Filed Data Research Articles

Sample design effects in landscape genetics

An important research gap in landscape genetics is the impact of different field sampling designs on the ability to detect the effects of landscape pattern on gene flow. We evaluated how five different sampling regimes (random, linear, systematic, cluster, and single study site) affected the probability of correctly identifying the generating landscape process of population structure. Sampling regimes were chosen to represent a suite of designs common in field studies. We used genetic data generated from a spatially-explicit, individual-based program and simulated gene flow in a continuous population across a landscape with gradual spatial changes in resistance to movement. Additionally, we evaluated the sampling regimes using realistic and obtainable number of loci (10 and 20), number of alleles per locus (5 and 10), number of individuals sampled (10–300), and generational time after the landscape was introduced (20 and 400). For a simulated continuously distributed species, we found that random, linear, and systematic sampling regimes performed well with high sample sizes (>200), levels of polymorphism (10 alleles per locus), and number of molecular markers (20). The cluster and single study site sampling regimes were not able to correctly identify the generating process under any conditions and thus, are not advisable strategies for scenarios similar to our simulations. Our research emphasizes the importance of sampling data at ecologically appropriate spatial and temporal scales and suggests careful consideration for sampling near landscape components that are likely to most influence the genetic structure of the species. In addition, simulating sampling designs a priori could help guide filed data collection efforts

Application of Branching Models in the Study of Invasive Species

Earthquake occurrences are often described using a class of branching models called epidemic-type aftershock sequence (ETAS) models. The name derives from the fact that the model allows earthquakes to cause aftershocks, and then those aftershocks may induce subsequent aftershocks, and so on. Despite their value in seismology, such models have not previously been used in studying the incidence of invasive plant and animal species. Here, we apply ETAS models to study the spread of an invasive species in Costa Rica (Musa velutina, or red banana). One challenge in this ecological application is that fitting the model requires the originations of the plants, which are not observed but may be estimated using filed data on the heights of the plants on a given date and their empirical growth rates. We then characterize the estimated spatial-temporal rate of spread of red banana plants using a space-time ETAS model.

Safety of Lane Change Maneuver Through A Priori Prediction of Trajectory Using Neural Networks

Lane change (LC) is a maneuver that allows drivers to enter into a lane that suits their requirements and comfort. The LC process requires the driver to assess its neighborhood traffic in its original and target lanes before undertaking the maneuver. Other vehicles in the neighborhood also need to adjust for safe lane change. The LC trajectory is determined by the accuracy of these subjective assessments as well as the state of traffic. An erroneous assessment by LC vehicle or neighboring vehicles or an incorrect maneuver can cause collision. The collision can be prevented if the LC trajectory can be predicted and the feasibility of LC can be communicated to different vehicles involved in this process. . In the present paper, neural network is used for long term forecast of the lane change trajectory and for short term near future positions of the LC vehicle. The neural network is trained using past LC trajectories of different vehicles. The trained network is then used for long and short term forecast of the vehicle’s positions during LC. Simulation results with actual filed data observed data indicates that neural network is able to learn LC maneuvers and is able to perform short term prediction with sufficient accuracy.

Drifter trajectory tracking experiment and analysis with multi-frequency HFSWR in the East China Sea

We conducted the drifter trajectory tracking experiment for two drifters in the East China Sea, in which the currents were detected by two multi-frequency HFSWRs using the Lagrange-tracking method. The tracking drifter trajectory shows good agreement with the GPS records by qualitative and quantitative analysis that indicates that drifter tracking by HFSWR is valid. In the 12-hour tracking for drifters P1 and P2, the average errors are 1.84 km, 1.73 km, and the maximum errors are 3.52 km and 3.12 km, respectively. The current measurement is evaluated by an acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) in-situ observation, and it is the first multi-frequency HFSWR ocean surface monitoring experiment in China. In addition, the main aspects (HFSWR current measurement error, wind, and wave) influencing the tracking accuracy are discussed, and especially the wind factor’s impact is analyzed through the wind filed data.

