FUSION OF TLS AND UAV PHOTOGRAMMETRY DATA FOR POST-EARTHQUAKE 3D MODELING OF A CULTURAL HERITAGE CHURCH

Abstract. Nowadays, the necessity of heritage documentation is essential for monitoring, maintenance, and understanding needed for conservation. The survey phase has been considerably improved using cutting-edge technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS). Both of these technologies have been applied in heritage documentation individually or combined. Heritage documentation in a post-natural disaster is a situation that requires rapid data acquisition on a hazardous field. On 12th of June 2017 an earthquake (Mw = 6.3), south of Lesvos island, Greece occurred, which was devastating for the Vrisa village destroying, among many other buildings the main church. The Greek State decided from the first moment to restore the whole village, which was proclaimed as a “traditional settlement” since 2002, in its original place starting from the church and the school due to the symbolic meaning that those have to a local community. For this purpose, a 3D model of the church was requested by the authorities for damage assessment. In this paper TLS and UAV photogrammetry has been used in an integrated design to rapidly facilitate the acquisition of the whole church, eliminating all possible occlusions. The TLS was exploited for the acquisition of the facades while the UAV was used for the acquisition of the roof. The recent improvement of the post-processing algorithms provided the ability to implement the fusion of TLS and UAV models and deliver an accurate 3D model of the whole church the same day that the survey was conducted. </jats:p

Landraces versus commercial common bean cultivars under organic growing conditions: A comparative study based on agronomic performance and physicochemical traits

This study targeted to assess the yield components and physicochemical traits of eight common bean landraces versus four commercial cultivars widely grown in Greece. The genotypes were cultivated for two growing seasons under organic growing conditions and a preponderance [better agronomic characteristics; number of pods per plant, seed weight, biomass and enhanced physicochemical properties; protein and fat content (%)] of landraces over commercial cultivars was found. It was also observed that organic environment of experimentation allowed for better differentiation of the examined genetic material but displayed a negative impact on the commercial cultivars. These results were obtained by determining the genetic parameters (GCV, H) and orthogonal contrasts between different (landraces versus commercial cultivars) groups according both to growth type and origin. High detectable genetic variation in agronomic performance and physicochemical traits among the examined dry bean cultivars was found. Three high yield landraces of enhanced physicochemical properties (% protein and fat content) were identified as promising material for eventual production of ecotypes endowed with high adaptation to organic cropping system

Genetic diversity among common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Greek landraces and commercial cultivars: nutritional components, RAPD and morphological markers

The genetic diversity among the main local landraces and commercial cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivated in Greece, was estimated by studying the morphological, agronomical and physicochemical traits along with molecular data analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD markers). Cluster analysis was conducted on similarity estimates using the UPGMA algorithm. Application of cluster analysis resulted in a dendrogram representing the genetic relationship among landraces and main bean cultivars grown in Greece. A wide genetic variation was observed among collected local bean landraces in morphological characteristics such as seed color, seed size and growth habit. According to agronomic performance, significant differences were found in number and weight of pods per plant. Variation in protein and fat content among landraces and commercial cultivars was also detected. Moreover, in some landraces like Kastoria and Byzitsa M/M extremely high values for protein content (28.6% and 27.0% respectively) were recorded. Such values were greater than the average protein content previously recorded for other cultivars of this species. Genetic similarity estimated from molecular analysis with RAPDs, seemed not to be related with the seed morphological characteristics and agronomic performance. Only qualitative parameters like growth habit and occasionally geographical origin of landraces were positively correlated with the molecular classification. Local bean landraces were classified in three subgroups whereas the commercial cultivars formed another separate group underlining the narrow genetic base of cultivars

A new practical methodology for the banking sector to assess corporate sustainability risks with an application in the energy sector

Summarization: The growing recognition of the key role the business community plays in sustainable development has led banking institutions to introduce sustainable criteria into their lending processes in order to reduce the risk associated with the lending decisions. This paper aims to develop a novel approach to assist banking institutions in assessing corporate sustainability risks through published information. It is a practical tool which uses a scoring measurement system in order to evaluate nine categories of corporate sustainability risks using information provided in financial statements and corporate sustainability reports. To test the proposed framework and assess its applicability, an analysis was performed in a sample of reports published by 17 firms which operate in the energy sector. The implementation of the suggested framework was a straightforward process and it forms a good basis for the development of sector specific assessment tools. Also, findings from the analysis indicate that the examined reports do not provide sufficient information about corporate sustainability risks.Presented on: Sustainable Production and Consumptio

Universal Synthesis of Single-Phase Pyrite FeS 2

Nanoscale pyrite FeS2 is considered to be one of few potentially transformative materials for photovoltaics capable of bridging the cost/performance gap of solar batteries. It also holds promise for energy storage applications as the material for high-performance cathodes. Despite prospects, the synthesis of FeS2 nanostructures and diversity of their geometries has been hardly studied. Moreover, the state-of-the-art aqueous dispersions of nanoscale pyrite, which have special significance for solar energetics, are particularly disappointing due to low quality. There are no known methods to produce well-crystallized nanoparticles and other geometries of nanoscale pyrite in water or mixed aqueous solvents. Here, we describe a successful synthesis of single-phase pyrite nanoparticles with a diameter of 2-5 nm in polar solvent and aqueous dispersions. The particles display high uniformity and crystallographic purity. Moreover, the synthetic approach developed for nanoparticles was proven to be quite universal and can be modified to produce both nanowires and nanosheets, which also display high crystallinity. The diameter of the pyrite nanowires was 80-120 am with the length exceeding 5 mu m. The nanosheets displayed lateral dimensions of 100-200 nm with the thickness of 2 nm. Availability of single-phase FeS2 nanoscale aqueous dispersions is expected to stimulate further studies of these materials in green energy conversion technologies and drug delivery applications.

The effects of a standardized belly dance program on perceived pain, disability, and function in women with chronic low back pain

BACKGROUND: An alternative approach to facilitate movement and control through the trunk and pelvis is belly dancing. Investigations of belly dancing mechanics indicate similar muscular activation patterns of those known to influence chronic low back pain (cLBP). However, no documented studies have examined its effectiveness as a treatment for cLBP. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a standardized belly dance program in women with cLBP. METHODS: A single subject design was used to evaluate weekly outcomes during a three-week baseline period, six-week belly dance program, and again at a two-month follow-up. Outcome measures for pain, disability, function, and fear-Avoidance beliefs were utilized. RESULTS: Two subjects completed the program. No significant differences were noted during the baseline assessment period. At two months, subject one demonstrated change scores of-1.12,-1%, and 2.2 for pain, disability, and function respectively while subject two demonstrated change scores of 5.4, 5%, and 1.1 for pain, disability, and function, respectively. Subject one showed a clinically significant change score for both fear avoidance of work and physical activity, with score changes of 4 and 3.3, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest a standardized belly dance program may positively influence pain and function in women with cLBP