Optimised dragline planning model

The presenting company provided data for typical operating parameters used in dragline operation. The problem for the Study Group was to investigate whether an optimal model of dragline operation could be developed. The Study Group modelled the sequence of operations for a typical surface mining strip. Overall, a simulation approach seems necessary to fully represent the dragline operation. Some aspects of the operations that are amenable to optimisation are described in this report

Blending methodologies in talc operations

The problem posed by Western Mining Corporation involves finding a way of improving or optimising the utilisation of batches of lower grade talc when making up orders for products of different grades. During the MISG a number of Linear Programming models were developed. These models addressed the problems of blending batches of talc for a single order and of blending to meet a series of orders for different products over a specified planning horizon. Preliminary versions of the models were tested using data supplied by Western Mining Corporation

Artefactos da porta escondida da ponte: (“Lançados para dentro de um Labirinto”)

Reflexão sobre os jogos e suas pontes entre o real e virtual na dimensão cultural. Através de uma revisão de narrativa da literatura e da experiência prática de 20 anos como artista electrónico, apresentam-se alguns exemplos e arqueologia da infra-estrutura e do espaço lógico labiríntico dos videojogos e jogos na realidade. Uma possível comparação, leitura e análise dos diferentes tipos de artefactos que permitem a passagem da ponte nos jogos que conecta regiões distintas, sob a luz de alguma filosofia e da ausência de conhecimento. O Homem Lúdico que antecede o Homem Sábio. O Homem Infante que lança os artefactos para dentro de um Labirinto, sem o Conhecimento, procurando deslindar o enigma do jogo, sem ajudas. O momento inaugural de novos territórios e de novos conhecimentos.Reflection about games and its bridges between the real and the virtual in the cultural dimension. Through a revision of literature’s narrative and 20 years of practical experience as electronic artist, some examples and archaeology of the infrastructure and labyrinthine logical space of videogames and games in reality are presented. A possible comparison, reading and analysis of the different kinds of tokens which allow the crossing of the bridge in games that connects distinct regions, under the light of some philosophy and absence of knowledge. The Ludical Man which precedes the Sage Man. The Infant Man that throws the artefacts inside of a Labyrinth, without the Knowledge, seeking to unravel the riddle of the game, without assistances. The inaugural moment of new territories and new knowledges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysis of comorbid conditions associated with intrauterine device removal within an inpatient population

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUD) are an increasingly popular form of contraception in the US due to their high level of effectiveness, reversibility, and lack of further maintenance after insertion, but they are not without their adverse events. Previous studies have found that local adverse events following IUD insertion can be problematic enough that women choose to remove them. While much research has been done on IUDs and their related adverse events, in outpatient settings, no research has been done regarding comorbid conditions associated with their removal in an inpatient setting. Comorbidities associated with IUD removal may point to systemic long-term effects of IUD use that can be further explored. The primary objective of this study is to describe and examine the association of patient factors and comorbid conditions with inpatient IUD placement and removal compared to the inpatient controls. Methods: An analysis of data from the US National Inpatient Sample from 2010-2014 was performed looking for an association between various potential comorbidities (vascular, allergy/immune, and endometriosis) when the hospitalization includes an IUD insertion or no IUD procedure, compared to an IUD removal. The inpatient samples were matched using propensity score of having an IUD related ICD-9 code to create triplets of women with no IUD procedure, IUD insertion, and IUD removal. Results: IUD removal is associated with a decreased likelihood of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease, and an increased likelihood of endometriosis compared to women without an IUD procedure indicating they may be adverse events of using an IUD leading to an IUD removed. There were no significant statistical interactions found between race and IUD group, though some trends between races were seen. Conclusion: As more women in the United States are choosing IUDs as their preferred contraceptive method, we have identified associated comorbid conditions among IUD users though we did not have strong evidence to support that these effects vary by race. This will have a public health impact by informing future research on the potential long-term systemic adverse events to allow women and their doctors to make their most informed decision about contraceptive use

Enabling Multi-LiDAR Sensing in GNSS-Denied Environments: SLAM Dataset, Benchmark, and UAV Tracking with LiDAR-as-a-camera

The rise of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors has profoundly impacted industries ranging from automotive to urban planning. As these sensors become increasingly affordable and compact, their applications are diversifying, driving precision, and innovation. This thesis delves into LiDAR's advancements in autonomous robotic systems, with a focus on its role in simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) methodologies and LiDAR as a camera-based tracking for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Our contributions span two primary domains: the Multi-Modal LiDAR SLAM Benchmark, and the LiDAR-as-a-camera UAV Tracking. In the former, we have expanded our previous multi-modal LiDAR dataset by adding more data sequences from various scenarios. In contrast to the previous dataset, we employ different ground truth-generating approaches. We propose a new multi-modal multi-lidar SLAM-assisted and ICP-based sensor fusion method for generating ground truth maps. Additionally, we also supplement our data with new open road sequences with GNSS-RTK. This enriched dataset, supported by high-resolution LiDAR, provides detailed insights through an evaluation of ten configurations, pairing diverse LiDAR sensors with state-of-the-art SLAM algorithms. In the latter contribution, we leverage a custom YOLOv5 model trained on panoramic low-resolution images from LiDAR reflectivity (LiDAR-as-a-camera) to detect UAVs, demonstrating the superiority of this approach over point cloud or image-only methods. Additionally, we evaluated the real-time performance of our approach on the Nvidia Jetson Nano, a popular mobile computing platform. Overall, our research underscores the transformative potential of integrating advanced LiDAR sensors with autonomous robotics. By bridging the gaps between different technological approaches, we pave the way for more versatile and efficient applications in the future

Information and communication on the designation and management of Natura2000 sites. Main Report 4: A Proposal for a Natura2000 partner award scheme

Following the selection of Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI) according to the Birds and the Habitats Directives, most European Member States are now in process of formally designating SPAs and SCIs as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Natura2000 sites. These protected areas collectively form the European Union’s Natura2000 network. Member States are also selecting and implementing adequate management approaches and instruments to maintain and restore the favourable conservation status of protected species and habitat types and to prevent damage to the integrity of the sites. Both actions follow Articles 6.1 and 6.2 of the Habitats Directive. To help the Member States, the European Commission wishes to improve the knowledge and exchange of information and good practice both on the designation process of SPAs and SACs and on the establishment of conservation measures and instruments for these areas. Furthermore, the Commission wants to stress the importance of the sites and their management by involving a wider group of stakeholders in the development of so-called integrated management, in accordance with Article 2 of the Habitats Directive. The project ‘PREPARATORY ACTIONS- Lot 2: Information and communication on the designation and management of sites’ (tender ENV.B.2/SER/2007/0076) is intended to help the Commission to achieve these objectives. This is a proposal to the European Commission (EC) for a new European award scheme recognising ‘Natura2000 Partner’ and ‘Natura2000 Partner of the Year’. Our brief was to “elaborate a proposal for a system for rewarding persons, organizations or institutions that have a particular merit in the management of and the communication on Natura2000 sites.” The brief further stipulated the need for an award that would select ‘Natura2000 Partners’ on an annual basis. From these, a selection would be made, enabling the EC to confer the title of ‘Natura2000 Partner of the Year’. Our proposal allows for Member States (MSs) to award this latter title, with an additional title of ‘European Natura2000 Partner of the Year’ being made annually by the EC