An application of convolutional neural network in street image classification: The case study of London

Street frontage quality is an important element in urban design as it contributes to the interest, social life and success of public spaces. To collect the data needed to evaluate street frontage quality at the city or regional level using traditional survey method is both costly and time consuming. As a result, this research proposes a pipeline that uses convolutional neural network to classify the frontage of a street image through the case study of Greater London. A novelty of the research is it uses both Google streetview images and 3D-model generated streetview images for the classification. The benefit of this approach is that it can provide a framework to test different urban parameters to help evaluate future urban design projects. The research finds encouraging results in classifying urban frontage quality using deep learning models. This research also finds that augmenting the baseline model with images produced from a 3D-model can improve slightly the accuracy of the results. However these results should be taken as preliminary, where we acknowledge several limitations such as the lack of adversarial analysis, labeled data, or parameter tuning. Despite these limitations, the results of the proof-of-concept study is positive and carries great potential in the application of urban data analytics

Improving the operating efficiency of the more electric aircraft concept through optimised flight procedures

The increasing awareness of the environmental risks and costs due to the growing demand in aviation has prompted both academic and industrial research into short-term and long-term technologies which could help address the challenges. Among these, the more electric aircraft has been identified as a key design concept which would make aircraft more environmentally friendly and cost effective in the long run. Moreover, the notion of free-flight and optimised trajectories has been identified as a key operational concept which would help curb the environmental effects of aircraft as well as reduce overall costs. The research in this paper presents a methodology in which these two concepts can be coupled to study the benefits of more electric aircraft (MEA) flying optimised trajectories. A wide range of issues from aircraft performance, engine performance, airframe systems operation, power off-take penalties, emission modelling, optimisation algorithms and optimisation frameworks has been addressed throughout the study. The case study is based on a popular short haul flight between London Heathrow and Amsterdam Schiphol. The culmination of the study establishes the advantage of the MEA over conventional aircraft and also addresses the enhanced approach to the classical aircraft trajectory optimisation problem. The study shows that the operation procedures to achieve a minimum fuel burn are significantly different for a conventional aircraft and MEA. Trajectory optimisation reduced the fuel burn by 17.4% for the conventional aircraft and 12.2% for the more electric compared to the respective baseline cases. Within the constraints of the study, the minimum fuel burn trajectory for the MEA consumed 9.9% less fuel than the minimum fuel burn trajectory for the conventional aircraft

Socio-economic Characteristics of Small Scale Buffalo Farms in Tanamalwila Area in Moneragala District of Sri Lanka

A household survey was conducted, interviewing 100 buffalo farmers in fourteen Grama Niladhari divisions (GN) in Thanamalwila area to identify the present status of buffalo farming to improve the socio-economic status as well as to improve the livelihoods. Results reveal that direct involvement of males (100%) was the prominent feature in this farming system while involvement of females was negligible. Among respondents, 80% farmers were between 21-50 ages while 30% were between 21-30 ages. Three types of breeds (Indigenous, Murrah and Nili-Ravi) and there crosses were existed. Major system of management was extensive (90.71%) followed by semi-intensive (7.41%) and intensive (1.85%). Herd size ranged between 12-251 heads. Mostly natural breeding was practiced. Calving interval ranged from 12-30 months. Age at firstcalving was more than 42 months was 82% of buffalo herds. It was found that 24.22% ±4.8 of total herd consisted of male with an atypical herd composition with 4.481±4.192 excess bulls than the requirement. Income was mainly generated through selling of raw milk and lives buffaloes. It can be concluded that there is a chance to convert buffalo farming as economic venture in Thanamalwila area. Active participation of females, and younger generation should be ensured. As well as provision of technical knowledge is vital to make the industry is a profitable venture

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONDENSED TANNINS AND DRY MATTER DEGRADABILITY OF TWO TROPICAL FODDER LEGUMES

In the tropics tree fodder legumes provide adequate protein to ruminants, particularly in the dryseason. However, many of them contain high levels of anti nutritional factors such as condensedtannins. Therefore, the objective the present study was to investigate the relationship betweencondensed tannin (CT) content and the in vitro dI) matter digestibility (DMD) of two tropicalshrubs, Gliricidta septum and Ca/liandra calothyrsus. The tannin binding chemical polyethyleneglycol (PEG) was added at rates of 0.1500 and 5000mg /lOOg plant substrate to asses the effectonDMD.Although the PEG response was not marked, G. sepium had significantly (P<0.05) higher DMD(60%-65%) in all treatments as compared with C. calothyrsus. In contrast, DMD ef C.calothyrsus increased (39.5% to 53.5%) with the addition of PEG. Extractable CT levels rangedfrom 0.57% in G. septum to 4.05% in C. calothyrsus. Results indicate that C. calothyrsus in spiteof having a lower DMD due to high levels of condensed tannins, the addition of PEG had asignificantly higher and desirable effect on DMD compared to G. sepium.The significant co-correlation of DMD and CT indicates that PEG binding technique is asuitable method to improve the dry matter degradability of tannin rich tropical forages.

