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Parallel laser photogrammetry (PLP), which consists of attaching two or three parallel laser beams at a known inter‐beam distance to a camera, can be used to collect morphological measurements of organisms noninvasively. The lasers project onto the photo being taken, and because the inter‐beam distance is known, they act as a scale for image analysis programs like ImageJ. Traditionally, this method has been used to measure larger morphological traits (e.g., limb length, crown‐rump length) to serve as proxies for overall body size, whereas applications to smaller anatomical features remain limited. To that end, we used PLP to measure the testes of 18 free‐living mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. We tested whether this method could reliably measure this relatively small and globular morphology, and whether it could detect differences among individuals. We tested reliability in three ways: within‐photo (coefficient of variation [CV] = 4.7%), between‐photo (CV = 5.5%), and interobserver (intraclass correlation = 0.92). We found an average volume of 36.2 cm3 and a range of 16.4–54.4 cm3, indicating variation in testes size between individuals. Furthermore, these sizes are consistent with a previous study that collected measurements by hand, suggesting that PLP is a useful method for making noninvasive measurements of testes. Research Highlights: Testes measurements are a critical data type that can elucidate key questions related to sperm competition and endocrine disruption, and deriving the measurements noninvasively is a great benefit to conservation effortsWe collected and measured photos of 18 individual adult mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) from La Selva, Costa Rica via parallel laser photogrammetryWe used three tests of repeatability to provide evidence that parallel laser photogrammetry can be used to measure the testes of a large‐bodied nonhuman primate noninvasively while being precise and accurate [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the variety of borders that gather and divide our world, such as geographical, temporal, social and psychological, the study highlights that the transit across these borders drives changes and continuities that contribute to human development. The research emphasizes the relevance of reviewing both the individual singularities and the shared aspects of border crossing experiences. The matching of these approaches allows building theoretical models referring to those experiences. Thus, this article aims to review borders crossing as a developmental and abductively generalizable process. Through the analogy between Abductive Generalization and photogrammetry, the study proposes an innovative way of representing these complex experiences. Three ways of border crossing - spatial displacement, imagination and social interactions - are explored in terms of their developmental potential. Using a case study of psychologists in a humanitarian non-governmental organization - NGO, an abductively generalized model is presented highlighting the spatial, cultural and psychological dimensions involved. In addition, the study proposes a three-dimensional helical model of development inspired by photogrammetry, incorporating principles of this technique to improve the understanding on the border crossing process. By recognizing mesogenetic influences, such as institutional and cultural dimensions, the article puts forward an interdisciplinary approach to understand development through border crossing. The models presented may potentially drive future research and interventions in Semiotic Cultural Psychology, enriching the promotion of human development in different border contexts. The study fosters the extension of this work by including several perspectives, methods and paradigms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate calibration of a Stewart platform is important for their precise and efficient operation. However, the calibration of these platforms using forward kinematics is a challenge for researchers because forward kinematics normally generates multiple feasible and unfeasible solutions for any pose of the moving platform. The complex kinematic relations among the six actuator paths connecting the fixed base to the moving platform further compound the difficulty in establishing a straightforward and efficient calibration method. The authors developed a new forward kinematics-based calibration method using Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) convention and used the Stewart platform "Tiger 66.1" developed in their lab for experimenting with the photogrammetry-based calibration strategies described in this paper. This system became operational upon completion of construction, marking its inaugural use. The authors used their calibration model for estimating the errors in the system and adopted three compensation options or strategies as per least-square method to improve the accuracy of the system. These strategies leveraged a high-resolution digital camera and off-the-shelf software to capture the poses of the moving platform's center. This process is non-invasive and does not need any additional equipment to be attached to the hexapod or any alteration of the hexapod hardware. This photogrammetry-based calibration process involves multiple high-resolution images from different angles to measure the position and orientation of the platform center in the three-dimensional space. The target poses and actual poses are then compared, and the error compensations are estimated using the least-square methods to calculate the predicted poses. Results from each of the three compensation approaches demonstrated noticeable enhancements in platform pose accuracies, suggesting room for further improvements. Given that "Tiger 66.1" is based on the general Stewart platform structure, the proposed calibration method holds promise for extension to machines operating on similar principles where non-invasive calibration is desirable. This study contributes to advancing the field of Stewart platform calibration, paving the way for more precise and efficient applications in various domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents geometric analyses of welded frames after free relaxing and vibratory stress relief (VSR). The tested frames were components of a prototype packaging machine. Two types of relaxation were carried out to remove stresses introduced as a result of the welding process. One of the frames was subjected to free relaxation, while the other one was subjected to accelerated vibration relaxation. Detection of the frame geometry changes was performed using a photogrammetric system. In addition, an evaluation of the geometry change was conducted for fifteen variants of a steel frame support. A comparative analysis of the geometric deviations of the frames after free and vibratory stress relief confirmed the assumption that the frame post vibration stress relief better reproduces the nominal dimensions. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized that after vibratory stress relief, the frame is not subject to further deformation, which is a desirable effect. In the case of free relaxing, the frame undergoes dimensional changes in a random manner. In summary, carrying out accelerated vibratory stress relief allows for control of spontaneous dimensional changes in the designed frame of a packaging machine resulting from spontaneous relaxation of stresses arising from the welding process. The shortening of the relaxation process of the welded frame is also an unquestionable advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-invasive techniques, such as close-range photogrammetry (CRP) and 3D ultrasonic tomography complemented with optical and scanning electron microscopy and mercury porosimetry, were applied to characterize the carbonate rock samples of the Calcari di Cagliari formation. The integrated approach started with the computation of high-resolution 3D models of the carbonate samples using the CRP technique to produce 3D high-resolution models texturized both with natural colors and intensity. Starting from the 3D models from previous techniques, a 3D ultrasonic tomography on each rock sample was accurately planned and carried out in order to detect the elastic properties of such rocks and relate them to textural heterogeneity or internal defects. The results indicate that the relationship between longitudinal velocity and rock properties is complex even in the same carbonate formation. Understanding the relationship between the geomatic and geophysical responses in the investigated rock properties, such as textural characteristics and especially structure and geometry of pores, type of pores, tortuosity and cementing material, is important for many practical applications and especially in the diagnostic process of the conservation state of monumental structures. The integration of the above non-invasive techniques complemented by petrographical–petrophysical data proved to be a powerful method to associate each lithotype with a different susceptibility to degradation. