Remote Field Research Articles

Challenges and Opportunities Facing Students of Field Training in Social Work through e-Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Social Study on a Sample of Students of Al-Balqa Applied University

The study aims at identifying Challenges and opportunities facing students of field training in social work through e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: a social study on a sample of students of Al-Balqa Applied University. The study sample consisted of (64) trainees, who were selected by the social survey method through comprehensive inventory. Descriptive statistical methods and the multiple variance test were used. Results showed that the most important challenges faced by the students were the presence of challenges brought about by the pandemic, including the inability of the trainee to meet the client in social institutions, in addition to challenges such as using the computer and lack of a network of communication, also, student’s inability to apply what they learned in theory. Opportunities included remote field training facilitated communication in social institutions. The field training showed the importance of using digital technology to help clients during crises. Among the average level opportunities was the increase of opportunities of getting acquainted with the experiences of national and international social institutions. The results have shown that there were no statistically significant differences at (0.05≥α) in the level of challenges for the distance-trained students, according to their opinion, as attributed to the variables of gender, academic level and level of field training.

System Structure–Based Drought Disaster Risk Assessment Using Remote Sensing and Field Experiment Data

With the impacts of climate change and human activities, agricultural drought disaster losses have increased remarkably. Drought disaster risk assessment is a prerequisite for formulating disaster reduction strategies and ensuring food security. However, drought disaster risk is a complex system, and quantitative assessment methods reflecting the risk formation mechanism are still rarely reported. This study presented a chain transmission system structure of drought disaster risk, which meant that drought disaster loss risk R was derived from drought hazard H by the transformation of drought disaster vulnerability V. Based on this point, firstly, a drought hazard curve between drought intensity and drought frequency was established using remote sensing data and the copula function. Then, a crop loss calculation approach under various drought events and drought resistance capacity scenarios was achieved by two-season field experiments and the AquaCrop model. Finally, a loss risk curve cluster of “drought frequency–drought resistance capacity–yield loss rate” was proposed by the composition of the above two quantitative relationships. The results of the case study for summer maize in Bengbu City indicated that the average yield loss rate under 19 droughts occurring during the growth period of maize from 1982 to 2017 was 24.51%. High risk happened in 1988, 1992, 1994, 2001, and 2004, with the largest loss rate in 2001, up to 65.58%. Overall, droughts with a return period less than two years occurred frequently during the growth period of summer maize in Bengbu, though the loss risk was still controllable. In conclusion, the results suggest that the loss risk curve provides a new effective method of drought disaster risk quantitative assessment from a physical mechanism perspective, which lays a scientific foundation for decision-making in risk management.

Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Cloud Radiative Swath (CRS) Edition 4 Data Product

Abstract Satellite observations from Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) radiometers have produced over two decades of world-class data documenting time–space variations in Earth’s top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiation budget. In addition to energy exchanges among Earth and space, climate studies require accurate information on radiant energy exchanges at the surface and within the atmosphere. The CERES Cloud Radiative Swath (CRS) data product extends the standard Single Scanner Footprint (SSF) data product by calculating a suite of radiative fluxes from the surface to TOA at the instantaneous CERES footprint scale using the NASA Langley Fu–Liou radiative transfer model. Here, we describe the CRS flux algorithm and evaluate its performance against a network of ground-based measurements and CERES TOA observations. CRS all-sky downwelling broadband fluxes show significant improvements in surface validation statistics relative to the parameterized fluxes on the SSF product, including a ∼30%–40% (∼20%) reduction in SW↓ (LW↓) root-mean-square error (RMSΔ), improved correlation coefficients, and the lowest SW↓ bias over most surface types. RMSΔ and correlation statistics improve over five different surface types under both overcast and clear-sky conditions. The global mean computed TOA outgoing LW radiation (OLR) remains within <1% (2–3 W m−2) of CERES observations, while the global mean reflected SW radiation (RSW) is excessive by ∼3.5% (∼9 W m−2) owing to cloudy-sky computation errors. As we highlight using data from two remote field campaigns, the CRS data product provides many benefits for studies requiring advanced surface radiative fluxes.

