Autonomous Service Drones for Multimodal Detection and Monitoring of Archaeological Sites

Constant detection and monitoring of archaeological sites and objects have always been an important national goal for many countries. The early identification of changes is crucial to preventive conservation. Archaeologists have always considered using service drones to automate collecting data on and below the ground surface of archaeological sites, with cost and technical barriers being the main hurdles against the wide-scale deployment. Advances in thermal imaging, depth imaging, drones, and artificial intelligence have driven the cost down and improved the quality and volume of data collected and processed. This paper proposes an end-to-end framework for archaeological sites detection and monitoring using autonomous service drones. We mount RGB, depth, and thermal cameras on an autonomous drone for low-altitude data acquisition. To align and aggregate collected images, we propose two-stage multimodal depth-to-RGB and thermal-to-RGB mosaicking algorithms. We then apply detection algorithms to the stitched images to identify change regions and design a user interface to monitor these regions over time. Our results show we can create overlays of aligned thermal and depth data on RGB mosaics of archaeological sites. We tested our change detection algorithm and found it has a root mean square error of 0.04. To validate the proposed framework, we tested our thermal image stitching pipeline against state-of-the-art commercial software. We cost-effectively replicated its functionality while adding a new depth-based modality and created a user interface for temporally monitoring changes in multimodal views of archaeological sites

Gender differences in anthropometric data and in blood pressure values after a 10 weeks training program

Purpose: The prevalence of overweight and obesity and the and incidence of non-communicable diseases increased dramatically over the past 20 years in GCC countries includes Qatar (1,2). The early screening and the propagation of the regular physical activity is essen- tial in the country. The aims of the study were: 1. to map the body composition and blood pressure of young Qatari adults (18-30yr), 2. to determine changes in it after a 10 weeks training program. Methods: 158 Qataris were involved to the study [men (n=89), women (n=69)] from Qatar University (QU). We measured systolic (BPS) and diastolic (BPD) blood pressure body high, body weight, % body fat and the regular physical activity (PA) was assessed by IPAQ. Pre-hypertensive/hypertensive and overweight/obese subjects (20 males and 20 females) were selected and involved into the 10 weeks training program (3-5 times/week, 30-60 minutes/session, 55-60% of the HRmax). The training sessions on 3 times/week were guided by an instructor, the other 2 trainings were individually performed by the subjects followed by a written training schedule. Results: 28.3% of males were overweight and 34.8% were obese; where females were 23.2% and 17.4%, respectively. Male subjects had significantly higher BMI values than females (27.38±6.24 vs. 23.24±5.57 p<.001). IPAQ results shown that vigorous, and moderate type activity didn’t differ between genders, but in low intensity PA (walking) females were more active than males 111min/week vs. 88 min/week, p<.001. Males attended frequently on the face-to-face training sessions than females (2.3 vs. 1.45 hours/week, p<0.05). The 10 weeks training program induced significant reduction in BDP (78.00±6.06 vs. 74.81±10.2 mmHg, p<0.05), BW (91.12±16.31 vs. 85.2±15.28 kg, p<0.01), %BF (31.15±9.0 vs. 21.19±4.38 p<0.01), in male subjects but we couldn’t established these differences in females. Discussion: The used intervention induced substantial changes in most of the meas- ured parameters in males. The total PA in both genders was far away from the recommendation so it is crucial to pay attention its benefi- cial effects. Because the PA social image is differ in Qatar than in other Western countries to maintain the motivation, the suitable duration and the intensity of the PA, continuous control by a sports expert seems to be effective.This study was made possible by a UREP award [UREP 12-048-3-009] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

Analyse de la variabilité germinative de la vesce commune sous l’impact d’un stress Ferrique-Cadmique-Salin