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that the proposed integrated use of complementary methodologies would guarantee the reproducibility of the measurements both at the laboratory and field scale for the monitoring in time of the rock condition while giving a useful contribution in making decisions on an appropriate remedial strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megalithism in Sardinia (Italy) had its highest expression during the Bronze Age with the creation of monumental complexes known as Nuraghes. These unique monuments have recently been the subject of in-depth investigations for their potential to be recognized as World Heritage Sites (by UNESCO). The main purpose of our research was to make a contribution to obtain a more in-depth characterization of these monuments by testing a 3D model of a complex Nuraghe, integrated with an analysis of the geolithological context. This work first focused on the geological and typological investigation of the materials used in its construction, which was then compared with the geolithological characteristics of the region. A survey of the outcropping remains was carried out by means of Structure-from-Motion Multi-View Stereo (SfM-MVS) photogrammetry with UAV ground and aerial acquisition using APS-C photo sensors, georeferenced with an RTK-GNSS ground survey. The level of accuracy of our digital models shows the potential of the proposed method, giving accurate and geometrically consistent 3D reconstructions in terms of georeferencing error, shape and surface. The survey method allows for the virtualization of the current state of conservation of the Nuraghe, giving a solid basis to set up further (future) archaeological excavations and to contribute to knowledge on the architecture of the structures. This study also provides useful information on the nature and origin of the construction materials and proposes a hypothesis on the original dimensions of the monument, which is often a topic of debate in the world of archaeology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied an interdisciplinary approach to analyze the late Quaternary activity of the Sava Fault in the Slovenian Southern Alps. The Sava Fault is an active strike-slip fault, and part of the Periadriatic Fault System that accommodated the convergence of Adria and Europe. It is one of the longest faults in the Southern Alps. Using high-resolution digital elevation models from lidar and photogrammetric surveys, we were able to overcome the challenges of assessing fault activity in a region with intense surface processes, dense vegetation, and relatively low fault slip rates. By integrating remote sensing analysis, geomorphological mapping, structural geological investigations, and near-surface geophysics (electrical resistivity tomography and ground penetrating radar), we were able to find subtle geomorphological indicators, detect near-surface deformation, and show distributed surface deformation and a complex fault pattern. Using optically stimulated luminescence dating, we tentatively estimated a slip rate of 1.8 ± 0.4 mm/a for the last 27 ka, which exceeds previous estimates and suggests temporal variability in fault behavior. Our study highlights the importance of modern high-resolution remote sensing techniques and interdisciplinary approaches in detecting tectonic deformation in relatively low-strain rate environments with intense surface processes. We show that slip rates can vary significantly depending on the studied time window. This is a critical piece of information since slip rates are a key input parameter for seismic hazard studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of the optimal methodology for the 3D geometric documentation of cultural heritage is a subject of high concern in contemporary scientific research. As a matter of fact, it requires a multi-source data acquisition process and the fusion of datasets from different sensors. This paper aims to demonstrate the workflow for the proper implementation and integration of geodetic, photogrammetric and laser scanning techniques so that high-quality photorealistic 3D models and other documentation products can be generated for a complicated, large-dimensional architectural monument and its surroundings. As a case study, we present the monitoring of the Mehmet Bey Mosque, which is a landmark in the city of Serres and a significant remaining sample of the Ottoman architecture in Greece. The surveying campaign was conducted in the context of the 2022–2023 annual workshop of the Interdepartmental Program of Postgraduate Studies "Protection Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Monuments" of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and it served as a geometric background for interdisciplinary cooperation and decision-making on the monument restoration process. The results of our study encourage the fusion of terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetric datasets for the 3D modeling of the mosque, as they supplement each other as regards geometry and texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality–based learning of neuroanatomy is a new feasible method to explore, visualize, and dissect interactively complex anatomic regions. We provide a new interactive photorealistic three-dimensional (3D) model of sellar region microsurgical anatomy that allows side-by-side views of exocranial and endocranial surfaces to be explored, with the aim of assisting young neurosurgery residents in learning microsurgical anatomy of this complex region. Four head specimens underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach extended to the anterior and posterior skull base to expose the main bony anatomic landmarks of the sellar region. The same bony structures were exposed from a transcranial perspective. By using a photogrammetry method, multiple photographs from both endocranial and exocranial perspectives, different for angulations and depth, were captured, fused, and processed through dedicated software. All relevant bony structures were clearly distinguishable in the 3D model reconstruction, which provides several benefits in neuroanatomy learning: first, it replicates bony structures with high degrees of realism, accuracy, and fidelity; in addition, it provides realistic spatial perception of the depth of the visualized structures and their anatomic relationships; again, the 3D model is interactive and allows a 360° self-guided tour of the reconstructed object, so that the learner can read the bones and their anatomic relationship from all desired points of view. Detailed knowledge of key surgical landmarks representing keyholes and/or anatomic structures to not violate is mandatory for safer surgery, especially for a complex region such as the skull base. Highly accurate virtual and functional neurosurgical models, such as photogrammetry, can generate a realistic appearance to further improve surgical simulators and learn neuroanatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large‐scale disturbances, such as megafires, motivate restoration at equally large extents. Measuring the survival and growth of individual plants plays a key role in current efforts to monitor restoration success. However, the scale of modern restoration (e.g., >10,000 ha) challenges measurements of demographic rates with field data. In this study, we demonstrate how unoccupied aerial system (UAS) flights can provide an efficient solution to the tradeoff of precision and spatial extent in detecting demographic rates from the air. We flew two, sequential UAS flights at two sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) common gardens to measure the survival and growth of individual plants. The accuracy of Bayesian‐optimized segmentation of individual shrub canopies was high (73–95%, depending on the year and site), and remotely sensed survival estimates were within 10% of ground‐truthed survival censuses. Stand age structure affected remotely sensed estimates of growth; growth was overestimated relative to field‐based estimates by 57% in the first garden with older stands, but agreement was high in the second garden with younger stands. Further, younger stands (similar to those just after disturbance) with shorter, smaller plants were sometimes confused with other shrub species and bunchgrasses, demonstrating a need for integrating spectral classification approaches that are increasingly available on affordable UAS platforms. The older stand had several merged canopies, which led to an underestimation of abundance but did not bias remotely sensed survival estimates. Advances in segmentation and UAS structure from motion photogrammetry will enable demographic rate measurements at management‐relevant extents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the trueness and precision of complete arch implant impressions using conventional impression, intraoral scanning with and without splinting, and stereophotogrammetry. Materials and Methods: An edentulous model with six implants was used in this study. Four implant impression techniques were compared: the conventional impression (CI), intraoral scanning (IOS) without splinting, intraoral scanning with splinting (MIOS), and stereophotogrammetry (SPG). An industrial blue light scanner was used to generate the baseline scan from the model. The CI was captured with a laboratory scanner. The reference best‐fit method was then applied in the computer‐aided design (CAD) software to compute the three‐dimensional, angular, and linear discrepancies