Effect of flaw orientation on magnetic flux leakage and remote field eddy current inspection of small diameter steel tubes

ABSTRACT This paper presents effect of flaw orientation on magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and remote field eddy current (RFEC) inspection of small diameter (19.05-mm outer diameter, OD and 2.77-mm wall thickness, WT) seamless low carbon steel tubes. Artificial electro-discharge machined (EDM) notches in three carbon steel Tubes A (orientations from 0° to 90° in steps of 10° and 50% WT depth), B (70° orientation and depths from 10% WT to 100% WT in steps of 10% WT) and C (50° orientation and depths from 10% WT to 60% WT in steps of 10% WT) were used to investigate the detectability of notches with different orientations and depths. Studies on different notch orientations reveal that RFEC technique detected all the notches with good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), while MFL technique detected the notches with orientations from 40° to 90°. The effect of notch orientation is observed more in MFL technique as compared to RFEC technique. Further, the effects of scanning speed and notch depth for the detection of oriented notches were studied. Studies reveal that the effect of scanning speed is also more (40 times) dominant in MFL technique as compared to RFEC technique. Studies also reveal that the scanning effect is again dependent upon the notch depth. For 70° oriented notches, MFL technique is found to be more sensitive to notch depth as compared to RFEC technique. For 50° oriented notches, RFEC technique is found to be more sensitive to notch depth as compared to MFL technique.

Combined Tension-Shear Failure of Ductile Materials

Failure of ductile materials is usually expressed in terms of effective plastic strain. Ductile materials can fail by two different failure modes, shear failure and tensile failure. Under dynamic loading, shear failure has to do with shear localization and formation of adiabatic shear bands. In these bands plastic strain rate is very high, dissipative heating is extensive, and shear strength is lost. Shear localization starts at a certain value of effective plastic strain, when thermal softening overcomes strain hardening. Shear failure is therefore represented in terms of effective plastic strain. On the other hand, tensile failure comes about by void growth under tension. For voids in a tension field there is a threshold state of the remote field for which voids grow spontaneously (cavitation) and the material there fails. Cavitation depends on the remote field stress components and on the flow stress. In this way failure in tension is related to shear strength and to failure in shear. Here, we first evaluate the cavitation threshold for different remote field situations, using 2D numerical simulations with a hydrocode. We then use the results to compute examples of rate dependent tension-shear failure of a ductile material.

A long-term alternative formula for a stochastic stock price model

This study presents a long-term alternative formula for stock price variation described by a geometric Brownian motion on the basis of median instead of mean or expected values. The proposed method is motivated by the observation made in remote fields, where optimalizty of bet-hedging or diversification strategies is explained based on a measure different from expected value, like geometric mean. When the probability distribution of possible outcomes is significantly skewed, it is generally known that expected value leads to an erroneous picture owing to its sensitivity to outliers, extreme values of rare occurrence. Since geometric mean, or its counterpart median for the log-normal distribution, does not suffer from this drawback, it provides us with a more appropriate measure especially for evaluating long-term outcomes dominated by outliers. Thus, the present formula makes a more realistic prediction for long-term outcomes of a large volatility, for which the probability distribution becomes conspicuously heavy-tailed.