ASTER detection of chromite bearing mineralized zones in Semail Ophiolite Massifs of the northern Oman Mountains: Exploration strategy

Economically viable chromite deposit occurrences are widespread in the ultramafic rocks of Semail ophiolite massifs of the northern Oman Mountains, particularly in the basal dunite and harzburgite unit of the mantle section. Geological mapping of this region is challenging, primarily due to difficult access, complexity of structures, and lack of resolution and areal integrity of lithological differentiation using conventional mapping techniques. The present research study evaluates the discrimination and occurrence of chromites bearing mineralized zones within ophiolites by analyzing the capabilities of Landsat TM and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite data; using a number of selected methods including decorrelated stretching, different band rationing and Principal Component Analysis image processing techniques exist in the scientific literature. The study results show that the processed VNIR and SWIR spectral wavelength regions are promising in detecting the areas of potential chromite bearing mineralized zones within the ophiolite region, and proved to be successful for mapping of serpentinized harzburgite containing chromites. Exploration geologists, industrialists and mine owners are advised to adopt this technique and avoid the limits in filed data alone for more exploration and exploitation of areas having chromite deposits in arid region elsewhere.

Developing an expert system for predicting alluvial channel geometry using ANN

Cross section geometry of stable alluvial channels usually is estimated by simple inaccurate empirical equations, because of the complexity of the phenomena and unknown physical processes of regime channels. So, the main purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of simulating regime channel treatments using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The process of training and testing of this new model is done using a set of available published filed data (371 data numbers). Several statistical and graphical criterions are used to check the accuracy of the model in comparison with previous empirical equations. The multilayer perceptron (MLP) artificial neural network was used to construct the simulation model based on the training data using back-propagation algorithm. The results show a considerably better performance of the ANN model over the available empirical or rational equations. The constructed ANN models can almost perfectly simulate the width, depth and slope of alluvial regime channels, which clearly describes the dominant geometrical parameters of alluvial rivers. The results demonstrate that the ANN can precisely simulate the regime channel geometry, while the empirical, regression or rational equations can’t do this. The presented methodology in this paper is a new approach in establishing alluvial regime channel relations and predicting cross section geometry of alluvial rivers also it can be used to design stable irrigation and water conveyance channels.

Numerical Study of Topographic Changes of Intertidal Flat due to Tidal and Coastal Currents

A three-dimensional numerical model to simulate the topographic change of intertidal flats of sand and cohesive sediments like mud due to tidal and coastal currents was applied to the field of the Shirakawa Intertidal Flat in the Ariake Sea. Numerical results showed good agreements qualitatively with observed results with regard to topographic changes around the mouth of river. They also showed that the simultaneous calculation of tidal and coastal currents including the wave-current interaction and the consideration of mud content were very important to simulate the topographic change of intertidal flats. Finaly, the sediment budget around the mouth of river were calculated and the results showed almost good agreements with the estimation by using filed data. These results show the validity of this model to calculate sediment transports and topographic changes of the intertidal flat.

Analysis of the filed data of a sample of Egyptian children with bronchial asthma