among the four impression techniques. The root mean square (RMS) 3D discrepancies in trueness and precision between the four impression groups were analyzed with a Kruskal–Wallis test. Trueness and precision between single analogs were assessed using generalized estimating equations. Results: Significant differences in the overall trueness (p =.017) and precision (p <.001) were observed across four impression groups. The SPG group exhibited significantly smaller RMS 3D deviations than the CI, IOS, and MIOS groups (p <.05), with no significant difference detected among the latter three groups (p >.05). Conclusions: Stereophotogrammetry showed superior trueness and precision, meeting misfit thresholds for implant‐supported complete arch prostheses. Intraoral scanning, while accurate like conventional impressions, exhibited cross‐arch angular and linear deviations. Adding a splint to the scan body did not improve intraoral scanning accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many decades, marine ecologists have used the point-intercept method to estimate the percentage cover of organisms on topographically complex benthic substrata (i.e., hardbottom reefs), whether applied directly in the field or to photographs. A recent Method article in this journal (Lesser et al., Mar Biol, 2023) claimed that this method is flawed when applied to photographs if the images are not orthorectified. This claim is factually incorrect, and the article is fundamentally in error. The article misuses the terms "orthorectification" and "orthorectified" and does not provide a method for orthorectification of single-shot photographs of complex substrata, nor does it provide a clear definition of orthogonal when applied to complex benthic substrata. More importantly, the point-intercept method does not require orthorectification to generate abundance estimates that are quantitative and valid. When using the point-intercept method, higher accuracy of estimates of benthic abundance is dependent on greater replication. Reanalysis of mesophotic reef photographs by Lesser et al. (2023) resulted in a > 90% reduction in replication because useful images were rejected erroneously. Area-based metrics (biomass, density, size, etc.) of complex reef substrata can be done accurately with 3D photogrammetry using multiple images of the same subject area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boersch-Supan et al. (Natural body size variation in seabirds provides a fundamental challenge for flight height determination by single-camera photogrammetry. A comment on Humphries et al. 2023, 2024) raise three main criticisms regarding Humphries et al.'s (Mar Biol 170:18, 2023) study, which aims to estimate the flight heights of seabirds from digital aerial video images using single-camera photogrammetry. The two key criticisms raised around error propagation and distortion of flight height distributions (FHDs) have provided helpful feedback on the initial approach in Humphries et al. (Humphries et al., Mar Biol 170:18, 2023) and have led to improvements via a modified flight height model coupled with estimates focused on average survey-level flight height. The data collection methodology remains unchanged, but the statistical approach has been updated: the method now compares bird length estimates with a species database of known surface flight heights, to give bootstrapped estimates of the mean FHD. These are combined with appropriately modified probability distribution models to provide simulated FHDs. We show that this approach produces improved collision risk estimates across a range of simulated and real survey data, particularly LiDAR validation data (criticism three), which provides valuable insight for offshore wind developments. We highlight future areas of development and would welcome further input from Boersch-Supan et al. to help refine these processes as they continue to evolve and improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Road networks are essential elements of a community's infrastructure and need regular inspection. Present practice requires traffic interruptions and safety risks for inspectors. The road detection system based on vehicle-mounted lasers is also quite mature, offering advantages such as high-precision defect detection, high automation, and fast detection speed. However, it does have drawbacks such as high equipment procurement and maintenance costs, limited flexibility, and insufficient coverage range. Therefore, this paper proposes a low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based alternative using imagery for automatic road pavement inspection focusing on pothole detection and classification. A slicing-based method, entitled the Pavement Pothole Detection Algorithm, is applied to the imagery after it is converted into a three-dimensional point cloud. When compared with manually extracted results, the proposed UAV-structure-from-motion (SfM) method and the associated algorithm achieved 0.01 m level accuracy for pothole depth detection and maximum errors of 0.0053 m3 in volume evaluation for cases studies of both a road and a bridge deck. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry allows the generation of orthophoto and digital surface model (DSM) rasters of terrain. However, DSMs of water bodies mapped using this technique often reveal distortions in the water surface, thereby impeding the accurate sampling of water surface elevation (WSE) from DSMs. This study investigates the capability of deep neural networks to accommodate the aforementioned perturbations and effectively estimate WSE from photogrammetric rasters. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were employed for this purpose. Two regression approaches utilizing CNNs were explored: direct regression employing an encoder and a solution based on prediction of the weight mask by an autoencoder architecture, subsequently used to sample values from the photogrammetric DSM. The dataset employed in this study comprises data collected from five case studies of small lowland streams in Poland and Denmark, consisting of 322 DSM and orthophoto raster samples. A grid search was employed to identify the optimal combination of encoder, mask generation architecture, and batch size among multiple candidates. Solutions were evaluated using two cross-validation methods: stratified k-fold cross-validation, where validation subsets maintained the same proportion of samples from all case studies, and leave-one-case-out cross-validation, where the validation dataset originates entirely from a single case study, and the training set consists of samples from other case studies. Depending on the case study and the level of validation strictness, the proposed solution achieved a root mean square error (RMSE) ranging between 2 cm and 16 cm. The proposed method outperforms methods based on the straightforward sampling of photogrammetric DSM, achieving, on average, an 84% lower RMSE for stratified cross-validation and a 62% lower RMSE for all-in-case-out cross-validation. By utilizing data from other research, the proposed solution was compared on the same case study with other UAV-based methods. For that benchmark case study, the proposed solution achieved an RMSE score of 5.9 cm for all-in-case-out cross-validation and 3.5 cm for stratified cross-validation, which is close to the result achieved by the radar-based method (RMSE of 3 cm), which is considered the most accurate method available. The proposed solution is characterized by a high degree of explainability and generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances built into recent sUASs (drones) offer a compelling possibility for field-based data collection in logistically challenging and GPS-denied environments. sUASs-based photogrammetry generates 3D models of features and landscapes, used extensively in archaeology as well as other field sciences. Until recently, navigation has been limited by the expertise of the pilot, as objects, like trees, and vertical or complex environments, such as cliffs, create significant risks to successful documentation. This article assesses sUASs' capability for autonomous obstacle avoidance and 3D flight planning using data collection scenarios carried out in Black Mesa, Oklahoma. Imagery processed using commercial software confirmed that the collected data can build photogrammetric models suitable for general archaeological documentation. The results demonstrate that new capabilities in drones may open up new field environments previously considered inaccessible, too risky, or costly for fieldwork, especially for all but the most expert pilots. Emerging technologies for drone-based photogrammetry, such as the Skydio 2+ considered here, place remote, rugged terrain within reach of many archaeological research units in terms of commercial options and cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explores the possibility of automating the aerial survey of bridges to generate high-resolution images necessary for digital damage inspection. High-quality unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based 3D reconstruction of bridges is an important step towards autonomous infrastructure inspection. However, the calculation of optimal camera poses remains challenging due to the complex structure of bridges and is therefore often conducted manually. This