Sediment Dynamics In Lacustrine Environments — Northern Amazon

Lakes are features found in Brazil’s northern region, commonly formed in sandy-clay layers of the Plio-Pleistocene, in a setting of the extensive flat surface, and under a high precipitation rate. Our goal in this work is to understand the sediment transport dynamic and its relation to the hydrological behavior of the regional lacustrine system. Two lakes were selected, Lago do Italiano (LIT) and Lago do Bicho (LB), situated in the municipality of Bonfim in the state of Roraima, Brazil. The lakes differ in hydrological regime, depth, and vegetation. The methodology involved bibliographical and remote sensor data and field surveys followed by laboratory processing. The results revealed that the lakes are composed of sandy materials, with layers what reach 95% of sand. The grains is medium to fine texture, with morphology angular (0 a 50%) and subangular (18% a 43%) grains, disposed at different depths. The grains’ morphology suggests that their sediment provider source is near and, at the same time, indicates a low energy environment. Concerning the mineralogical attributes, the sediments are of a quartzose nature, which permits their correlation with the arenites of the Boa Vista Formation, a sub-cropping unit. The sediment input is controlled by the seasonal oscillation of the groundwater level and inundation pulses that reach the fluviolacustrine plain of the Tacutu River in which the lakes are inserted.

Cosmology from the kinetic polarized Sunyaev Zel'dovich effect

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons that scatter off free electrons in the large-scale structure induce a linear polarization pattern proportional to the remote CMB temperature quadrupole observed in the electrons' rest frame. The associated blackbody polarization anisotropies are known as the polarized Sunyaev Zel'dovich (pSZ) effect. Relativistic corrections to the remote quadrupole field give rise to a non-blackbody polarization anisotropy proportional to the square of the transverse peculiar velocity field; this is the kinetic polarized Sunyaev Zel'dovich (kpSZ) effect. In this paper, we forecast the ability of future CMB and galaxy surveys to detect the kpSZ effect, finding that a statistically significant detection is within the reach of planned experiments. We further introduce a quadratic estimator for the square of the peculiar velocity field based on a galaxy survey and CMB polarization. Finally, we outline how the kpSZ effect is a probe of cosmic birefringence and primordial non-Gaussianity, forecasting the reach of future experiments.

Rotational Components of Normal Modes Measured at a Natural Sandstone Tower (Kane Springs Canyon, Utah, U.S.A.)

AbstractModal analysis of freestanding rock formations is crucial for evaluating their vibrational response to external stimuli, aiding accurate assessment of associated geohazards. Whereas conventional seismometers can be used to measure the translational components of normal modes, recent advances in rotational seismometer technology now allow direct measurement of the rotational components. We deployed a portable, three-component rotational seismometer for a short-duration experiment on a 36 m high sandstone tower located near Moab, Utah, in addition to conducting modal analysis using conventional seismic data and numerical modeling. Spectral analysis of rotation rate data resolved the first three natural frequencies of the tower (2.1, 3.1, and 5.9 Hz), and polarization analysis revealed the orientations of the rotation axes. Modal rotations were the strongest for the first two eigenmodes, which are mutually perpendicular, full-height bending modes with horizontal axes of rotation. The third mode is torsional with rotation about a subvertical axis. Measured natural frequencies and the orientations of displacements and rotation axes match our numerical models closely for these first three modes. In situ measurements of modal rotations are valuable at remote field sites with limited access, and contribute to an improved understanding of modal deformation, material properties, and landform response to vibration stimuli.

Early childhood practicum students’ perceptions and experiences of a remote directed fieldwork course during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Early childhood (EC) education has usually involved in-person teaching and learning. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed remote teaching on EC practitioners and complicated practicum students’ fieldwork experiences. This study explored EC practicum students’ fieldwork experiences in the U.S. during the pandemic and their preparedness for online teaching and technology employment and integration. Participants included 28 students enrolled in Directed Field Experience in Spring 2021. A mixed-methods approach incorporating multiple sources of data, including reflection papers, interviews, and questionnaires, was used. The findings showed that the EC practicum students changed their perceptions of and attitudes toward a remote field experience course and online teaching with young children over the semester. Additionally, EC practicum students’ challenges and professional and academic growth were evident in their reporting. These findings have implications for the development of effective strategies for alleviating EC practicum students’ challenges, facilitating their professional growth, and providing resources to integrate digital technology in their teaching in developmentally appropriate ways.

Neural mechanisms for turn-taking in duetting plain-tailed wrens.

