GNSS integration with vision-based navigation for low GNSS visibility conditions

In urban canyons, buildings and other structures often block the line of sight of visible Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites, which makes it difficult to obtain four or more satellites to provide a three-dimensional navigation solution. Previous studies on this operational environment have been conducted based on the assumption that GNSS is not available. However, a limited number of satellites can be used with other sensor measurements, although the number is insufficient to derive a navigation solution. The limited number of GNSS measurements can be integrated with vision-based navigation to correct navigation errors. We propose an integrated navigation system that improves the performance of vision-based navigation by integrating the limited GNSS measurements. An integrated model was designed to apply the GNSS range and range rate to vision-based navigation. The possibility of improved navigation performance was evaluated during an observability analysis based on available satellites. According to the observability analysis, each additional satellite decreased the number of unobservable states by one, while vision-based navigation always has three unobservable states. A computer simulation was conducted to verify the improvement in the navigation performance by analyzing the estimated position, which depended on the number of available satellites; additionally, an experimental test was conducted. The results showed that limited GNSS measurements can improve the positioning performance. Thus, our proposed method is expected to improve the positioning performance in urban canyons.     

Molecular identification of anisakid nematodes third stage larvae isolated from common squid (Todarodes pacificus) in Korea

The occurrence of Genus Anisakis nematode larvae in marine fishes and cephalopods is epidemiologically important because Anisakis simplex larval stage can cause a clinical disease in humans when infected hosts are consumed raw. Common squid (Todarodes pacificus) from Korean waters were investigated for anisakid nematodes infection during 2009～2011. In total, 1,556 larvae were collected from 615 common squids and 732 of them were subsequently identified by PCR-RFLP analysis of ITS rDNA. Depending on the sampling locations, the nematode larvae from common squid showed different prevalence, intensity and species distribution. A high prevalence (P) and mean intensity (MI) of infection were observed in the Yellow Sea (n = 250, P = 86.0%, MI = 5.99 larvae/host) and the southern sea of Korea (n = 126, P = 57.1%, MI = 3.36 larvae/host). Anisakis pegreffii was dominantly found in common squid from the southern sea (127/ 140, 90.7%) and the Yellow Sea (561/565, 98.9%). In contrast, the P and MI of infection were relatively low in the East Sea (n = 239, P = 8.37%, MI = 1.25 larvae/host). A. pegreffii was not found from the East Sea and 52.0% (13/25) of the nematodes were identified as A. simplex. Most of them were found in the body cavity or digestive tract of common squid, which are rarely consumed raw by humans. Considering the differenences in anisakid nematode species distribution and their microhabitat in common squid, it remains unclear whether common squid plays an important role in the epidemiology of human anisakis infection in Korea. Further extensive identification of anisakid nematodes in common squid, with geographical and seasonal information will be necessary.     

Photometric Survey of Galactic Open Clusters

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Gradual downslope change in high-resolution acoustic characters and geometry of large-scale submarine debris lobes in Ulleung Basin, East Sea (Sea of Japan), Korea

A detailed analysis of high-resolution seismic data (Chirp, 2–7 kHz) in the Ulleung Basin reveals spatial variation in echo characteristics and geometry of large-scale debris lobes. In the proximal part, the debris lobes are dominated by hummocky surface echoes and gradually transitional downslope to seafloor-tangent hyperbolic and smooth prolonged bottom echoes, reflecting progressive decrease in size, spacing, and relief of surface forms. The strongly convex-upward upper surface with steep blunt margins in the proximal part is gradually transitional downslope to slightly convex- upward or nearly flat form with less blunt margins. The gradual downslope decrease in both scale and spacing of surface forms and convexity of upper surface within each debris lobe is suggestive of progressive dilution in flow concentration within a debris flow, probably due to mixing of ambient water and removal of suspended sediment by deposition during downslope movement. Received: 3 February 1999 / Revision received: 27 April 1999     

Influence of frequency‐dependent soil–structure interaction on the fragility of R/C bridges