Effects of Tropical High Tannin Non Legume and Low Tannin Legume Browse Mixtures on Fermentation Parameters and Methanogenesis Using Gas Production Technique

In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the suitability of several mixtures of high tanniniferous non legumes with low tanniniferous legumes on in vitro gas production (IVGP), dry matter degradation, Ammonia-N, methane production and microbial population. Eight treatments were examined in a randomized complete block design using four non-legumes and two legumes (Carallia integerrima×Leucaena leucocephala (LL) (Trt 1), C. integerrima×Gliricidia sepium (GS) (Trt 2), Aporosa lindeliyana×LL (Trt 3), A. lindeliyana×GS (Trt 4), Ceiba perntandra×LL (Trt 5), C. perntandra×GS (Trt 6), Artocarpus heterophyllus×LL (Trt 7), A. heterophyllus×GS (Trt 8). The condensed tannin (CT) content of non legumes ranged from 6.2% (Carallia integerrima) to 4.9% (Ceiba perntandra) while the CT of legumes were 1.58% (Leucaena leucocephala) and 0.78% (Gliricidia sepium). Forage mixtures contained more than 14% of crude protein (CP) while the CT content ranged from 2.8% to 4.0% respectively. Differences (p0.05) NH3-N (ml/200 mg DM) production was observed with the A. heterophyllus×G. sepium (Trt 8) mixture which may be attributed with it’s highest CP content. The correlation between IVGP and CT was 0.675 while IVGP and CP was 0.610. In vitro dry matter degradation (IVDMD) was highest in Trt 8 as well. Methane production ranged from 2.57 to 4.79 (ml/200 mg DM) to be synonimous with IVGP. A higher bacteria population (p<0.05) was found in C. perntandra×G. sepium (Trt 6) followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus+G. sepium (Trt 8) and the same trend was observed with the protozoa population as well. The results show that supplementing high tannin non leguminous forages by incremental substitution of legume forage increased gas production parameters, NH3-N, IVDMD and microbial population in the fermentation liquid. Methane production was not significantly affected by the presence of CT or different levels of CP in forage mixtures. Among non legumes, Ceiba perntandra and Artocarpus heterophyllus performed better in mixture with L. leucocephala and G. sepium

Effects of Tropical High Tannin Non Legume and Low Tannin Legume Browse Mixtures on Fermentation Parameters and Methanogenesis Using Gas Production Technique

In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the suitability of several mixtures of high tanniniferous non legumes with low tanniniferous legumes on in vitro gas production (IVGP), dry matter degradation, Ammonia-N, methane production and microbial population. Eight treatments were examined in a randomized complete block design using four non-legumes and two legumes (Carallia integerrima×Leucaena leucocephala (LL) (Trt 1), C. integerrima×Gliricidia sepium (GS) (Trt 2), Aporosa lindeliyana×LL (Trt 3), A. lindeliyana×GS (Trt 4), Ceiba perntandra×LL (Trt 5), C. perntandra×GS (Trt 6), Artocarpus heterophyllus×LL (Trt 7), A. heterophyllus×GS (Trt 8). The condensed tannin (CT) content of non legumes ranged from 6.2% (Carallia integerrima) to 4.9% (Ceiba perntandra) while the CT of legumes were 1.58% (Leucaena leucocephala) and 0.78% (Gliricidia sepium). Forage mixtures contained more than 14% of crude protein (CP) while the CT content ranged from 2.8% to 4.0% respectively. Differences (p<0.05) were observed in in vitro gas production (IGVP) within treatments over a 48 h period dominated by C. perntandra×G. sepium (Trt 6). The net gas production (p<0.05) was also high with Trt6 followed by A. heterophyllus×L. leucocephala (Trt 7) and A. heterophyllus×G. sepium (Trt 8). Highest (p>0.05) NH3-N (ml/200 mg DM) production was observed with the A. heterophyllus×G. sepium (Trt 8) mixture which may be attributed with it’s highest CP content. The correlation between IVGP and CT was 0.675 while IVGP and CP was 0.610. In vitro dry matter degradation (IVDMD) was highest in Trt 8 as well. Methane production ranged from 2.57 to 4.79 (ml/200 mg DM) to be synonimous with IVGP. A higher bacteria population (p<0.05) was found in C. perntandra×G. sepium (Trt 6) followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus+G. sepium (Trt 8) and the same trend was observed with the protozoa population as well. The results show that supplementing high tannin non leguminous forages by incremental substitution of legume forage increased gas production parameters, NH3-N, IVDMD and microbial population in the fermentation liquid. Methane production was not significantly affected by the presence of CT or different levels of CP in forage mixtures. Among non legumes, Ceiba perntandra and Artocarpus heterophyllus performed better in mixture with L. leucocephala and G. sepium

Effect of sward type and level of light on the agronomic performance and nutritive value of Panicum maximum var. Trichoglume and Stylosanthes humilis

