Can building footprint extraction from LiDAR be used productively in a topographic mapping context?

Chapter 3Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a quick and economical method for obtaining cloud-point data that can be used in various disciplines and a diversity of applications. LiDAR is a technique that is based on laser technology. The process looks at the two-way travel time of laser beams and measures the time and distance travelled between the laser sensor and the ground (Shan & Sampath, 2005). National Mapping Agencies (NMAs) have traditionally relied on manual methods, such as photogrammetric capture, to collect topographic detail. These methods are laborious, work-intensive, lengthy and hence, costly. In addition because photogrammetric capture methods are often time-consuming, by the time the capture has been carried out, the information source, that is the aerial photography, is out of date (Jenson and Cowen, 1999). Hence NMAs aspire to exploit methods of data capture that are efficient, quick, and cost-effective while producing high quality outputs, which is why the application of LiDAR within NMAs has been increasing. One application that has seen significant advances in the last decade is building footprint extraction (Shirowzhan and Lim, 2013). The buildings layer is a key reference dataset and having up-to-date, current and complete building information is of paramount importance, as can be witnessed with government agencies and the private sectors spending millions each year on aerial photography as a source for collecting building footprint information (Jenson and Cowen, 1999). In the last decade automatic extraction of building footprints from LiDAR data has improved sufficiently to be of an acceptable accuracy for urban planning (Shirowzhan and Lim, 2013).peer-reviewe

Congenital malformations survey : a preliminary report

A congenital malformation may be defined as any developmental defect which is present on clinical examination at the time of birth or within the first few months of life. The purpose of this paper is to give a preliminary report on the congenital malformations, major and minor, found in the first 1000 consecutive deliveries at St. Luke's Hospital, Malta over a period of one year. This preliminary survey indicates that the incidence of major and minor congenital malformations in babies born at St. Luke's Hospital is in the region of 2% (20 out of 1016 total births) and 10% (106 out of 1016 total births) respectively. This is similar to that reported from other countries. It is concluded that in spite of alleged inbreeding in a relatively small island population, there is probably no greater incidence of major and minor anomalies in the Maltese islands.peer-reviewe

A case of anorectal agenesis : postoperative complications

An analysis of the postoperative complications of a case of ano-rectal agenesis is here presented. The multiplicity of factors involved, with special emphasis on protein-calorie malnutrition, together with the importance of team-work in the management of this case, is emphasised. The postoperative care of a seriously ill child who has undergone major surgery and may be suffering from multiple complications, necessitates close liaison between the surgeon, the pediatrician and the laboratory and nursing staff. It is clear from the comments about this case that the utmost attention to detail is crucial in the management of such casespeer-reviewe

Insulin prescription and administration and blood glucose monitoring at Mater Dei Hospital

Background: Incorrect insulin prescription and administration has been associated with substantial medication-related patient harm and mortality. We aimed to assess whether blood glucose was being monitored according to our local hospital protocol and whether insulin was being prescribed accurately by doctors and administered safely by nurses. Moreover, we evaluated whether education to nurses and doctors resulted in less insulin prescription and administration errors. Methods: Inpatients on insulin in Mater Dei hospital’s medical wards were recruited. Data was collected from patients’ files on errors in insulin prescription and on the timing of blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration in relation to meals. The first audit was carried out in 2013. A re-audit was carried out in 2017 following education to doctors and nurses and a change in the treatment chart format. The z-test was used to compare the two audits. Results: On re-auditing, a significant improvement was noted in the timing of blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration in relation to meals, in the legibility of the insulin doses, ‘Units’ were more written in full and supplementary Actrapid® was more frequently prescribed where indicated. However, inappropriate omission of fixed insulin doses occurred more often, while written instructions by doctors on when to administer fixed insulin, including supplementary Actrapid®, were still lacking. Moreover, there was no improvement in adherence to the supplementary Actrapid® algorithm by nurses. Conclusion: Further education and an improved treatment chart including hypo- and hyperglycaemia trouble-shooting guidelines are required to further reduce insulin prescription and administration errors.peer-reviewe

Use of Corine land cover and Image 2000 : CORINE land cover applications in support of national and European policies (vol 2)

This publication emanates from research in Land Cover and its applications through CLC and Image 2000 data, covering CORINE Land Cover Applications in Support of National and European Policies. The chapters focus on tackling climate change, biodiversity loss and understanding spatial change, protecting human health and quality of life, sustainable use and management of natural resources and waste. The applications also focus on support of sustainable development and other environment policies as well as support of other sectoral policies.OPOCE request No PUB 2005/1954, EN LB-69-05-925-EN-Z 92-79-00055-1peer-reviewe

Does visualisation of digital landscapes serve itself : how topographic, planning, environmental and other thematic information is integrated and disseminated via web GIS

Digital landscapes provide decision makers with readily-available tools that enhance the policy-to-decision process. Malta has been witness to various processes to create digital landscapes for both the professional and the general public. This study reviews the operational and technological processes employed since the introduction of GIS in Malta and reviews the issue of 3D GIS and whether visualisation served its purpose in reaching the current state of affairs. A case-study on one particular research is reviewed which investigates whether users look at visualisation outputs as part of a larger environment or as an end in themselves.peer-reviewe

Seismic Monitoring Tool for Tidal-Forced Aquifer Level Changes in the Río de la Plata Coastal Plain, Argentina

Ambient seismic noise has gained extensive applications in seismology and plays a pivotal role in environmental seismic studies. This study focuses on the Río de la Plata Coastal Plain, employing the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method on ambient seismic noise records to analyze subsurface dynamics. The region’s hydrogeology is complex, featuring partially interconnected coastal aquifers. The HVSR analysis reveals two peaks, with P0 associated with the sediment-basement interface and P1 linked to a shallower stratigraphic discontinuity. Temporal analysis of P1 highlights cyclical patterns correlated with estuarine levels, suggesting a relationship between variations in seismic velocities and tidal dynamics. Comparisons with aquifer data support the hypothesis that tidal variations influence subsurface mechanical properties, impacting the HVSR function. The study hints at the potential of ambient seismic noise analysis as a non-invasive and cost-effective method for studying coastal aquifers and understanding groundwater dynamics. Ongoing research aims to further explore these relationships for enhanced groundwater resource management

Fetomaternal transfusion : a cause of anemia at birth

It has been estimated that the passage of fetal erythrocytes into the maternal circulation (feto-maternal transfusion) occurs normally in about 50 percent of all pregnancies. This is the mechanism underlying Rh-isoimmunisation of the newborn and except in these cases it is usually of no consequence because the majority of such hemorrhages are small. In some cases, however, the bleed is of sufficient degree to cause anemia, shock or even stillbirth. Two cases of feto-maternal transfusion are described, whereby the clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment are reported. The differential diagnosis of anemia at birth is not usually difficult and a list of causes is illustrated in a table. There are two main groups of conditions causing obvious anemia at birth. The first and by far the commonest is hemolytic anemia and the second group is anemia caused by intrauterine hemorrhage. Treatment depends on the degree of anemia and the general condition of the baby.peer-reviewe