Bridge performance under earthquake loading can be significantly influenced by the interaction between the structure and the supporting soil. Even though the frequency dependence of the interaction mentioned in this study has long been documented, the simplifying assumption that the dynamic stiffness is dominated by the mean or predominant excitation frequency is still commonly made, primarily as a result of the associated numerical difficulties when the analysis has to be performed in the time domain. This study makes use of the advanced lumped parameter models recently developed 1 in order to quantify the impact of the assumption on the predicted fragility of bridges mentioned in this study. This is achieved by comparing the predicted vulnerability for the case of a reference, well studied, actual bridge using both conventional, frequency‐independent, Kelvin–Voigt models and the aforementioned lumped parameter formulation. Analysis results demonstrate that the more refined consideration of frequency dependence of soil–structure interaction at the piers and the abutments of a bridge not only leads to different probabilities of failure for given intensity measures but also leads to different hierarchy and distribution of damage within the structure for the same set of earthquake ground motions even if the overall probability of exceeding a given damage state is the same. The paper concludes with the comparative assessment of the effect for different soil conditions, foundation configurations, and ground motion characteristics mentioned in this study along with the relevant analysis and design recommendations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new type of troposphere zenith path delay product of the international GNSS service

The International GNSS Service (IGS) has been producing the total troposphere zenith path delay (ZPD) product that is based on combined ZPD contributions from several IGS Analysis Centers (AC) since GPS week 890 in 1997. A new approach to the production of the IGS ZPD has been proposed that replaces the direct combination of diverse ZPD products with point positioning estimates using the IGS Combined Final orbit and clock products. The new product was formally adopted in 2007 after several years of concurrent production with the legacy product. We describe here the advantages of the new approach for the IGS ZPD product, which enhance the value of the new ZPD product for climate studies. We also address the impact the IGS adoption in November 2006 of new GPS antenna phase center standards has had on the new ZPD product. Finally we describe plans to further enhance the ZPD products.     

A comparative study for the fatigue assessment of a ship structure by use of hot spot stress and structural stress approaches

Recently, a mesh-size insensitive structural stress definition (Battelle structural stress method) has been proposed. This method gives a stress state at a weld toe with a relatively coarse mesh, such as up to 2t (t=plate thickness) or irregular mesh shapes. The structural stress definition is based on the elementary structural mechanics theory and provides an effective measure of a stress state in front of a weld toe. In this present study, a fatigue strength assessment was carried out for a side shell connection of a container vessel using both the hot spot stress and the structural stress methods. A consistent approach to computing extrapolated hot spot stress for design purposes based on converged hot spot stresses is described and current fatigue guidance is evaluated. Fatigue strength predicted by the two methods, i.e. hot spot stress and structural stress approaches, at hot spot locations of a typical ship structure are compared and discussed.     

Recent Advancement in Modeling Seafloor Dissipative Mechanism in Shallow Water

In this paper, the recent development in modeling seabed dissipative mechanisms in shallow water is reviewed. Specifically, laminar and turbulent boundary layer solutions as well as viscous mud flow solutions under transient waves are presented. These analytical solutions are compared with experimental data for both solitary waves and cnoidal waves. Very goed agreement is ohtained. The Boussinesq equations with boundary layer effects and the muddy seabed effects are also shown.     

Identification of Albula sp. (Albulidae: Albuliformes) Leptocephalus Collected from the Southern Coastal Waters of Korea using Cytochrome b DNA Sequences

A single specimen ofAlbula leptocephalus (55.7 mm SL) was collected from the southern coastal waters of Korea using an aquatic lamp. It is characterized by having a ribbonlike body with a small head and a well-forked caudal fin. Although the general appearance was similar to the leptocephalus ofA. vulpes including myomere counts and fin ray counts, the melanophore deposition was different from that ofA. vulpes. This leptocephalus specimen was confirmed withA. forsteri using the cytochrome b mtDNA (Cytb) analysis. The genetic distance ofCytb between the present leptocephalus andA. forsteri is 0.006-0.038, which falls into the cutoff point separatingAlbula species into eight deep lineages including the four valid species. Its genetic characteristic have more similarities to those of Fiji than those of Hawaii and the Northern territory of Australia.