Background: Identification of the clinical profile of asthma in a community is crucial to the understanding of the growing disease burden. We sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics and management outcome of a sample of asthmatic children from Cairo city and its suburbs. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the data of 422 consecutively numbered files of asthmatic children from the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit of Ain Shams University Children's Hospital. Data collected included the age at onset, duration of follow up, precipitating factors, feeding history, clinical severity, presence of other allergic diseases and outcome and course of the disease. This is besides the available results of laboratory and imaging studies and the treatment received including the routes and types of therapy. Results: The results revealed that 197 children (46.7%) had bronchial asthma only while 225 (53.3%) had concomitant allergic disorders. Males outnumbered females and urban residents outnumbered suburban and rural residents and all cases belonged to the low and middle social and economic community sectors. A positive family history of allergy in general was evident in about 40% of cases. Viral infection was the most common precipitating factor for exacerbations. Mild and moderate persistent asthma were more frequent than the severe variety (15.10%, 10.20%, and 1.50%). Serum total IgE and peripheral blood eosinophil counts were elevated and atopy was evident in most cases. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy was the most commonly prescribed treatment in the current study but compliance was generally poor. Conclusion: Wider scale multi-center studies in Cairo and other localities of Egypt are needed to outline the profile of childhood asthma in the whole country using a population rather than a referral center-based approach. Keywords: Pediatric asthma, risk factors, asthma grade, asthma triggers, smoking, residence Egypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009;7(2):59-64

An expert system for predicting longitudinal dispersion coefficient in natural streams by using ANFIS

Longitudinal dispersion coefficient in rivers and natural streams usually is estimated by simple inaccurate empirical relations, because of the complexity of the phenomena. So, in this study using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), which have the ability of perception and realization of phenomenon without need for mathematical governing equations, a new flexible tool is developed to predict the longitudinal dispersion coefficient. The process of training and testing of this new model is done using a set of available published filed data. Several statistical and graphical criterions are used to check the accuracy of the model. The dispersion coefficient values predicted by the ANFIS model satisfactorily compared with the measured data. The predicted values were also compared with those predicted using available empirical equations that have been suggested in the literature and it was found that the ANFIS model with R2=0.99 and RMSE=15.18 in training stage and R2=0.91 and RMSE=187.8 in testing stage is superior in predicting the dispersion coefficient than the best accurate empirical equation with R2=0.48 and RMSE=295.7. The presented methodology in this paper is a new approach in estimating dispersion coefficient in streams and can be combined with mathematical models of pollutant transfer or real-time updating of these models.

Study of Variation of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity with Time

The variation of the saturated hydraulic conductivity with time, as a function of temperature, has been studied involving field measurement at the College of Aboureyhan Research farm. The College of Aboureyhan is a part of the University of Tehran and the above-mentioned farm is located in the lowland of the southeast of Tehran, Iran. For the purposes of this research study it was planned to measure and record the field data in a plot of 18m2. The hydraulic conductivity data were measured in 18 test points inside the study area using the inverse auger-hole method. Experiments were carried out from August 16, 2005 to June 14, 2006. The recorded filed data were then used to calculate the saturated hydraulic conductivity data using Excel software. The relationship between soil temperature, water temperature, and also water’s viscosity with hydraulic conductivity, respectively, were determined. The results of the statistical analysis involving SAS software demonstrated that the variation of temperature can considerably affect the saturated hydraulic conductivity values. The results showed that the lowest values of Ks were obtained in the winter when the water, soil, and air temperature were minimal and these values increased when the temperature increased. The effect of the means of daily K values (values measured in each sample date Kd) and their corresponding soil temperature adjusted values on drain spacing was determined compared with the average of total K values. The maximum over- and underestimation of drain spacing was 19.1 and 23.3%, respectively, for measured values. These estimations were 9 and 16% for adjusted ones. Also, using the average values of K measured in the soil temperature range of 17–23°C resulted in a lower over- or underestimation of drain spacing.

Development for Statistical Models about Damage of Tree in a Coastal Forest Due to Tsunami

A statistical analysis by using the filed data of damage of tree in a coastal forest due to a past tsunami was carried out, and the influence factor that contributed to damage of tree due to tsunami was extracted from a statistical analysis. And then, statistical models were developed by using the filed data. The statistical model for lodging rate explains the actual measurement value well by diameter of tree, root form, dn and tsunami inundation depth, The statistical model for destruction rate explains the actual measurement value well by root form, dn and tsunami inundation depth. In addition, actual probability of occurrence of tree damage and the probability of the present model used inundation depth from tsunami simulation were compared, and suitability of the present model was examined.