Recent studies conducted in the natural habitats of songbirds have provided new insights into the neural mechanisms of turn–taking. For example, female and male plain–tailed wrens (Pheugopedius euophrys) sing a duet that is so precisely timed it sounds as if a single bird is singing. In this review, we discuss our studies examining the sensory and motor cues that pairs of wrens use to coordinate the rapid alternation of syllable production. Our studies included behavioral measurements of freely–behaving wrens in their natural habitat and neurophysiological experiments conducted in awake and anesthetized individuals at field sites in Ecuador. These studies show that each partner has a pattern-generating circuit in their brain that is linked via acoustic feedback between individuals. A similar control strategy has been described in another species of duetting songbird, white–browed sparrow–weavers (Plocepasser mahali). Interestingly, the combination of neurophysiological results from urethane-anesthetized and awake wrens suggest a role for inhibition in coordinating the timing of turn–taking. Finally, we highlight some of the unique challenges of conducting these experiments at remote field sites.

Developing a play-anywhere handheld AR storytelling app using remote data collection

Immersive story experiences like immersive theater productions and escape rooms have grown in popularity in recent years, offering the audience a more active role in the events portrayed. However, many of these activities were forced to close at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, arising from restrictions placed on group activities and travel. This created an opportunity for a story experience that users could take part in around their local neighborhoods. Five mobile applications (apps) were developed toward this goal, aiming to make effective use of available local map data, alongside virtual content overlaid on users' surroundings through Augmented Reality (AR), to offer additional story features not present in the real environment. The first two apps investigated the feasibility of such an approach, including the remote field testing of the apps, where participants used their own devices across a variety of locations. Two follow-up apps further aimed to offer an improved user experience, also adopting a more standardized testing procedure, to better ensure each app was completed in an intended manner by those participating remotely. Participants rated their experience through immersion and engagement questionnaire factors that tested for their appropriateness to rate such experiences, in addition to providing their feedback. A final app applied the same AR story implementation to a curated site-specific study, once pandemic restrictions had eased. This combination of remote studies and subsequent curated study offered a reverse methodology to much previous research in this field, but was found to offer advantages in corroborating the results of the remote studies, and also in offering new insights to further improve such an AR story app, that is designed to be used at an outdoor location of the user's choosing. Such an app offers benefits to those who may prefer the opportunity to take part in such an activity solo or close to home, as well as for storytellers to develop an outside story for use at a variety of locations, making it available to a larger audience, without the challenges and costs in migrating it to different locations.

Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Remote Sensing and Field Data in the Wari-Maro Forest Reserve and Its Periphery (Benin)

Land use affects the structure and functioning of forest ecosystems, thus affecting greenhouse gas fluxes. Greenhouse gas emissions were assessed in the Wari-Maro Forest Reserve (FCWM) and its periphery between 2005 and 2020. To achieve this, the methodological approach applied is based on the use of activity data (AD) from 2005 and 2020 land use and land cover maps derived from satellite images and emission factors (EF) from forest inventory data conducted in 2005 and 2020. The analysis of the results shows that the peripheral zone has the highest emission factor evaluated at 87.22 t.eq-CO2 /ha/year against 47.37 t.eq-CO2/ha/year recorded in the Forest Reserve. The total CO2 emissions due to deforestation in the Forest Reserve are 5106.78 t.eq-CO2/ha/year against a global emission of 65402.23 t.eq-CO2/ha/year for the periphery. This high emission of the peripheral area is due to the result of the high anthropogenic pressure in this area. Those due to degradation are 2880.53 t.eq-CO2/ha/year in the Forest Reserve against 1049.67 t.eq-CO2/ha/year in the periphery. The amount of CH4 and N2O increases progressively from the Forest Reserve (319.49 t.eq-CO2/ha/year and 26.80 t.eq-CO2/ha/year) to the periphery (2658.08 t.eq-CO2ha/year and 222.99 t.eq-CO2/ha/year) probably due to the extent of agricultural and livestock production activities in this area.

Rapid cardiac thermal acclimation in wild anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus).

