Detection of millimetric deformation using a terrestrial laser scanner: experiment and application to a rockfall event

Abstract. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is one of the most promising surveying techniques for rockslope characteriza- tion and monitoring. Landslide and rockfall movements can be detected by means of comparison of sequential scans. One of the most pressing challenges of natural hazards is com- bined temporal and spatial prediction of rockfall. An outdoor experiment was performed to ascertain whether the TLS in- strumental error is small enough to enable detection of pre- cursory displacements of millimetric magnitude. This con- sists of a known displacement of three objects relative to a stable surface. Results show that millimetric changes cannot be detected by the analysis of the unprocessed datasets. Dis- placement measurement are improved considerably by ap- plying Nearest Neighbour (NN) averaging, which reduces the error (1σ ) up to a factor of 6. This technique was ap- plied to displacements prior to the April 2007 rockfall event at Castellfollit de la Roca, Spain. The maximum precursory displacement measured was 45 mm, approximately 2.5 times the standard deviation of the model comparison, hampering the distinction between actual displacement and instrumen- tal error using conventional methodologies. Encouragingly, the precursory displacement was clearly detected by apply- ing the NN averaging method. These results show that mil- limetric displacements prior to failure can be detected using TLS.

Evolution of a debris flow channel monitored using a 3D terrestrial laser scanner

Like numerous torrents in mountainous regions, the Illgraben creek (canton of Wallis, SW Switzerland) produces almost every year several debris flows. The total area of the active catchment is only 4.7 km², but large events ranging from 50'000 to 400'000 m³ are common (Zimmermann 2000). Consequently, the pathway of the main channel often changes suddenly. One single event can for instance fill the whole river bed and dig new several-meters-deep channels somewhere else (Bardou et al. 2003). The quantification of both, the rhythm and the magnitude of these changes, is very important to assess the variability of the bed's cross section and long profile. These parameters are indispensable for numerical modelling, as they should be considered as initial conditions. To monitor the channel evolution an Optech ILRIS 3D terrestrial laser scanner (LIDAR) was used. LIDAR permits to make a complete high precision 3D model of the channel and its surroundings by scanning it from different view points. The 3D data are treated and interpreted with the software Polyworks from Innovmetric Software Inc. Sequential 3D models allow for the determination of the variation in the bed's cross section and long profile. These data will afterwards be used to quantify the erosion and the deposition in the torrent reaches. To complete the chronological evolution of the landforms, precise digital terrain models, obtained by high resolution photogrammetry based on old aerial photographs, will be used. A 500 m long section of the Illgraben channel was scanned on 18th of August 2005 and on 7th of April 2006. These two data sets permit identifying the changes of the channel that occurred during the winter season. An upcoming scanning campaign in September 2006 will allow for the determination of the changes during this summer. Preliminary results show huge variations in the pathway of the Illgraben channel, as well as important vertical and lateral erosion of the river bed. Here we present the results of a river bank on the left (north-western) flank of the channel (Figure 1). For the August 2005 model the scans from 3 viewpoints were superposed, whereas the April 2006 3D image was obtained by combining 5 separate scans. The bank was eroded. The bank got eroded essentially on its left part (up to 6.3 m), where it is hit by the river and the debris flows (Figures 2 and 3). A debris cone has also formed (Figure 3), which suggests that a part of the bank erosion is due to shallow landslides. They probably occur when the river erosion creates an undercut slope. These geometrical data allow for the monitoring of the alluvial dynamics (i.e. aggradation and degradation) on different time scales and the influence of debris flows occurrence on these changes. Finally, the resistance against erosion of the bed's cross section and long profile will be analysed to assess the variability of these two key parameters. This information may then be used in debris flow simulation.

Zona verda Barcelona

Implementació d'una aplicació per a dispositius mòbils amb sistema operatiu Android que ha de permetre a l'usuari gravar la posició on deixa el seu vehicle aparcat i que, quan ho necessiti, recuperi la localització del vehicle i dibuixi un mapa amb la ruta a peu fins al cotxe.