Silvopastoral systems have great importance in tropical countries and it may be expected that pasture-based systems in deforested areas of the humid tropics will move towards to tree-pasture or tree-pasture-crop systems in the future. Plant performance depends directly on the available light as it provides the energy needed for photosynthesis and also canopy shading from trees may influence plant productivity. A study was conducted to investigate agronomic performance, competitive ability and nutritive value of grass (Panicum maximum var. Trichoglume) and legume (Stylosanthes humilis) in pure swards and in a mixed sward under two different light levels (full sunlight &amp; 30% of full sunlight). The experimental design was a 3 (P. maximum pure sward, S. humilis pure sward and P. maximum and S. humilis mixed sward.) x 2 (100% light, 30% of light) factorial experiment arranged in a randomized block design with 3 replicates.Dry matter accumulation of both P. maximum var. Trichoglume and S. humilis in pure swards out yielded mixed sward due to its higher sward production, (leaf area, higher no of tillers, and no.of unfolded leaves). However, the relative yield of grass (RYG=O.707) is greater than 0.5 indicating that there was an advantage for grass grown in a mixed sward as compared with a pure swards. While the relative yield of legume (0.53) is very close to 0.5 indicating no advantage for legume in a mixed sward. Therefore it could be suggested that the dry matter accumulation of P. maximum var. Trichoglume was not affected (P&gt;0.05) by the shade, probably due to its higher leaf area as well as low net assimilation rate. Higher leaf area under the shade which has compensated the dry matter accumulation. In contrast, higher dry matter accumulation and CP content of S. humilis (P&lt;0.05) in full sun light as compared with the plants grown under the shade, confirm that S. humilis is less shade tolerant than the green panic and requires high irradiation for successful growth.Crude protein concentration of P. maximum was significantly low (P&lt;0.05) in full sunlight. This is attributed to the fact that, CP concentration in plant tissues becomes diluted as a result of high dry matter accumulation. Low CP concentration of S. humilis would have been due to the adverse effect of shade on nodulation and nitrogen fixation. In addition, higher dry matter digestibility of P. maximum grown in a mixed sward as compared with pure wards indicates that the grasses in a mixed sward were less mature than the grasses grown in a pure sward especially when irradiation is not a limiting factor for growth. Dry matter digestibility of S. humilis was slightly higher in pure sward as compared to the mixed swards.Finally, P. maximum var. Trichoglume could be considered as a shade tolerant grass even due to its high yield and quality under the shade. However, S. humilis could not be recommended as a suitable companion to be grown in a mixed sward with P. maximum var Trichoglume due to the adverse effect of shade on its yield and quality. Therefore further investigations are needed to find out shade tolerant legumes to be grown in mix sward with P. maximum

COMPARISON OF SOIL QUALITY PARAMETERS UNDER DIFFERENT VEGETATIONS

A short-term field experiment was conducted to study the effects of differentvegetation covers on the soil fertility status. Soil samples were taken fromseveral fields from Mapalana farm. The treatments were grass x legumemixed sward (T1), grass monoculture (T2), legume monoculture (T3),vegetable (T4), coconut field with natural vegetation (T5), forest land (T6),bare land (T7) and cover crop grown with rubber (T8).Each field was divided in to 20 x 20 m four blocks and four random samplesfrom each block were taken at 0-10 em depth. Soil samples were passedthrough 0.2 mm sieve and finely ground for subsequent analysis. Sampleswere analysed to determine the pH and organic matter content. Soil nitrogenpercentage was analysed by the Kjeldhal method. Bulk density wasdetermined using the soil core method and oven drying at 105° C until aconstant weight was obtained.Soil organic matter content ranged from 3.622 % ± 0.819 (grass x legumemixed sward) to 1.433 % ± 0.833 (vegetable). Grass, legume, forest andcoconut land had medium organic matter contents. Vegetable land had theleast organic matter content may be due to chemical fertilizer application.Soil nitrogen percentage was also highest in mixed culture (0.1812 % ±0.0016) followed by the legume crop (0.162 % ± 0.0089) showing thebenefits of nitrogen fixation and transfer in increasing soil organic matter andnitrogen. The nitrogen content of coconut land was also higher (0.1384 % ±0.0157) due to nitrogen recycling via buffalo manure. Similarly nitrogenpercentage of the soil was lowest in vegetable cultivation (0.0571 % ±0.0088).In contrast, soil bulk density was higher (p&lt;0.05) in coconut land (1.491g/cm ' ± 0.1037). This may be due to the soil compactions occurred by longtermbuffalo grazing. Undisturbed lands such as forest cover, cover crop withrubber plantation etc. had lower bulk densities (1.257 g/crrr' ± 0.369 and1.255 g/crrr' ± 0.033 respectively). Highest value (P&lt;0.05) of pH wasobserved in grass monoculture (6.3933 ± 0.311). Mild acidic conditions of soils were shown in mix culture (4.84 ± 0.29), vegetable (4.59 ± 0.22), bareland (4.89 ± 0.20) with cover crop grown with rubber (5.12 ± 0.25)The study concluded that the grass x legume mix culture showed benefits ofnitrogen fixation and transfer associated with higher total nitrogen andorganic matter content in soil. Positive impact on soil nitrogen status onbuffalo grazing showed negative impact on soil bulk density. Humanintervention such as chemical fertilizer application etc also affect on soilcharacteristics.