Migratory fishes commonly encounter large and rapid thermal variation, which has the potential to disrupt essential physiological functions. Thus, we acclimated wild, migratory Arctic char to 13°C (∼7°C above a summer average) for an ecologically relevant period (3 days) and measured maximum heart rate (ƒH,max) during acute warming to determine their ability to rapidly improve cardiac function at high temperatures. Arctic char exhibited rapid compensatory cardiac plasticity similar to past observations following prolonged warm acclimation: they reduced ƒH,max over intermediate temperatures (-8%), improved their ability to increase ƒH,max during warming (+10%), and increased (+1.3°C) the temperature at the onset of an arrhythmic heartbeat, a sign of cardiac failure. This rapid cardiac plasticity may help migrating fishes such as Arctic char mitigate short-term thermal challenges. Furthermore, by using mobile Arctic research infrastructure in a remote field location, the present study illustrates the potential for field-based, experimental physiology in such locations.

73 The Digital Cullen Chart: An App to Assess the Visual Field in the Context of Sellar/parasellar Tumours

Abstract Aim 30 years ago, Cullen1 (a neuro-ophthalmologist) developed and validated a simple paper chart for evaluation of the central 25 degrees of the visual field. We re-developed this concept in digital form (as a smartphone application) and sought to assess its sensitivity and specificity in detecting field loss, through comparison with formal machine-based perimetry. Method A case series pilot study was performed to test the app-based Cullen chart for concordance with formal machine-based perimetry (Humphrey and Octopus). 18 patients with a range of sellar/parasellar tumours (pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, and meningioma) being managed in a single neurosurgical centre were involved in this study. Patients underwent formal visual field perimetry as part of standard care. They also underwent assessment using the smartphone-based Cullen chart as part of routine outpatient assessment. 37 eye episodes were assessed, incorporating pre- and post- treatment assessment for a range of potentially compressive pathologies. Results The digital Cullen chart had a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 98% compared with machine-based perimeters. The positive predictive value was 93% and negative predictive value was 92%. Conclusions In the context of visual field assessment for patients with sellar/parasellar tumours, this smartphone-based chart shows strong concordance with machine-based perimeters. It is therefore an accessible visual field screening and monitoring tool for clinicians. With further study, there is also potential for approval as a remote patient-led visual field monitoring method.

Rapid Extraction of Viral Nucleic Acids Using Rotating Blade Lysis and Magnetic Beads.

The complex and lengthy protocol of current viral nucleic acid extraction processes limits their use outside laboratory settings. Here, we describe a rapid and reliable method for extracting nucleic acids from viral samples using a rotating blade and magnetic beads. The viral membrane can be instantly lysed using a high-speed rotating blade, and nucleic acids can be immediately isolated using a silica magnetic surface. The process was completed within 60 s by this method. Routine washing and eluting processes were subsequently conducted within 5 min. The results achieved by this method were comparable to those of a commercially available method. When the blade-based lysis and magnetic bead adsorption processes were performed separately, the RNA recovery rate was very low, and the Ct value was delayed compared to simultaneous lysis and RNA adsorption. Overall, this method not only dramatically shortens the conventional extraction time but also allows for its convenient use outside the laboratory, such as at remote field sites and for point-of-care testing.

Exploring Snowfall Variability through the High-Latitude Measurement of Snowfall (HiLaMS) Field Campaign