Shaft Power Matching and Performance Prediction for Contra-Rotating Axial Flow Fans

The purpose of shaft power matching of contra-rotating axial flow fans (CRAFF) is to ensure the best utilization of the motors at their rated power while not to overload them at the operation.Usually it requires a lot of time and effort due to lack of theoretical guidance and, thus, becomes a major problem for the application of CRAFF. Through analyzing velocity triangle, the authors have found a nondimensional parameter k, defined as the tangential ratio of two relative outflow angles for two impellers, to be critical for successful shaft power matching and aerodynamic design. The authors then performed a numerical simulation of the flow field for a design of CRAFF, of which the performance prediction was validated very well by test data. Based on the analysis of the flow filed data, the result obtained from the velocity triangle analysis is further improved and some values for k and deviation angle δ are recommended. In order to determine the approximate optimum of blade pitch angles of two impellers, a guideline for shaft power matching is then presented. Finally, a comparison of the blade pitch angles obtained from the guideline with that obtained from the optimum using numerical simulation are carried out for six designs of CRAFF. The errors are only within 2 degrees.

Associated Positive Patch Test Reactions to Standard Contact Allergens

Background: Patch testing with a standard allergen series often yields positive reactions to more than 1 allergen in a patient. Objective: To identify all significantly associated pairs of positive reactions and to assess their relation to the strength of the reactions and to the irritative potential of the allergens. Methods: Based on the filed data of 57,822 patients, associations between positive reactions to 2 different allergens were quantified with odds ratios. Statistical methods included Fisher's exact test, the Bonferroni adjustment to account for the effect of multiple testing, and the Spearman rank correlation. Results: Out of the 32,779 patients with complete readings of 24 standard allergens, 7,501 had shown more than 1 positive reaction. Statistically significant associations were detected for 166 out of the 276 possible different combinations of 2 distinct positive reactions, including combinations that had not been identified before. Patients with a strong reaction or a positive reaction to an allergen with a high irritative potential tended to have additional positive reactions to further allergens more often than others, but the number of significant associations was not dependent on these parameters. Conclusion: There are more significant associations that have to be taken into account for patch testing than has been known so far. Although irritation can favor a higher number of positive reactions, significant associations of positive reactions to distinct allergens are probably caused by other mechanisms that require further analyses.

Database Based Reasoning for Real Time Monitoring and Data Analysis in Intensive Care Units

The complexity of the monitored data available in modern intensive care units (ICUs) means that they are best processed, for presentation to medical staff, by expert system techniques. This article describes an expert system that has an appropriately designed inference engine, handling the temporal considerations inherent in monitoring and manages data acquisition via a Medical Information Bus. Also, we will describe how we extended our monitoring system in ICUs by writing an interface allowing communication in dynamic SQL with a relational database management system. The extended system facilitates both permanent filing of case data and the use of filed data by the rules of the expert system, and allows automatic intelligent screening of data prior to permanent filing so as to ensure data reliability.

An On‐line Endoscopic Image Filing System

Abstract: The introduction of the electronic endoscope has opened the way to tremendous possibilities in handling endoscopic images in terms of filing, storage and retrieval. Although there have been many approaches to retaining endoscopic data, no system has been found to be applicable to all endoscopy units. An integrated filing system that allows storage and recall of endoscopic data in a rapid and convenient manner is essential for a busy endoscopy unit. A hybrid filing system developed by combining analog and digital devices is currently in use in many endoscopy units and fulfills this purpose to some extent. We have developed an on‐line system of endoscopic image filing together with a local area network by connecting the hospital host computer, different endoscopy units and terminals located in distant places within the hospital. This system assured filing of digitalized endoscopic and endoscopic ultrasound images together with simultaneous rapid and reliable access to the filed data. Future improvements will include simultaneous recording of endoscopic reports and application of image analyzing software.