process is time-consuming and can lead to quality losses. Research in this field to automate this process is yet sparse and often requires high informative models of the bridge as the base for calculations, which are not given widely. Therefore, this paper proposes an automated camera pose calculation method solely based on an easily accessible polygon mesh of the bridge. For safe operation, point cloud data of the environment are used for automated ground detection and obstacle avoidance including vegetation. First, an initial set of camera poses is generated based on a voxelized mesh created in respect to the quality requirements for 3D reconstruction using defined camera specification. Thereafter, camera poses not fulfilling safety distances are removed and specific camera poses are added to increase local coverage quality. Evaluations of three bridges show that for diverse bridge types, near-complete coverage was achieved. Due to the low computational effort of the voxel approach, the runtime was kept to a minimum, even for large bridges. The subsequent algorithm is able to find alternative camera poses even in areas where the optimal pose could not be placed due to obstacles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geomorphological impact of base-level lowering on ephemeral alluvial streams has been extensively investigated through fieldwork, experimentation, and modeling. Yet, the understanding of hydrological parameters governing the dynamics of the stream's geometry during discrete flood events is lacking due to limited direct measurements of flood-scale erosion/deposition. The emergence of novel remote sensing methods allows for quantifying morphological modifications caused by floods in alluvial streams. This study utilizes drone surveys and hydrological data to quantitatively investigate the relation between channel evolution in alluvial tributaries draining to the receding Dead Sea and the hydrological characteristics of flash floods. Drone-based photogrammetric surveys were conducted before and after 25 floods, over a period of four years, to generate centimeter-scale Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and orthophoto maps of two major streams. The outcomes of these DEMs are maps of ground elevation changes (erosion/deposition), thalweg longitudinal profiles, and channel cross sections, revealing the incision/aggradation along and across the streams. Statistical comparison of results with flow hydrographs identified potential relations linking the hydrological characteristics of each flood and the corresponding geomorphological modifications. Peak discharge emerged as the primary factor influencing sediment removal, leading to more efficient sediment evacuation and a negative sediment budget with increased discharge. Water volumes of floods also exhibited a secondary effect on the sediment budget. The chronological order of floods, whether first or later in the season, was identified as the primary factor determining incision magnitude. Knickpoints formed at the streams' outlets during the dry period, when lake-level drops, amplifying the impact of the first flood. These findings have potential implications for infrastructure planning and environmental management in the context of climate change and altered water runoff. The research highlights the efficiency of drone-based photogrammetry for cost-effective and timely data collection, providing invaluable flexibility for field research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective disaster debris management requires reasonable predictions pre-hazard and estimates post-hazard of debris for a community to get back to normal sooner. However, there is a lack of data related to post-disaster waste quantities that could validate and improve debris predictions. This knowledge gap can be addressed by using remote sensing technology to quantify disaster debris promptly following a hazard. This study aimed to demonstrate and compare multiple remote sensing tools available for quantifying disaster debris using post-disaster data collected following Hurricane Ida. The tools used in this study are satellite imagery, emergency response airborne imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). We found that satellite imagery is useful for quantifying vegetative debris generation and transportation across vast areas, however it is often limited by spatial and temporal resolutions. Emergency response airborne imagery, collected within days following the hazard, is well-suited for quantifying transported vegetative debris and can assist debris clearance of emergency service routes across large areas, although it can be limited spatially and temporally to the interests of the acquiring agency. UAVs and TLS can provide precise volumes of debris but UAVs may be a better option due to their lower cost and computational demand. Guidance is provided for selecting a remote sensing tool based on the desired application and available resources, which can assist decision making for disaster waste managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within this paper, a case study on the application of drone photogrammetry at the Second World War armament bunker Weingut I is presented. The aim of the project was the mapping of the preserved remains in advance to the installation of a memorial site. In particular, the preserved concrete arch and one of the ventilation shafts were mapped by this method in high quality. Therefore, even small details of the building structure as well as several damage spots needing remediation became visible. One important advantage of drone prospecting is an enhanced occupational safety and a cost and time reduction as no further manual resources are necessary. In areas without finalized clearing for Unexploded Ordnance, other manual survey method would be especially dangerous. By comparing the photogrammetric model of the bunker Weingut I with corresponding ALS Digital Surface Models (DSM) of varying resolution, the increase in information is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3D digital reproduction of panel paintings is an efficient practice through which to document their state of conservation thanks to the ability to study artwork both at the microscopic level, visualising the craquelure and the detachments of pictorial layers, and at the macroscopic level, analysing support structures and their deformations. In recent years, research has focused on new methodologies to handle multiple 3D scans acquired over time and to achieve data fusion to obtain multi-resolution products. In this paper, we present the results of the acquisition of the central panel of an earthquake-damaged triptych using two different 3D techniques (close-range photogrammetry and structured light) before and after its restoration to carry out a multi-temporal analysis of the conservation status and document the effects of the restoration. Furthermore, we performed laser scanning micro-profilometry on a small area of the painting to study the artist's technique and identify previous restorations. Finally, we merged the two 3D datasets (obtained by structured-light projection and micro-profilometry) to produce a multi-resolution 3D model with the aim of increasing the accuracy and readability of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic realm of digital twin modeling, where advancements are swiftly unfolding, users now possess the unprecedented ability to capture and generate geospatial data in real time. This article delves into a critical exploration of this landscape by presenting a meticulously devised workflow tailored for the creation of Level of Detail 3 (LOD3) models. Our research methodology capitalizes on the integration of Apple LiDAR technology alongside photogrammetric point clouds acquired from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The proposed process unfolds with the transformation of point cloud data into Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) models, which are subsequently refined into LOD3 Geographic Information System (GIS) models leveraging the Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) workbench 2022.1.2. This orchestrated synergy among Apple LiDAR, UAV-derived photogrammetric point clouds, and the transformative capabilities of the FME culminates in the development of precise LOD3 GIS models. Our proposed workflow revolutionizes this landscape by integrating multi-source point clouds, imbuing them with accurate semantics derived from IFC models, and culminating in the creation of valid CityGML LOD3 buildings through sophisticated 3D geometric operations. The implications of this technical innovation are profound. Firstly, it elevates the capacity to produce intricate infrastructure models, unlocking new vistas for modeling digital twins. Secondly, it extends the horizons of GIS applications by seamlessly integrating enriched Building Information Modeling (BIM) components, thereby enhancing decision-making processes and facilitating more comprehensive spatial analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual impact is defined as the modification of a visual resource of the landscape, generating an effect on the perception of potential observers. This effect is evaluated using the value of the landscape that has not been altered or destroyed (visual quality of the landscape), as is the case with building projects that generate visible changes in residential areas. Numerous authors have developed methodologies to evaluate visual intrusion; however, deficiencies exist, such as the predominance of subjectivity in procedures and the lack of evaluations for buildings. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology to evaluate and quantify the visual impact of a new building in a high population density environment. This research is divided into a description of the basic methodology, the proposal of the methodology to capture and process photographs and information, and the application of a case study of a high-rise building in a sector of Valparaíso, Chile. The main contribution of this work is the delivery of a methodological proposal that allows the evaluation and quantification of the visual quality before and after the new structure to complement structural and urban design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During new Austrian tunnelling method excavation, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the compliance of the actual surfaces with the theoretical lines prescribed in the support types for each tunnel excavation step. With our own software solutions, we created point clouds of the excavation and shotcrete of the primary tunnel support through the automated process of photogrammetric data. Together with the tunnel axis and theoretical profiles, the georeferenced and filtered point clouds were then used in the analysis of the deviation from the theoretical lines of excavation and primary support shotcrete and shotcrete thickness. The final products of the independent analysis are deviation profiles and unwrapped extrados views with numerical results and a color legend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multimodal sensors capture and integrate diverse characteristics of a scene to maximize information gain. In optics, this may involve capturing intensity in specific spectra or polarization states to determine factors such as material properties or an individual's health conditions. Combining multimodal camera data with shape data from 3D sensors is a challenging issue. Multimodal cameras, e.g., hyperspectral cameras, or cameras outside the visible light spectrum, e.g., thermal cameras, lack strongly in terms of resolution and image quality compared with state-of-the-art photo cameras. In this article, a new method is demonstrated to superimpose multimodal image data onto a 3D model created by multi-view photogrammetry. While a high-resolution photo camera captures a set of images from varying view angles to reconstruct a detailed 3D model of the scene, low-resolution multimodal camera(s) simultaneously record the scene. All cameras are pre-calibrated and rigidly mounted on a rig, i.e., their imaging properties and relative positions are known. The method was realized in a laboratory setup consisting of a professional photo camera, a thermal camera, and a 12-channel multispectral camera. In our experiments, an accuracy better than one pixel was achieved for the data fusion using multimodal superimposition. Finally, application examples of multimodal 3D digitization are demonstrated, and further steps to system realization are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancements in non-ionizing methods for quantifying spinal deformities are crucial for assessing and monitoring scoliosis. In this study, we analyzed the observer variability of a newly developed digital tool for quantifying body asymmetry from clinical photographs. Methods: Prospective observational multicenter study. Initially, a digital tool was developed using image analysis software, calculating quantitative measures of body asymmetry. This tool was integrated into an online platform that exports data to a database. The tool calculated 10 parameters, including angles (shoulder height, axilla height, waist height, right and left waistline angles, and their difference) and surfaces of the left and right hemitrunks (shoulders, waists, pelvises, and total). Subsequently, an online training course on the tool was conducted for twelve observers not involved in its development (six research coordinators and six spine surgeons). Finally, 15 standardized back photographs of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients were selected from a multicenter image bank, representing various clinical scenarios (different age, gender, curve type, BMI, and pre- and postoperative images). The 12 observers measured the photographs at two different times with a three-week interval. For the second round, the images were randomly mixed. Inter- and intra-observer variabilities of the measurements were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and reliability was measured by the standard error of measurement (SEM). Group comparisons were made using Student's t-test. Results: The mean inter-observer ICC for the ten measurements was 0.981, the mean intra-observer ICC was 0.937, and SEM was 0.3–1.3°. The parameter with the strongest inter- and intra-observer validity was the difference in waistline angles 0.994 and 0.974, respectively, while the highest variability was found with the waist height angle 0.963 and 0.845, respectively. No test–retest differences (p > 0.05) were observed between researchers (0.948 ± 0.04) and surgeons (0.925 ± 0.05). Conclusion: We developed a new digital tool integrated into an online platform demonstrating excellent reliability and inter- and intra-observer variabilities for quantifying body asymmetry in scoliosis patients from a simple clinical photograph. The method could be used for assessing and monitoring scoliosis and body asymmetry without radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Change detection methods for measuring deformation of the LNG storage tank's exterior wall cannot meet the requirements for extensive and comprehensive deformation analysis. The method proposed in this paper uses multi‐source spatial data to detect the deformation of the LNG storage tank's exterior wall. Exterior wall data collected simultaneously by terrestrial and airborne laser scanners, as well as close‐range and oblique photogrammetry, are pre‐processed separately and then registered to the global point clouds. The deformation state of exterior wall is represented by a thorough assessment approach that takes into account four change indices. The results suggest that the registration precision of global point clouds is 6 mm. The global ovality of the LNG storage tank is 0.053%, with a tilt change of 2.58° and a deviation of 27 mm in the direction of the azimuth of 321.98°, an average value of 0.07 mm for depression and protrusion deformation, and a surface flatness of 21.3 mm. In this case, the flatness is greater than the variation threshold of the standard specification, indicating that the tank may have structural uneven settlement or other deformation problems. The attraction of the proposed method resides in its capacity to efficiently and accurately obtain spatial positioning and color information of the LNG storage tank's exterior wall, thereby providing a robust foundation for precise judgments regarding the deformation state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precontact culture of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) produced wooden figurines carved with attention to detail and featuring careful surface polishing. These figurines depict humans and akuaku spirits. Male figurines usually have bald heads adorned with elaborate designs carved in low relief, depicting human beings, fishes, birds, chimerical creatures, or material objects of Rapanui culture. As cranial carvings swirl around the head of the figurine, it is impossible to document them fully with a single photograph. Several publications show cranial carvings in free‐hand drawing. In this study, we suggest a methodology for design unwrapping from nearly hemispherical surface, projecting it onto a plane in a uniform and replicable fashion. To do so, we employ 3D models of figurines' heads obtained with photogrammetric modeling. Although this approach features certain limitations, it permits far richer level of detail and documentation accuracy in comparison to commonly used free‐hand drawings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We combined datasets from multiple research projects and remote sensing technologies to evaluate conservation conditions at La Fortaleza de Kuelap, a pre-Hispanic site in Peru that suffered significant damage under heavy seasonal rains in April 2022. To identify the causes of the collapse and where the monument is at further risk, we modeled surface hydrology using a DTM derived from drone LiDAR data, reconstructed a history of collapses, and calculated the volume of the most recent by fusing terrestrial LiDAR and photogrammetric datasets. In addition, we examined subsurface water accumulation with electrical resistivity, reconstructed the stratification of the monument with seismic refraction, and analyzed vegetation loss and ground moisture accumulation using satellite imagery. Our results point to rainwater infiltration as the most significant source of risk for La Fortaleza's perimeter walls. Combined with other adverse natural conditions and contemporary conservation interventions, this led to the 2022 collapse. Specialists