Abstract The High-Latitude Measurement of Snowfall (HiLaMS) campaign explored variability in snowfall properties and processes at meteorologically distinct field sites located in Haukeliseter, Norway, and Kiruna, Sweden, during the winters of 2016/17 and 2017/18, respectively. Campaign activities were founded upon the sensitivities of a low-cost, core instrumentation suite consisting of Micro Rain Radar, Precipitation Imaging Package, and Multi-Angle Snow Camera. These instruments are highly portable to remote field sites and, considered together, provide a unique and complementary set of snowfall observations including snowflake habit, particle size distributions, fall speeds, surface snowfall accumulations, and vertical profiles of radar moments and snow water content. These snow-specific parameters, used in combination with existing observations from the field sites such as snow gauge accumulations and ambient weather conditions, allow for advanced studies of snowfall processes. HiLaMS observations were used to 1) successfully develop a combined radar and in situ microphysical property retrieval scheme to estimate both surface snowfall accumulation and the vertical profile of snow water content, 2) identify the predominant snowfall regimes at Haukeliseter and Kiruna and characterize associated macrophysical and microphysical properties, snowfall production, and meteorological conditions, and 3) identify biases in the HARMONIE-AROME numerical weather prediction model for forecasts of snowfall accumulations and vertical profiles of snow water content for the distinct snowfall regimes observed at the mountainous Haukeliseter site. HiLaMS activities and results suggest value in the deployment of this enhanced snow observing instrumentation suite to new and diverse high-latitude locations that may be underrepresented in climate and weather process studies.

Solar-assisted efficient cleanup of high-viscosity oil spills using magnetic porous biochar

Efficient cleanup of oil spills is still a global challenge due to the high viscosity of crude oil and complicated topographic features. Herein, magnetic porous carbon powders (MPCs) with photothermal effect prepared at a Fe(NO3)3: bamboo mass ratio was 1/1 carbonized at 700 °C. After modifying with the n-octadecylamine, the oleophilic MPCs exhibited rapid and selective absorption of different oils from polluted water, with an optimal absorption capacity of 3.2–8.1 g/g. Since oil's viscosity is highly temperature-sensitive, MPCs with photothermal characteristics offer apparent advantages in absorbing high viscosity oil. Moreover, due to the incorporation of magnetic components, powder-like MPCs can be conveyed to a specified oil pollution spot (including gaps or cracks) conveniently and collected through a remote magnetic field. This work demonstrates a simple and low-cost way of designing and producing oil/water separation materials, particularly floating high-viscosity oil recovery.

A Multimodal Sensing Platform for Interdisciplinary Research in Agrarian Environments.

Agricultural and environmental monitoring programs often require labor-intensive inputs and substantial costs to manually gather data from remote field locations. Recent advances in the Internet of Things enable the construction of wireless sensor systems to automate these remote monitoring efforts. This paper presents the design of a modular system to serve as a research platform for outdoor sensor development and deployment. The advantages of this system include low power consumption (enabling solar charging), the use of commercially available electronic parts for lower-cost and scaled up deployments, and the flexibility to include internal electronics and external sensors, allowing novel applications. In addition to tracking environmental parameters, the modularity of this system brings the capability to measure other non-traditional elements. This capability is demonstrated with two different agri- and aquacultural field applications: tracking moth phenology and monitoring bivalve gaping. Collection of these signals in conjunction with environmental parameters could provide a holistic and context-aware data analysis. Preliminary experiments generated promising results, demonstrating the reliability of the system. Idle power consumption of 27.2 mW and 16.6 mW for the moth- and bivalve-tracking systems, respectively, coupled with 2.5 W solar cells allows for indefinite deployment in remote locations.

Study on Remote Field Eddy Current Testing Technology for Crack-like Defects in Long Truss Structure of Aircraft.

Detection of hidden defects of aircraft long truss structures (aluminum alloy) is a challenging problem. The shape of the aircraft truss structure is complex, and the crack defects are buried in a large depth. Without the restriction of skin effect, remote field eddy current (RFEC) has great advantages in detecting buried depth defects. In this paper, in order to detect the hidden defects of the aluminum alloy aircraft long truss structure, the remote field eddy current probe is improved from two aspects of magnetic field enhancement and near-field signal suppression using the finite element method. The results show that indirect coupling energy is greatly enhanced when the connected magnetic circuit is added to the excitation coil. By adding a composite shielding structure outside the excitation coil and the detection coil, respectively, the direct coupling energy is effectively restrained. As a result, the size of the probe is reduced. By optimizing the coil spacing and probe placement position, the detection sensitivity of the probe is improved. The simulation is verified by experiments, and the experimental results are consistent with the simulation conclusions.