Use of geological and geochemical data for the derivation of maps for environmental planning in Iisalmi, Finland

Geoscientific maps for the purposes of land-use planning are being produced by the Geological Survey of Finland (GSF), the pilot area for this being the twon of Iisalmi in Eastern Finland. The work requires close cooperation between geologists and land-use planners. The collection comprises thematic maps of natural resources, water reserves, susceptibility to acidification, natural heavy metal concentrations, environmental impact and bedrock to a scale of 1:50,000. The maps are based on data published earlier by GSF on traditional geological maps, i.e. a digitalized bedrock map (1:100,000), a map of surficial deposits (1:20,000), aerogeophysical maps (1:100,000) and geochemical maps (1:400,000). This new series of maps of specific local government areas is being produced by Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques using the ARC/INFO program, which allows the combination and analysis of large databases and the inclusion of non-geological filed data, e.g. roads and other sites of human activity. The interest aroused by these geoscientific maps for land-use planning amongst local authorities in Finland has been most encouraging.

A New System for Follow‐Up Patients with Permanent Pacemakers

The use of a new computerized system for coordinating technical and clinical data and especially for filing the parameters found during out-patient checkups enables us to rationally carry out follow-up of approximately 900 patients with pacemakers in our electrostimulation laboratory without wasting time or data. The system is composed of a personal Olivetti M240 computer, with a 20 Bbyte and 640 Kram hard disk, an analog-digital interface and a personalized data base for coordinating and filing the parameters found. The type of pacemaker implanted (monocameral, dual chamber or rate responsive) is of no consequence to the system that is based on the acquisition of the surface electrocardiogram. A comparison of the filed data on printouts or graphs allows us to note every type of misfunction or anomaly in the stimulation system in real time.

舶用機関の故障診断演習システムの試作研究

This training system for students or ship operators has two major components.One is a data filing component of engine fault examples in a personal computer taken from many publishments and on-board experience.The other is an exercise-analysis system, composed of a fault diagnosis chart and a solution chart. A fault example chosen from the filed data can be resolved step by step by using these charts.

ランドサットＭＳＳデータからの土壌情報の抽出によるカラー合成と土壌水分変化のは握

LANDSAT MSS data contains spectral reflectance information that is mainly about soil and vegetation except of course data from water covered areas. We want to have soil color information in order to recognise soil conditions and for soil mapping.Therefore, we have developed a method for extracting soil spectral reflectance information from LANDSAT MSS data, as follows.1) We use a two dimensional graph of log IR and R for the determination of constants for use in the calculation of vegetation covering ratios. The G and R reflectances of plants are determined by IR: G and IR: R graphs.2) When we need to skip some of the MSS data (compression data) so we pick up the most useful pixels from the data. Therefore, we select the pixels that are the lowest values in the IR band omitting those from water covered areas, and file the pixels of the R and G bands at the same location as the IR band.3) We calculate vegetation covering ratios with the constants determined by method 1) and new filed data in method 2) . Then, we calculate the soil reflectance of the R and G bands using vegetation covering ratios, new filed data and R and G reflectances of plants.4) B band reflectance is not discerned by LANDSAT MSS, so we interpolate it from R and G band data using a soil spectral model.5) We make soil color images using R, G and B band reflectances of the soil.As to the application of this soil color image, we are able to extract the soil moisture changes between two LANDSAT scans. The method for accomplishing this is as follow.1) Reconciling of data from two scans of the same location at different times.2) Extraction of soil spectral reflectance.3) Calculation of the changing value of soil reflectances between the two times.We can get useful information about soil distribution and moisture from this color image. We can understand the systems of using water on paddy fields with the image of soil moisture changes.

A micro-computer based colonoscopy data filing program

A micro-computer based colonoscopy data filing program has been developed. The program supports random access patient data filing and in addition to printing patient records, doctors reports may be generated and the filed data may be analysed. The program is « user friendly » so that all data and coding and decoding is undertaken by the computer itself.