need to consider these factors when tasked with conserving monuments located in comparable high-altitude perhumid environments. This integration of analytical results demonstrates how multi-scalar and multi-instrumental approaches provide comprehensive and timely assessments of conservation needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study proposes a preliminary analysis method for rock mass joint acquisition, analysis, and slope stability assessment based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry to extract the joint surface attitude in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The method effectively solves the difficulties associated with the above issues. By combining terrain-following photogrammetry (TFP) and perpendicular and slope surface photogrammetry (PSSP), the three-dimensional (3D) information can be efficiently obtained along the slope characteristics' surface, which avoids the information loss involved in traditional single-lens aerial photography and the information redundancy of the five-eye aerial photography. Then, a semi-automatic geoprocessing tool was developed within the ArcGIS Pro 3.0 environment, using Python for the extraction of joint surfaces. Multi-point fitting was used to calculate the joint surface attitude. The corresponding attitude symbols are generated at the same time. Finally, the joint surface attitude information is used to perform stereographic projection and kinematic analysis. The former can determine the dominant joint group, and the latter can obtain the probability of four types of failure, including planar sliding, wedge sliding, flexural toppling, and direct toppling. The integrated stability evaluation method studied in this paper, which combines a 3D interpretation of UAV and GIS stereographic projection statistical analysis, has the advantages of being efficient and user-friendly, and requires minimal prior knowledge. The results can aid in the geological surveys of slopes and guide engineering practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of trees has always been a key task in precision forestry management and research. Due to the complex branch morphological structure of trees themselves and the occlusions from tree stems, branches and foliage, it is difficult to recreate a complete three-dimensional tree model from a two-dimensional image by conventional photogrammetric methods. In this study, based on tree images collected by various cameras in different ways, the Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) method was used for individual tree dense reconstruction and the exported point cloud models are compared with point clouds derived from photogrammetric reconstruction and laser scanning methods. The results show that the NeRF method performs well in individual tree 3D reconstruction, as it has a higher successful reconstruction rate, better reconstruction in the canopy area and requires less images as input. Compared with the photogrammetric dense reconstruction method, NeRF has significant advantages in reconstruction efficiency and is adaptable to complex scenes, but the generated point cloud tend to be noisy and of low resolution. The accuracy of tree structural parameters (tree height and diameter at breast height) extracted from the photogrammetric point cloud is still higher than those derived from the NeRF point cloud. The results of this study illustrate the great potential of the NeRF method for individual tree reconstruction, and it provides new ideas and research directions for 3D reconstruction and visualization of complex forest scenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of hailstone diameters and kinetic energy, collected by the Swiss network of automatic hail sensors, are available in three regions of Switzerland for the period between September 2018 and August 2023. In this study, we propose the use of double moment normalization for modeling the hail size number distribution (HSND), which is defined as the number of hailstone impacts measured, for each diameter size, by one instrument during one hail event. This method uses two of the empirical moments of the HSND to compute a normalized distribution. While the HSND is dependent on the duration and intensity of the event and on the detection area of the sensor, we show that the normalized distribution has limited variability across the three geographical regions of deployment of the sensors. Thanks to its invariance in space and time, a generalized gamma is used to model the normalized distribution, and its parameters have been determined through a fit over approximately 70 % of the events. The fitted model and the previously chosen pair of empirical moments can be used to reconstruct the HSND at any location in Switzerland. The accuracy of the reconstruction has been estimated over the remaining 30 % of the dataset. An additional evaluation has been performed on an independent HSND, made of estimates of hail diameters measured by drone photogrammetry during a single event. This HSND has a much larger number of hailstone impacts (18000) than those of the hail sensor events (from 30 to 400). The double moment normalization is able to reproduce well the HSND recorded by the hail sensors and the drone, albeit with an underestimation of the number of impacts at small diameters. These results highlight the invariance of the normalized distribution and the adaptability of the method to different data sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), as a crucial component that impacts atmospheric chemistry and ecological interactions with various organisms, play a significant role in the atmosphere-ecosystem relationship. However, traditional field observation methods are challenging to accurately estimate BVOCs emissions in forest ecosystems with high biodiversity, leading to significant uncertainty in quantifying these compounds. To address this issue, this research proposes a workflow utilizing drone-mounted lidar and photogrammetry technologies for identifying plant species to obtain accurate BVOCs emissions data. By applying this workflow to a typical subtropical forest plot, the following findings were made: The drone-mounted lidar and photogrammetry modules effectively segmented trees and acquired single wood structures and images of each tree. Image recognition technology enabled relatively accurate identification of tree species, with the highest frequency family being Euphorbiaceae. The largest cumulative isoprene emissions in the study plot were from the Myrtaceae family while monoterpenes were from the Rubiaceae family. To fully leverage the estimation results of BVOCs emissions directly from individual tree levels, it may be necessary for communities to establish more comprehensive tree species emission databases and models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a photogrammetric model and new line drawing of Sacul Stela 3 at the ancient Maya site of Sacul 1, Guatemala. Although virtually illegible in person and from photographs, the inscription on the eroded stela can largely be read or reconstructed in the 3D model. Our reading confirms a previous argument that the kingdom based at Sacul 1 was attacked in A.D. 779 by forces from the site of Ucanal. Traveling by night, warriors from Sacul retaliated with a raid at dawn next day on an unidentified site and, months later, followed up with an attack on Ucanal itself. The same narrative appears substantially on a well-known monument, Ixkun Stela 2, but there are differences between the two texts which suggest that Sacul and Ixkun had their own sculptors and record-keepers and which offer insights into the implications of verbs (pul, "to burn" and ch'ak , "to chop") commonly attested in Classic Maya accounts of war. We then present the results of GIS analysis which suggests that the site area of El Rosario (between Sacul 1 and Ucanal) is an appealing candidate for the unidentified site mentioned in the stela text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background With the advent of cranial orthoses as therapeutic medical devices for the treatment of severe positional head deformities in Japan, an increasing number of patients are being treated with them. However, assessing the effectiveness of a treatment is often difficult due to the use of different metrics. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cranial orthoses for deformational plagiocephaly using two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) evaluation metrics. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of infant patients with deformational plagiocephaly who underwent cranial orthosis treatment. We evaluated the severity of deformational plagiocephaly using cranial asymmetry (CA) and the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) as 2D metrics, and anterior and posterior symmetry ratios as 3D metrics. The patients were divided into 24 subgroups based on the initial severity of each outcome and their age at the start of treatment. We analyzed the changes in outcomes and correlations within improvements across the age and severity categories. Results Overall, 1,038 infants were included in this study. The mean CA, CVAI, and anterior and posterior symmetry ratios improved significantly after cranial orthosis treatment. The improvement in each score was greater in patients with more severe initial deformities and in those who underwent treatment at a younger age. Conclusion Cranial orthosis treatment was effective in correcting deformational plagiocephaly in infants, as demonstrated by improvements in both 2D and 3D metrics. Patients with more severe initial deformities and those who underwent treatment at a younger age showed greater improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of preserved museum specimens is transforming and increasing by three-dimensional (3D) imaging that creates high-fidelity online digital specimens. Through examples from the openVertebrate (oVert) Thematic Collections Network, we describe how we created a digitization community dedicated to the shared vision of making 3D data of specimens available and the impact of these data on a broad audience of scientists, students, teachers, artists, and more. High-fidelity digital 3D models allow people from multiple communities to simultaneously access and use scientific specimens. Based on our multiyear, multi-institution project, we identify significant technological and social hurdles that remain for fully realizing the potential impact of digital 3D specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are a vital source of food, fuel, and medicine and play a crucial role in climate change mitigation. Strategic and policy decisions on forest management and conservation require accurate and up-to-date information on available forest resources. Forest inventory data such as tree parameters, heights, and crown diameters must be collected and analysed to monitor forests effectively. Traditional manual techniques are slow and labour-intensive, requiring additional personnel, while existing non-contact methods are costly, computationally intensive, or less accurate. Kenya plans to increase its forest cover to 30% by 2032 and establish a national forest monitoring system. Building capacity in forest monitoring through innovative field data collection technologies is encouraged to match the pace of increase in forest cover. This study explored the applicability of low-cost, non-contact tree inventory based on stereoscopic photogrammetry in a recently reforested stand in Kieni Forest, Kenya. A custom-built stereo camera was used to capture images of 251 trees in the study area from which the tree heights and crown diameters were successfully extracted quickly and with high accuracy. The results imply that stereoscopic photogrammetry is an accurate and reliable method that can support the national forest monitoring system and REDD+ implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porifera are essential components of marine ecosystems, providing valuable ecological functions. Traditional approaches to estimating sponge growth and biomass are destructive and often not suitable for certain morphologies. The implementation of new innovative techniques and nondestructive methodologies have allowed for a more sustainable approach. In this study, a population of Sarcotragus foetidus Schmidt, 1982 (Demospongiae, Dictyoceratida, Irciinidae), thriving inside the Portofino Marine Protected Area, was monitored using Structure from Motion photogrammetry over a period of 6 years, from September 2017 to October 2023. Of the 20 initial individuals, only 12 were still in place during the last monitoring, indicating 40% mortality. Through photogrammetry, the overall volume change and biomass production were estimated to be 9.24 ± 5.47% year−1 and 29.52 ± 27.93 g DW year−1, respectively, indicating a general decreasing trend between 2021 and 2023. Signs of necrosis were observed in some individuals, potentially related to the high temperature occurring during summer 2022 and 2023. Considering the current climate crisis, long-term monitoring efforts must be made to better understand the dynamics of this species, and photogrammetry has the potential to be a versatile monitoring tool that will contribute to the standardization of methodologies for sponge growth studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Definition: Aerial images captured with the camera optical axis deliberately inclined with respect to the vertical are defined as oblique aerial images. Throughout the evolution of aerial photography, oblique aerial images have held a prominent place since its inception. While vertical airborne images dominated in photogrammetric applications for over a century, the advancements in photogrammetry and computer vision algorithms, coupled with the growing accessibility of oblique images in the market, have propelled the rise of oblique images in recent times. Their emergence is attributed to inherent advantages they offer over vertical images. In this entry, basic definitions, geometric principles and relationships for oblique aerial images, necessary for understanding their underlying geometry, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) capture oblique point clouds in outdoor scenes that contain considerable building information. Building features extracted from images are affected by the viewing point, illumination, occlusion, noise and image conditions, which make building features difficult to extract. Currently, ground elevation changes can provide powerful aids for the extraction, and point cloud data can precisely reflect this information. Thus, oblique photogrammetry point clouds have significant research implications. Traditional building extraction methods involve the filtering and sorting of raw data to separate buildings, which cause the point clouds to lose spatial information and reduce the building extraction accuracy. Therefore, we develop an intelligent building extraction method based on deep learning that incorporates an attention mechanism module into the Samling and PointNet operations within the set abstraction layer of the PointNet++ network. To assess the efficacy of our approach, we train and extract buildings from a dataset created using UAV oblique point clouds from five regions in the city of Bengbu, China. Impressive performance metrics are achieved, including 95.7% intersection over union, 96.5% accuracy, 96.5% precision, 98.7% recall and 97.8% F1 score. And with the addition of attention mechanism, the overall training accuracy of the model is improved by about 3%. This method showcases potential for advancing the accuracy and efficiency of digital urbanization construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A multimodal computational approach was used for the 3D survey of a panel painting. • Data from close-range photogrammetry and laser microprofilometry were fused. • The warping arrow before and after restoration was quantified on the 3D point cloud. • Multi-temporal monitoring of the painting is computed via Cloud-to-Cloud distance. • Micrometric roughness of paint layers is measured by laser microprofilometry. This paper reports the results obtained from the workflow designed for the 3D survey of a Renaissance panel painting using close-range photogrammetry and conoscopic laser microprofilometry, before and after its restoration. The artwork under examination is the central panel of a Renaissance polyptych realized by a late Gothic painter active in central Italy in the late 15th century. This painting has had a rather troubled conservation history following numerous adverse events that have severely damaged it structurally. In preparation for restoration work, the fusion of point cloud data derived from active and passive sensors served to create a single multi-resolution model on which to conduct advanced metrological analyses for multi-temporal monitoring of the changes undergone by the panel painting during and after structural restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Integrated approach for multi-scale and multi-resolution diagnostics of wall paintings by the combination of wave-based and optical techniques. • Surface and subsurface investigation for the stratigraphic reconstruction of past intervention and modification. • For the first time, the microwave reflectometry is here proposed in combination with digital holographic speckle pattern interferometry for wall paintings inspection. • Proof of concept of the proposed tool on the wall paintings masterpiece of Masolino, Masaccio and Filippino Lippi in the Brancacci chapel in Firenze. Based on the analysis of the renaissance wall paintings by Masaccio, Masolino, and Filippino Lippi in the Brancacci chapel in Firenze, this paper discusses the use of complementary non-destructive techniques based on microwave and optical methods for the characterization of the structural integrity of the wall paintings and their support in masonry. The selected non-destructive techniques are the InfraRed Thermography (IRT), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Microwave Reflectometry (MWR), and Digital Holographic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (DHSPI). In particular, the paper analyses the in-situ applicability of these techniques for the identification of the sequence of past interventions during centuries (stratigraphy analysis) and decay phenomena and defects, such as out-of-plumb or swelling area/elements, detachments, cracks and voids inside the wall. The results are compared with data obtained by means of consolidated techniques and methods, such as the Photogrammetry (performed by Structure from Motion