Pla de gestió dels senders ecoturístics del la zona d’interès etnològic de les Gavarres

El massís de les Gavarres és un espai que forma part del Pla d’Espais Naturals d’Interès Natural de Catalunya i es caracteritza per ser un espai molt ric en patrimoni cultural, sobretot etnològic. És per això que des de l’entitat del Consorci de les Gavarres sorgeix la proposta d’elaborar un conjunt de senders ecoturístics sobra la Zona d’Interès Etnològic de la Gavarres. L’objectiu principal és impulsar la posta en valor i crear instruments de gestió dels principals elements del patrimoni cultural que es troben presents arreu del massís de les Gavarres, a partir del disseny d’un conjunt de senders ecoturístics que, de manera respectuosa amb el medi ambient, serveixin d’instruments de dinamització i de gestió per a la conservació de l’espai i els seu elements patrimonials.

Projecte d’urbanització d’una zona residencial de 30 hectàrees

L’objectiu del projecte és dissenyar, descriure i calcular les obres bàsiques d’instal•lacions necessàries per poder efectuar una urbanització d’una zona residencial de 30 hectàrees situada al terme municipal de Bescanó, la qual en l’actualitat no disposa del serveis bàsics

Characterization of fecal indicator bacteria in sediments cores from the largest freshwater lake of Western Europe (Lake Geneva, Switzerland)

This study characterized the fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), including Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enteroccocus (ENT), disseminated over time in the Bay of Vidy, which is the most contaminated area of Lake Geneva. Sediments were collected from a site located at similar to 500 m from the present waste water treatment plant (WWTP) outlet pipe, in front of the former WWTP outlet pipe, which was located at only 300 m from the coastal recreational area (before 2001). E. coil and ENT were enumerated in sediment suspension using the membrane filter method. The FIB characterization was performed for human Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) and human specific bacteroides by PCR using specific primers and a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Bacterial cultures revealed that maximum values of 35.2 x 10(8) and 6.6 x 10(6) CFU g(-1) dry sediment for E. coil and ENT, respectively, were found in the sediments deposited following eutrophication of Lake Geneva in the 1970s. whereas the WWTP started operating in 1964. The same tendency was observed for the presence of human fecal pollution: the percentage of PCR amplification with primers ESP-1/ESP-2 for E. faecalis and E. faecium indicated that more than 90% of these bacteria were from human origin. Interestingly, the PCR assays for specific-human bacteroides HF183/HF134 were positive for DNA extracted from all isolated strains of sediment surrounding WWPT outlet pipe discharge. The MALDI-TOF MS confirmed the presence of general E. coli and predominance E. faecium in isolated strains. Our results demonstrated that human fecal bacteria highly increased in the sediments contaminated with WWTP effluent following the eutrophication of Lake Geneva. Additionally, other FIB cultivable strains from animals or adapted environmental strains were detected in the sediment of the bay. The approaches used in this research are valuable to assess the temporal distribution and the source of the human fecal pollution in aquatic environments. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Argon-laser iridoplasty in the management of uveitis-induced acute angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report the use of argon laser iridoplasty in the management of uveitic acute angle-closure glaucoma. METHODS: Interventional case report. RESULTS: A 46-year-old man developed uveitic acute angle-closure glaucoma with an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 65 mmHg. After unsuccessful attempts with medical treatment and two laser peripheral iridotomies, iridoplasty allowed to break posterior synechiae, open the angle, and reduce the IOP within a few hours. CONCLUSIONS: Argon laser iridoplasty allowed rapid reduction of IOP and prevented the need for emergency surgery. Therefore, the authors stipulate that it is a viable management option in active uveitic acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Vascular dysfunction in children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies: underlying mechanisms and future implications.

