging optimization, trimming optimization, and lumber grading. The headrig optimization component begins the log breakdown process by mathematically rotating and skewing the log into a position and then uses a programming (DP) algorithm to find the optimum sawing pattern. The profile of each piece cut from the log along with its defect information is then passed to the edging optimization component where the piece is optimally positioned and then edged using another DP algorithm. Information about the untrimmed lumber and its defects is sent to the trimming optimization component where the sizes of each finished piece of lumber and defects exposed on its four faces are finally determined. This information is then sent to the lumber grading component to determine the lumber grade. Lumber value is determined by its grade and size and used by a third DP algorithm to decide the optimum trimming pattern. Solutions are provided both in text and graphic formats. Twelve computer generated logs of various sizes and in ellipsoid, horn-down, and S-twisted shapes with a number of internal defect types and distributions were used to evaluate SAW3DG. Results indicated that SAW3DG provided better solutions than those models that consider only the true external log shape or that treat the log as a defect free truncated cone. In addition, effects of log rotation and skewing operations, flitch/cant pitch, and different sawing methods on SAW3DG solutions were also studied

The Utilization of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index to Map Habitat Quality in Turin (Italy)

The integration of ecosystem service mapping in decision-making is crucial to place effective urban design and sustainable planning solutions. Nonetheless, often ecosystem service maps are the product of different data inputs that influences the final modeling output thus affecting final decisions, especially when a finer and site-specific assessment is required to design practical and effective solutions. In this work, the city of Turin (Northwest Italy) was selected as a test site for an empirical experiment of ecosystem service mapping using the software Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST): two habitat quality models of the city were compared in a Geographic Information System environment, the first using the “traditional” sensitivity employed during the LIFE SAM4CP European research while the second using the natural difference vegetation index to re-assign the sensitivity scores. Results demonstrate that the integration of site-specific information in the habitat quality input model generates a different result, which is capable of differentiating all those dense built-up areas of the dense settlement system that provide ecosystem supporting functions at the city-level. These differences were analyzed to define new green hotspots in the compact city while furnishing a new perspective for sustainable city planning

Digital sculpting for historical representation: Neville tomb case study

Despite digital 3-D polygon modelling applications providing a common and powerful tool-set for archaeological, architectural and historical visualisation over recent years, the relatively recent developments in high-resolution sculpting software allow for the possibility to create digital outcomes with a degree of surface fidelity not previously obtainable from the more widely used poly-modelling software packages. Such digital sculpting applications are more commonly applied within the video games and TV/motion picture industries, the intention of this paper is to show how such tools and methodologies together with existing scanned data and some historical knowledge can remediate and re-imagine lost sculptural form. The intended research will focus on an examination and partial re-construction of the tomb of Sir John Neville, 3rd Baron Raby located at Durham Cathedral, County Durham UK

Hardwood Log Breakdown Decision Automation

This paper examines the use of internal log defect information, such as can be obtained from noninvasive defect detection imaging, e.g., computed tomography, magnetic resonance, etc., in the automation of log breakdown decisions for hardwood logs. A method was developed to extract the information and convert it into a form that can directly drive the saw equipment controllers to perform the log breakdown. This method illustrates the feasibility of hardwood log breakdown decision automation

Simulating the effects of decoupled transfer payments using the land use model ProLand

This paper describes the bio-economic land use model ProLand and presents selected results for scenarios of coupled and fully decoupled Pillar One transfer payments under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The basic assumption for the model is that land users select the land use alternative from a set of agricultural and silvicultural land use systems which is expected to generate the highest possible land rent. The model is used to estimate effects of fully decoupled transfer payments on land use in a less favoured region in Hesse, Germany. The results confirm that the CAP Reform removes the distorting effects of coupled transfer payments. The extent and direction of land use changes are spatially variant. Overall, the CAP Reform will lead to increases of permanent grassland area at the cost of arable land. The total agricultural land rent generated in the region will grow substantially, mainly due to higher amounts of transfer payments.CAP Reform, land use modelling, decision support, spatial model, ProLand, Agricultural and Food Policy, Land Economics/Use,

A Study of Conservation Interventions at Ram Bagh, the Summer Retreat of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Amritsar

Heritage is our legacy from the past and a non-renewable resource which needs to be protected and sustained. Conservation refers to all measures taken to prolong the life of our heritage. This paper focuses on the study and analysis of the ongoing conservation work at Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Ram Bagh -- the foremost heritage site in Amritsar with its royal palaces and gardens, magnificent gates, watch towers and pavilions. The aim of the study is to identify the causes of decay and deterioration of this historic property and also to understand the processes and techniques employed to conserve it. This has been achieved through a detailed visual examination of the complex, collection and compilation of theoretical data as well as information provided by officials of the Archaeological Survey of India and the Punjab Tourism Department. The study highlights that conservation approach for an architectural heritage should aim at protecting the cultural value of the historic fabric, and adopt interventions that hel to preserve the authenticity of the original design, building materials, construction techniques, workmanship and aesthetics