method) and knocking test. The last one is normally used by restorers and conservators to recognize the presence of detachments. The proposed diagnostic strategy provides a survey from large scale by means of imaging techniques, to small scale increasing the spatial resolution thanks to the scanning of the surface by means of spot techniques. Therefore, the macroscopic survey of wall paintings was carried out using photogrammetry, in order to also provide metric information, to quantify the sizing out-of-plumb and swelling of the masonry or to locate of cracks, and followed by IRT. This preliminary morphometric survey was, supplemented by GPR, MWR and DHSPI for improve the results of the investigation. By combining these three techniques it was possible to inspect the entire thickness of the masonry (60-70 cm) with resolutions ranging from a few millimetres up to several centimetres. The combination of microwave-based and optical-based methods proved to be a valuable addition to routine methods for the holistic masonry diagnosis. Standard practice based on visual inspection and knocking test can be significantly improved and objectified by the proposed full-field, multi-sensor, multi-resolution approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a limb suffers a fracture, rupture, or dislocation, it is traditionally immobilized with plaster. This may induce discomfort in the patient, as well as excessive itching and sweating, which creates the growth of bacteria, leading to an unhygienic environment and difficulty in keeping the injury clean during treatment. Furthermore, if the plaster remains for a long period, it may cause lesions in the joints and ligaments. To overcome all of these disadvantages, orthoses have emerged as important medical devices to help patients in rehabilitation, as well as for self-care of deficiencies in clinics and daily life. Traditionally, these devices are produced manually, which is a time-consuming and error-prone method. From another point of view, it is possible to use imageology (X-ray or computed tomography) to scan the human body; a process that may help orthoses manufacturing but which induces radiation to the patient. To overcome this great disadvantage, several types of 3D scanners, without any kind of radiation, have emerged. This article describes the use of various types of scanners capable of digitizing the human body to produce custom orthoses. Studies have shown that photogrammetry is the most used and most suitable 3D scanner for the acquisition of the human body in 3D. With this evolution of technology, it is possible to decrease the scanning time and it will be possible to introduce this technology into clinical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearshore coral reefs at Teahupo'o, Tahiti, are currently threatened by destruction from proposed plans to build a new judging tower in the reef lagoon for the 2024 Olympic surfing event. Local community members were trained to utilize 3D photogrammetry techniques to create high-resolution habitat maps of three sites that will be impacted by dredging and tower construction. The resulting orthomosaics were analyzed to quantify and characterize the coral community structure at each study site. Species diversity, coral colony count, coral colony size, and percent cover of live coral and living benthos were extracted from all survey plots. The resulting data show these sites support healthy and diverse coral communities that contribute to the ecological function of the larger reef system at Teahupo'o. The Hawai'i State Division of Aquatic Resources Penalty Matrix was used to estimate the USD value of the live corals and algae identified among the study sites and the total area that will be impacted by the planned development project. This study highlights the utility of 3D photogrammetry for effective citizen science as well as the large economic and ecological impacts that may occur if this proposed construction occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drone-based photogrammetry typically requires the task of georeferencing aerial images by detecting the center of Ground Control Points (GCPs) placed in the field. Since this is a very labor-intensive task, it could benefit greatly from automation. In this study, we explore the extent to which traditional computer vision approaches can be generalized to deal with variability in real-world drone data sets and focus on training different residual neural networks (ResNet) to improve generalization. The models were trained to detect single keypoints of fixed-sized image tiles with a historic collection of drone-based Red–Green–Blue (RGB) images with black and white GCP markers in which the center was manually labeled by experienced photogrammetry operators. Different depths of ResNets and various hyperparameters (learning rate, batch size) were tested. The best results reached sub-pixel accuracy with a mean absolute error of 0.586. The paper demonstrates that this approach to drone-based mapping is a promising and effective way to reduce the human workload required for georeferencing aerial images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pareiasaurs were among the world's first large terrestrial tetrapods, first appearing during the Guadalupian Epoch, and were later widespread across Pangea during the Lopingian where they formed a significant part of the large herbivore guild. The Bradysauria of the Lower Beaufort Group of the Karoo Basin of South Africa are among the oldest pareiasaurs, yet little is known of their palaeobiology. Here, we present the first volumetric body mass estimate and a new in vivo reconstruction of the earliest Karoo pareiasaur, and the phylogenetically basal-most pareiasaur, Bradysaurus baini, based on two almost complete adult mounted skeletons. Using 3D photogrammetric models of the two skeletons, we calculated a possible body mass range for B. baini by applying different densities for living tissue to reconstructions of differing soft tissue mass. Considering the larger adult Bradysaurus specimen, our volumetric body masses range from a minimum of 851.4 kg to a maximum of 1,276.5 kg, with an overall mean body mass of 1,022 kg, approximately the body weight of a large domestic cow. The study provides a more precise estimate of body mass in early members of Pareiasauridae, and we suggest that they were somewhat smaller than some late Permian taxa such as Scutosaurus karpinskii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heritage holds significant historical, cultural, or natural value. GIS technology integrates spatial and attribute data of heritage sites, providing a powerful modern tool for better understanding, preservation, and management of heritage resources. To reveal the progress and trends in GIS applications in heritage studies (GIS-Heritage), this study collected and analyzed 1026 relevant research articles published between 1994 and 2023 from the Web of Science database. The analysis was conducted using the VOSviewer software for bibliometric and visualization analysis. The results demonstrated that Italy has made the largest contributions in the field of GIS-Heritage. There exists a close collaboration among research institutions. Journals like the Journal of Cultural Heritage played crucial roles. The most influential authors include Brown, Agapiou, and Nicu. The key research themes identified encompass cultural heritage, GIS, sustainable development, spatial analysis, archaeology, conservation, and photogrammetry. Based on the findings of the bibliometric analysis, this paper puts forward future research recommendations in the field of GIS-Heritage, focusing on data integration, technological innovation, as well as interdisciplinary and international collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractUnmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has become an increasingly popular remote sensing platform in Antarctica. Due to the challenging natural conditions and lack of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) references in Antarctica, GNSS-supported direct georeferencing holds great potential for remote sensing applications in this region. Based on UAV surveys and GNSS observations we performed in Larsemann Hills, Antarctica, four GNSS-supported direct georeferencing schemes for UAV photogrammetry without ground control point (GCP) were designed and evaluated. Three of the schemes can generate high-accuracy photogrammetric products (horizontal accuracy: ∼0.7 ground sampling distance (GSD), vertical accuracy: ∼2.6 GSD). The fourth scheme, while exhibiting a lower accuracy at the meter-level, could offer high flexibility, and the accuracy of its derived products could be improved by post-flight transformation. The selection of an appropriate georeferencing scheme should be contingent upon the given application scenario, which can enhance the quality and accuracy of UAV photogrammetry in Antarctica. Potential applications of UAV remote sensing in Antarctica were discussed. It’s proven that UAV photogrammetry constitutes a reliable tool for Antarctic expedition path planning and ice morphology evolution monitoring. Our study demonstrated that direct georeferencing can generate high-accuracy UAV products in a reliable and feasible way in Antarctica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]