Ce travail a pour but de voir l’impact de l’application d’une combinaison de stress abiotique sur la germination des graines de vesce commune ainsi que de visualiser les modifications physiologiques et histologiques au niveau des tissus racinaires sous l’influence de ces contraintes. De ce fait, une conduite de germination a été réalisée avec des graines de vesce commune dans différentes situations de combinaisons entre trois types de stress métallique-cadmique-salin et un suivi a été fait en se basant sur des caractères végétatifs bien déterminés. Les résultats montrent bien une nette différence entre les réponses des graines à l’application de stress séparément et entre les combinaisons de stress ainsi qu’une variabilité intra-espèce énorme vis-à-vis de différentes types de contraintes.Mots-clés : vesce commune, stress métallique-cadmique-salin, caractères végétatifs, modifications physiologiques et histologiques

Effects of water volume rates on spray deposition and control of tarnished plant bug [Hemiptera : Miridae] in strawberry crops

Des expériences ont été effectuées pour vérifier l'effet de trois volumes d'application de bouillie sur la couverture de fraisiers ( Fragaria ananassa: cultivars Kent et Chambly) et sur l'efficacité d'un insecticide contre la punaise terne ( Lygus lineolaris). Les expériences ont été réalisées à un taux constant de matière active pour des volumes de bouillie de 500 et 1500 L ha-1. La couverture des plants a été mesurée à l'aide d'un traceur fluorescent pour des volumes d'application de 500, 1000 et 1500 L ha-1 sur des échantillons pris au sol et sur différentes parties des plants. Les populations de punaise terne ont été évaluées 24 heures avant et après les traitements avec du malathion (4,5 kg m.a. ha-1) en utilisant 0, 500 et 1500 L ha-1. Les données normalisées pour un taux constant de matière active ont montré qu'une augmentation du volume de bouillie de 500 à 1500 L ha-1 n'avait généralement pas d'effet sur les quantités de traceur retrouvées. À quelques occasions, une augmentation du volume d'application a entraîné une baisse des quantités de traceur retrouvées, par exemple sur les feuilles du bas et du sommet du feuillage (Kent) et des sépales (Kent). Le contrôle des populations de punaise terne était acceptable sur le plan commercial à 500 et à 1500 L ha-1.Field experiments were performed on the effect of three volumes of application on spray deposition and insecticidal efficacy against the tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris) in two strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) cultivars, Kent and Chambly. The rate of application of malathion was kept constant at 4.5 kg a.i. ha-1 for volumes of application of 500 and 1500 L ha-1. Plant coverage was measured using a fluorescent tracer applied at volumes of application of 500, 1000 and 1500 L ha-1. The tracer was recovered from samples taken from different plant locations and on the ground. Tarnished plant bug populations were evaluated 24 hours before and after insecticidal treatment. When coverage data were normalized for a fixed active ingredient rate, an increase in the volume of application from 500 to 1500 L ha-1 frequently had no effect on the amount of tracer recovered at the various locations. On some occasions, an increase in volume of application resulted in a decrease in the amount of tracer recovered, i.e. leaves at the top and bottom of the canopy (Kent), sepals (Kent). Tarnished plant bug population control was commercially acceptable at 500 and 1500 L ha-1

Genetic diversity in Algerian maize (Zea mays L) landraces using SSR markers

In the Sahara, maize (Zea mays L) has been adapted to extreme environmental conditions during the last five centuries; therefore, this germplasm has a potential value as source of tolerance to stress. No previous report of the genetic diversity of Saharan maize has been published so far. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of a collection of Saharan maize. Fifteen accessions representing the geographic diversity of Algeria were characterized with 18 SSR. Most loci (93%) were polymorphic; the total amount of alleles was 87 and the average of alleles per locus was 5.8. The total genetic diversity (He) was 0.57, being 69% intra-accessions and 31% inter-accession. Eight of the alleles were accession-specific and belonged to six populations. Genetic distance among the 15 accessions resulted in the definition of three main clusters related to the geographic origin. Maize germplasm from the Algerian Sahara can be classified at least in three groups and the most variable accessions are in the southern oasis. Some accessions were highly variable and can be sources of favorable alleles for breeding for tolerance to extreme stress conditions.This research was supported by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID project A/023430/09), the École Nationale Supérieure Agronomique (ENSA) Algiers,Algeria,the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the Algerian Ministry of high Education and scientific research (MESRS).Peer reviewe