Epidemiological studies in humans have demonstrated a relationship between pathological events during fetal development and increased cardiovascular risk later in life and have led to the so called "Fetal programming of cardiovascular disease hypothesis". The recent observation of generalised vascular dysfunction in young apparently healthy children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) provides a novel and potentially very important example of this hypothesis. This review summarises recent data in ART children demonstrating premature subclinical atherosclerosis in the systemic circulation and pulmonary vascular dysfunction predisposing to exaggerated hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. These problems appear to be related to the ART procedure per se. Studies in ART mice demonstrating premature vascular aging and arterial hypertension further demonstrate the potential of ART to increase cardiovascular risk and have allowed to unravel epigenetic alterations of the eNOS gene as an underpinning mechanism. The roughly 25% shortening of the life span in ART mice challenged with a western style high-fat-diet demonstrates the potential importance of these alterations for the long-term outcome. Given the young age of the ART population, data on cardiovascular endpoints will not be available before 20 to 30 years from now. However, already now cohort studies of the ART population are needed to early detect cardiovascular alterations with the aim to prevent or at least optimally treat cardiovascular complications. Finally, a debate needs to be engaged on the future of ART and the consequences of its exponential growth for public health.

Anàlisi del sistema productiu i comercial del vi de la Tarraconensis a partir de la combinació de metodologies

Des del segon quart del s. I aC i, especialment, durant el regnat d’August, es va desenvolupar a l’antiga província Tarraconensis un sistema productiu centrat en l’explotació agrària vitivinícola amb una finalitat clarament comercial. La majoria d’assentament vitivinícoles es troben emplaçats al litoral català, associats de vegades a figlinae que fabricaven les àmfores per al transport i comerç de l’excedent vinícola. No obstant, a l’àrea del Vallès Occidental i del Baix Llobregat es troben una sèrie de vil•les vinculades a la producció de vi i a la fabricació d’àmfores que han proporcionat restes molt significatives sobre la contribució d’aquesta zona a l’expansió econòmica de la província. La caracterització arqueològica i arqueomètrica d’un gran nombre d’àmfores procedents de diversos tallers ceràmics situats al Vallès Occidental i al Baix Llobregat, utilitzant diverses tècniques d’anàlisi química, mineralògica i petrogràfica, ha portat a establir quins tipus d’àmfores es van fabricar a cada taller i de quina manera. S’han identificat alguns dels processos tecnològics de la cadena operativa: la selecció i processat de les matèries primeres per conformar la pasta procedents, generalment, de l’àrea on es troba cada centre de producció, el modelatge, l’assecat i la cocció de les peces. En alguns dels casos analitzats, s’ha identificat quins tipus de contenidors van ser importants a l’establiment i la seva provinença. La integració d’aquests resultats en la base de dades analítica que disposa l’ERAAUB ha permès avaluar el grau d’estandardització dels processos tecnològics en aquesta àrea. La contrastació final amb les dades històriques i arqueològiques contribueix al coneixement arqueològic de les àmfores vinàries de la Tarraconensis i, a través d’elles, al coneixement de les societats que les van fabricar, comercialitzar i utilitzar.

Employment and Wages Covered by Unemployment Insurance, Final County Data, Third Quarter, 2003

Third Quarterly County information for Census of Employment & Wages - County

Employment and Wages Covered by Unemployment Insurance, Final Statewide Data, Third Quarter, 2003

Third Quarterly County information for Census of Employment & Wage, Statewide

Employment and Wages Covered by Unemployment Insurance, Final County Data, Fourth Quarter, 2003

Fourth Quarterly County information for Census of Employment & Wage, County

Employment and Wages Covered by Unemployment Insurance, Final Statewide Data, Fourth Quarter, 2003

Fourth Quarterly County information for Census of Employment & Wage, Statewide

Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, Final County Data, First Quarter, 2004

First Quarterly County information for Census of Employment & Wage, County