Automated Archaeological Feature Detection Using Deep Learning on Optical UAV Imagery: Preliminary Results

This communication article provides a call for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) users in archaeology to make imagery data more publicly available while developing a new application to facilitate the use of a common deep learning algorithm (mask region-based convolutional neural network; Mask R-CNN) for instance segmentation. The intent is to provide specialists with a GUI-based tool that can apply annotation used for training for neural network models, enable training and development of segmentation models, and allow classification of imagery data to facilitate auto-discovery of features. The tool is generic and can be used for a variety of settings, although the tool was tested using datasets from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. Current outputs suggest that trained data are able to help identify ruined structures, that is, structures such as burials, exposed building ruins, and other surface features that are in some degraded state. Additionally, qanat(s), or ancient underground channels having surface access holes, and mounded sites, which have distinctive hill-shaped features, are also identified. Other classes are also possible, and the tool helps users make their own training-based approach and feature identification classes. To improve accuracy, we strongly urge greater publication of UAV imagery data by projects using open journal publications and public repositories. This is something done in other fields with UAV data and is now needed in heritage and archaeology. Our tool is provided as part of the outputs given

Modeling active electrolocation in weakly electric fish

In this paper, we provide a mathematical model for the electrolocation in weakly electric fishes. We first investigate the forward complex conductivity problem and derive the approximate boundary conditions on the skin of the fish. Then we provide a dipole approximation for small targets away from the fish. Based on this approximation, we obtain a non-iterative location search algorithm using multi-frequency measurements. We present numerical experiments to illustrate the performance and the stability of the proposed multi-frequency location search algorithm. Finally, in the case of disk- and ellipse-shaped targets, we provide a method to reconstruct separately the conductivity, the permittivity, and the size of the targets from multi-frequency measurements.Comment: 37 pages, 11 figure

Determining epigenetic memory in kidney proximal tubule cell derived induced pluripotent stem cells using a quadruple transgenic reprogrammable mouse

The majority of nucleated somatic cells can be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The process of reprogramming involves epigenetic remodelling to turn on pluripotency-associated genes and turn off lineage-specific genes. Some evidence shows that iPSCs retain epigenetic marks of their cell of origin and this epigenetic memory influences their differentiation potential, with a preference towards their cell of origin. Here, we reprogrammed proximal tubule cells (PTC) and tail tip fibroblasts (TTF), from a reprogrammable mouse to iPSCs and differentiated the iPSCs to renal progenitors to understand if epigenetic memory plays a role in renal differentiation. This model allowed us to eliminate experimental variability due to donor genetic differences and transfection of the reprogramming factors such as copy number and integration site. In this study we demonstrated that early passage PTC iPSCs and TTF iPSCs expressed low levels of renal progenitor genes and high levels of pluripotency-associated genes, and the transcriptional levels of these genes were not significantly different between PTC iPSCs and TTF iPSCs. We used ChIP-seq of H3K4me3, H3K27me3, H3K36me3 and global DNA methylation profiles of PTC iPSCs and TTF iPSCs to demonstrate that global epigenetic marks were not different between the cells from the two different sets of tissue samples. There were also no epigenetic differences observed when kidney developmental genes and pluripotency-associated genes were closely examined. We did observe that during differentiation to renal progenitor cells the PTC iPSC-derived renal cells expressed higher levels of three renal progenitor genes compared to progenitors derived from TTF iPSCs but the underlying DNA methylation and histone methylation patterns did not suggest an epigenetic memory basis for this